这年除夕，桃花村的人们正扶老携幼上山避难，从村外来了个乞讨的老人，只见他手拄拐杖，臂搭袋囊，银须飘逸，目若朗星。乡亲们有的封窗锁门，有的收拾行装，有的牵牛赶羊，到处人喊马嘶，一片匆忙恐慌景象。这时，谁还有心关照这位乞讨的老人。只有村东头一位老婆婆给了老人些食物，并劝他快上山躲避“年” 兽，那老人捋髯笑道：婆婆若让我在家呆一夜，我一定把“年”兽撵走。老婆婆惊目细看，见他鹤发童颜、精神矍铄，气宇不凡。可她仍然继续劝说，乞讨老人笑而不语。婆婆无奈，只好撇下家，上山避难去了。
The middle of the night, "years" to break into the village of animals. It found that the village atmosphere, unlike in previous years: the first lady Village home, the door paste big red, brightly lit candles inside the house. "Year" all animalsa bang. "Year" towards mother-in-law home glower moment, then head over the pastforward. Almost at the entrance to the hospital from a sudden "bang flap" sound of bombing, "year" every tremble, and then move forward together a dare. In fact, "year" fear red flames and炸响. At this time, opening the door to let mother-in-law's house, wearing only a hospital Dahongpao elderly laughter. "Year" scaring the daylights out, embarrassed fled the spurt.