玉兔捣药这个传说是从嫦娥奔月延续下来的。在这个传说中，有三个神仙，化身为可怜的老人。有一天，他们遇到了一只狐狸，猴子和兔子，便向它们乞食。狐狸和猴子都与老人们分享了自己的食物，但是兔子什么也没有，就跳入烈火中，贡献了自己的肉。神仙们被兔子的善良深深打动，将它送到了广寒宫成了玉兔。到月宫后独自生活的嫦娥，在看到玉兔的第一眼就喜欢上了它，与之为伴。随着时间的流逝，嫦娥和玉兔成为了形影不离的朋友。

This legend is considered to be an extension of Chang'e Flying to the Moon. It tells about three sages who transformed themselves into pitiful old men. One day they met a fox, a monkey and a rabbit, and they begged for food. The fox and the monkey shared their food with the old men; but the rabbit, with nothing to share, jumped into a blazing fire to offer his own flesh instead. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's kindness that they sent it to live in the Moon Palace, where it became the Jade Rabbit. Chang'e, who lived alone after arriving in the moon, liked the Jade Rabbit at the first sight, and therefore kept it company. As the time went by, Chang'e and Jade Rabbit became inseparable friends.

听闻了嫦娥和后羿的故事后，玉兔非常同情他们，决定捣制一种特别的仙药，来帮助嫦娥重返人间。不幸的是，捣药捣了几千年，它仍然没有成功。如今我们在中秋节认真赏月时，还是可以看到玉兔正在月宫上捣制仙药的场面。

Hearing about the story of Chang'e and Hou Yi, the Jade Rabbit felt sympathetic to them and decided to make a special heavenly medicine, which could help Chang'e return to Earth. Unfortunately, the Jade Rabbit has still not been able to make it even though he has worked hard for thousands of years. Observing the moon on the Mid-Autumn Day carefully, we can still see the Jade Rabbit making his heavenly medicine.