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The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor ordered all the animals to have a race to determine who shall be the guards to the heavenly gate. On his birthday, he told the animals there will a race across the river. The first 12 animals will be selected and will have a zodiac named after them.
All the animals were very excited and lined up on the river bank early. The rat and the cat, who were good friends back then, were worried because of the strong current in the river. They asked the ox if he would carry them across the river.
The kind-hearted ox did not mind at all. He was strong and soon took the lead. Out of the blue, the cunning rat pushed the cat in the river, leaving him to struggle. After crossing it, the ox ran towards the Jade Emperor.
Suddenly, the rat jumped off the ox's head and rushed to the feet of the Jade Emperor. He won the race. The poor ox was tricked into second place followed by the tiger.
Next to finish was the rabbit. He didn’t swim at all! Instead he hopped across some stepping stones and floating logs which carried him on to the shore.
Next to arrive was the dragon. He could have won the race easily as he can fly. Instead, he stopped to make some rain for the local people and also helped the rabbit by blowing the logs across the river.
Next to cross the river was the horse. He was about to reach the finishing line when the sneaky snake, wrapped around the horse’s hooves, jumped out to finish before him.
The sheep, monkey and the rooster worked together as they found a raft and finished shortly after the horse.
The dog also made it. He was a good swimmer but lingered as the water was so clean and refreshing.
The pig was last to arrive. He was then named the final member of the zodiac.
As for the cat, he struggled to crawl himself out of the river and finished too late to have a zodiac named after him. He was very angry and since then, cats have never been friends with rats.
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