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Story Corner
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
Once upon a time, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of showing the passing of the years. He decided to hold a swimming race to decide how to name each year. The first twelve animals across the dangerous river would be the winners and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.
All the animals lined up along the side of the river. The cat and the rat were worried because they could not swim very well. But they had a really clever idea. They decided to ask the strong ox if he would carry them.
'No problem' said the generous ox. 'Climb aboard and I will carry you.'
They both leapt up and were very excited when the ox took the lead in the race. They were almost finished when the rat shoved the cat into the river leaving him to struggle in the water. Just as the ox was about to win the race, the rat scampered onto his head and on to the bank to finish in first place.
'Very good,' said the Jade Emperor, 'the first year of the zodiac will be named after the rat!'
Poor ox had been tricked and missed his chance to win the race. Instead the Second year of the zodiac was named after him.
Not long after the worn out tiger pulled himself out of the water to win third place. The swim had been very difficult for him as he struggled against the strong currents. The Emperor was so pleased with his effort that he named the third year after him.
Next up was the rabbit, who hadn't swum at all. He managed to hop across on some stepping stones and then found a floating branch which he rode to the shore.
'The fourth year shall be the Year of the Rabbit.' said the Jade Emperor, a little surprised.
Just then a kind dragon glided down to the ground in fifth place.
'Well done,' said the Jade Emperor, 'the fifth year shall be named after you. But as you can fly, why didn't you come first?'
'It took me a little longer than expected,' began the dragon, 'because I needed to make rain for some thirsty people. Then when I was about to finish, I saw a little rabbit riding a branch who was struggling to reach the safety of the river bank. I decided to help by blowing a puff of wind to send the branch in the right direction.'
Then the rumble of horse's hooves made the Jade Emperor look up. Just as he thought the horse would take the next place, a sly snake slipped out from the undergrowth. The horse was so surprised that he jumped backwards giving the snake a chance to take the sixth place in the race. The poor horse had to be satisfied with seventh place.
Soon afterwards a boat made from branches and reeds landed carrying the ram, the monkey and the rooster. They explained to the Emperor how they had built the boat and taken it in turns to row it across the river. The Emperor was very pleased that the animals had worked together. He said the goat would be the eighth zodiac animal, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth.
The next animal to finish was the dog.
'What took you so long?' asked the Jade Emperor.
'It is very hot today, especially in my thick fur coat. The water was so cool and clean, I had to stop and take a bath on my way!' explained the dog.
So the dog had the eleventh year of the zodiac named after him.
The Jade Emperor had just one place left in the zodiac, but it seemed like no one would come to claim it. He was just about to give up when he heard a snort from the pig.
'You're lucky I'm still here!' said the Emperor to the pig.
'I got so hungry that I decided to stop for a little snack.' explained the pig, 'Then the food made me so sleepy that I had to have a little nap.'
'Oh well,' said the Jade Emperor. 'You still managed to make it across. The last year of the zodiac will be named after you.'
As for the poor cat, who had been pushed in the river by the naughty rat, he finally pulled himself out of the water but by then all the years of the zodiac had been taken. He felt very angry with the rat and since then cats and rats have not been friends.
And from that day to this, all the years of the zodiac have been named after these animals.
All the animals lined up along the side of the river. The cat and the rat were worried because they could not swim very well. But they had a really clever idea. They decided to ask the strong ox if he would carry them.
'No problem' said the generous ox. 'Climb aboard and I will carry you.'
They both leapt up and were very excited when the ox took the lead in the race. They were almost finished when the rat shoved the cat into the river leaving him to struggle in the water. Just as the ox was about to win the race, the rat scampered onto his head and on to the bank to finish in first place.
'Very good,' said the Jade Emperor, 'the first year of the zodiac will be named after the rat!'
Poor ox had been tricked and missed his chance to win the race. Instead the Second year of the zodiac was named after him.
Not long after the worn out tiger pulled himself out of the water to win third place. The swim had been very difficult for him as he struggled against the strong currents. The Emperor was so pleased with his effort that he named the third year after him.
Next up was the rabbit, who hadn't swum at all. He managed to hop across on some stepping stones and then found a floating branch which he rode to the shore.
'The fourth year shall be the Year of the Rabbit.' said the Jade Emperor, a little surprised.
Just then a kind dragon glided down to the ground in fifth place.
'Well done,' said the Jade Emperor, 'the fifth year shall be named after you. But as you can fly, why didn't you come first?'
'It took me a little longer than expected,' began the dragon, 'because I needed to make rain for some thirsty people. Then when I was about to finish, I saw a little rabbit riding a branch who was struggling to reach the safety of the river bank. I decided to help by blowing a puff of wind to send the branch in the right direction.'
Then the rumble of horse's hooves made the Jade Emperor look up. Just as he thought the horse would take the next place, a sly snake slipped out from the undergrowth. The horse was so surprised that he jumped backwards giving the snake a chance to take the sixth place in the race. The poor horse had to be satisfied with seventh place.
Soon afterwards a boat made from branches and reeds landed carrying the ram, the monkey and the rooster. They explained to the Emperor how they had built the boat and taken it in turns to row it across the river. The Emperor was very pleased that the animals had worked together. He said the goat would be the eighth zodiac animal, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth.
The next animal to finish was the dog.
'What took you so long?' asked the Jade Emperor.
'It is very hot today, especially in my thick fur coat. The water was so cool and clean, I had to stop and take a bath on my way!' explained the dog.
So the dog had the eleventh year of the zodiac named after him.
The Jade Emperor had just one place left in the zodiac, but it seemed like no one would come to claim it. He was just about to give up when he heard a snort from the pig.
'You're lucky I'm still here!' said the Emperor to the pig.
'I got so hungry that I decided to stop for a little snack.' explained the pig, 'Then the food made me so sleepy that I had to have a little nap.'
'Oh well,' said the Jade Emperor. 'You still managed to make it across. The last year of the zodiac will be named after you.'
As for the poor cat, who had been pushed in the river by the naughty rat, he finally pulled himself out of the water but by then all the years of the zodiac had been taken. He felt very angry with the rat and since then cats and rats have not been friends.
And from that day to this, all the years of the zodiac have been named after these animals.
Motherbridge of Love
For a more modern story, click here to listen to Motherbridge of Love, a beautiful story of Eastern and Western lives crossing by Chinese author Xinran.
Click here to play the animation >
Click here to play the animation >
