1. The Story of Chinese Zodiac

2. Long, long time ago, people always forgot in which year they were born and could not figure out exactly how old they were.

3. The Jade Emperor came up with an idea. It’s too difficult to remember a year. It would be easier to remember an animal. Why don’t we choose twelve animals to represent the years?

4. 福德宮 The Jade Emperor asked the Earth God to tell every animal how to be chosen as one of the animals for the twelve signs of the zodiac.

5. 玉皇大帝公告 The river- crossing race All animals are welcome to compete. The first twelve animals across the finish line will be chosen as the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.

6. After the announcement, all the animals got very excited and everyone was talking about the race.

7. At that time, the cat and the rat were very good friends. They met to discuss the race. Let’s join the ox, We can point the way and he can carry us across the river. We can’t swim. How are we gonna cross the river?

8. The cat and the rat went to see the ox. The ox said okay at once.

9. The day of the race soon came. Early that morning, before therooster woke up, the ox, the cat and the rat were already at theriverside. 十 十 二 生 肖 渡 河 比 賽 二 生 肖 渡 河 比 賽

10. The cat and the rat climbed onto the back of the ox. And then they started swimming across the river.

11. The cat became sleepy because he got up so early that morning. He fell asleep as soon as he got on top of the ox’s back.

12. How eager the rat wanted to win first place. When the ox was a few second away from the opposite bank of the river, the rat pushed the cat into the water and went into one of the ox’s ears.

13. The ox had no idea of what had just happened but heard the rat saying “ Big Brother Ox, Go! Go! Go! We are almost there! We can make it.”

14. The ox climbed up the shore and ran to the finish line. The rat jumped out of the ox’s ear and rushed to the finish line to win first place.

15. The ox was very angry. Ever since then, the ox always looked at the rat with his enormous eyes.

16. Then came the tiger. The tiger was roaring,” I am the first, right?”” No, you are the third,” said the Jade Emperor.

17. A whirlwind came in the sky as the dragonarrived.

18. But therabbitsprinted ahead and took the forth place. The rabbit could not swim but jumped across the river on the backs of the other animals.

19. I had gone to the South China Sea to host a rainmaking ceremony and rushedback in a hurry but was too late. 降 雨 大 典 You could fly. Why did you arrive so late?

20. The sky was filled with flying dust. The horse was dashing at full speed, but as he was about to cross the finish line, the snakesuddenly shot through to come in sixth. Poor horse.

21. Originally, the snake had legs, but he raced so hard, he ran his legs off. Originally, the horse was very bold and brave, but after being scared by the snake, he became very shy.

22. Working together, the goat, the monkey and the rooster rowed on a log. As a result, they earned themselves eighth, ninth, and tenth places respectively.

23. Then came thedog. He was a playfulfellow. As he crossed the river, he had such a good time in the water that he forgot the time. 十一

24. Only one openingwas left. All the people wanted to see who was in the lead. The pig arrived and said I’m starving, Is there any food to eat here?

25. 五 三 二 四 六 九 一 七 十 一 八 The race was over. The Jade Emperor at once announced the places of the twelve animals in the zodiac. 十 十 二

26. At that time, the cat arrived dripping wet. What is my place? You came in thirteenth.

27. The cat was mad. “ You bad rat!” He said. “ I won’t spare you!” The cat slapped the rat across the face and knocked out all of his teeth except the two in front.

28. Today when the rat sees the cat’sshadow, he runs like crazy. Even in daytime he hides in a hole, not daring to show his face.

29. The End

30. Jade Emperor 玉皇大帝

31. Earth God 土地公 福 德 宮

32. Rat 鼠

33. ox 牛

34. tiger 老虎

35. Rabbit 兔子

36. dragon 龍

37. snake 蛇

38. 馬 horse

39. goat 羊

40. monkey 猴子

41. rooster 雞

42. dog 狗

43. Pig 豬

44. Animal 動物

45. 五 三 二 一 四 六 九 七 十 一 八 中國生肖 十 二 十 Chinese zodiac

46. finish line 終點

47. river 河川

48. 玉皇大帝公告 announcement 公 告

49. riverside 河 邊

50. whirlwind 旋 風