Chinese Zodiac

A long time ago, the Jade Emperor decided mankind needed a calendar to measure the passing of time. Each year of the cycle would be represented by an animal. To decide the order, the Emperor would host a swim race across a river wide and deep. Back in those days, Rat and Cat were the best of friends. They were the most intelligent and resourceful of all the animals, but also the worst swimmers. Ox lined up on the bank with the other animals in the race. As he entered the icy water, Rat and Cat asked if they could ride on his back. Being good-natured and kind, Ox obliged. Rat was desperate to win the race. He wanted to be the best animal in the eyes of the Emperor. Cat had always been Emperor’s favourite. Rat resented that, and would often see Cat rolling on her back and smiling widely in Rat’s direction while the old man stroked her belly.

Usually amiable and kind, in that moment on the back of Ox something changed. Ambition coursed through his rat veins and a treacherous thought ran across his rat mind. Ox was making good progress across the river, pulling ahead of Tiger and Rabbit. Cat, who was scared of water, was looking nervously across the water to the bank on the other side. Rat glared at his friend. Now was the moment. In a flash, Rat charged at Cat. Off balance, Cat fell off Ox’s back and into the river, sinking into the murky depths. As they neared the bank, Rat scampered down Ox’s bovine spine, on to the tip of his nose, and to dry land. Rat had won the race. A bewildered Ox took second, followed by Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Much later, a half-drowned Cat staggered onto the bank. She would never be a sign of the Zodiac and never forgive Rat’s treachery.

So that’s how Rat became the first sign of the Zodiac. But in doing so, he had made Cat an enemy forever.