Children can write their own version of the story using our Chinese Zodiac story paper, available both lines and with handwriting lines. Chinese zodiac story paperNEW!
How the 12 years of the Chinese Zodiac got their names
Many people have wondered over the years how it was that the rat, the
smallest of all the creatures, was given the honour of having the first year of
the Chinese Zodiac named after him. This is the story I have heard.
A very long time ago, the Jade Emperor, who ruled the heavens of China, sent
a message to all the animals asking them to come together so that he could give
each of them a year, which would make it easier for the people of China to keep
track of time. The cat and the rat were good friends and decided to travel to
meet the Jade Emperor together.
When it came time to leave, however, the cat was taking a nap. The rat,
realising that he would have to use all his cunning to be noticed by the Jade
Emperor, left his friend sleeping, and set off on his own. This is why there is
no year named after the cat, and also why cats have hated rats ever since.
When the rat arrived, the Jade Emperor welcomed him and the other animals and
told them that they should all take part in a swimming race. Once again, the rat
realised that he would have to be very clever if he wanted to win the race. He
found the largest, strongest animal, which was the ox, and pleaded with him to
let him ride on its head. The ox was kind and strong, and agreed that they would
swim across together. The rat travelled safely across the river on the ox’s
back, but, just before they reached the other side, climbed over the ox's head,
jumped onto land, and reached the finish line first. The rat had proved its
cunning, and the
Jade Emperor named the first year after the rat and the second year after the
ox.
"If I had my life to live over I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains." Erma Bombeck
"Whoever you are, there is some younger person who thinks you
are perfect. There is some work that will never be done if you
don't do it. There is someone who would miss you if you were
gone. There is a place that you alone can fill." Jacob M. Braude
