2012 is the year of Dragon. There are a total of 12 animals representing each year: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Why do they represent each year? Why do they list in this sequence? Why does Mouse become number one? We can find the answer in the Chinese fairy tale:Long time ago, God gathered all animals together, and said: “I’ll choose twelve of you, to be in charge of the world of every year in rotation. There will be a swimming competition on the first day of next year. The first twelve animals who can swim to the tempo from the other side of the river, will be the King for each year in turn.”
All animals wanted to be the King. Cat told her best friend, Mouse: “I can’t swim, what can I do?”. Mouse said: “It’s ok. Brother Ox is good at swimming, he can pick us up to the tempo.”
It was the day of swimming competition, all animals were ready. Cat and Mouse sat on Ox’s back, he swam very fast. When they were near the tempo, Mouse gave her best friend a hard kick, Cat dropped from Ox’s back. “Help!”, she was in the river but no one helped her.
Just one step to the tempo, Mouse jumped-off from Ox’s back and ran to it, “I am the number one! Number one!” Mouse said happily.
After that, other animals came to the tempo one by one. God said: “There are twelve of you chosen to be the King of the world for each year in turn, the first one is Mouse, and then is Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, the last but not least is Pig.”
Meanwhile, Cat was wet from head to toe, came to the tempo and asked God, “How about me?”, “You’re too late, the competition is over!” said God.
“Mouse, you’re a cheater!!!” Cat was angry. Mouse ran away immediately. Cat and Mouse were not best friends anymore.
Swedish girl asked me after reading it: "Does the Chinese traditional stories tell more of what happened to the cat after the competition?"
The answer is "No"! LOL
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