Long ago, in a celestial era before the concept of years or months existed to guide the human world, the Jade Emperor looked down from his throne in the Heavens and noticed the confusion of the mortals. They had no way to mark the seasons or celebrate their ages, and the passage of time was like a flowing river without a bank. Deciding to bring order to the chaos, the Emperor declared a Great Race. He sent a divine messenger to all the corners of the earth to announce that the first twelve animals to cross the wide, turbulent river and reach the finish line at the Heavenly Gate would be honored as the guardians of the new calendar, each representing one year in a twelve-year cycle.
Among the animals, the news sparked a flurry of excitement and rivalry. The Rat was the most ambitious of all, but he was also the most pragmatic. Looking at his small paws and short tail, he knew that the river's current would surely sweep him away if he tried to swim it alone. He needed a strategy. At the time, the Rat and the Cat were the best of friends. They spent their days together sharing food and stories. They both realized that as poor swimmers, they needed to collaborate to secure a spot in the zodiac. They approached the Ox, who was known throughout the land for his immense strength, steady pace, and generous spirit. 'Brother Ox,' the Rat squeaked, his voice full of feigned humility. 'We are small and the river is deep. If you allow us to ride on your broad back, we can guide you with our sharp eyes, and together we shall all arrive at the Heavenly Gate before the sun reaches its zenith.'
The Ox, being a creature of simple honesty and great kindness, agreed to the proposal without a second thought. He took pride in his ability to help others and believed that there was plenty of room for all of them in the Emperor's court. As the day of the Great Race dawned, the sky was painted in shades of gold and vermilion. A vast crowd of animals gathered at the starting line on the riverbank. The Tiger roared with confidence, the Horse paced impatiently, and the Dragon hovered in the clouds, waiting for the signal. When the Jade Emperor raised his hand, the race began. The noise of trampling hooves and flapping wings filled the air. The Ox waded into the water with steady, powerful strides, the Rat and the Cat perched safely upon his neck. The water was icy and the current whipped against the Ox's sturdy legs, but he did not falter. He focused on the distant shore, where the Heavenly Gate shimmered like a pearl.
As they reached the midpoint of the river, the Rat's ambition began to outweigh his loyalty. He looked at the Cat, who was squinting against the spray of the water, and realized that if the Cat arrived at the same time, the Cat might leap ahead and take one of the coveted spots. In a moment of cold calculation, the Rat nudged the Cat, causing the feline to lose his balance and tumble into the swirling depths of the river. The Cat cried out in shock, but the Rat did not look back. The Ox, unaware of the Rat's betrayal due to the loud roar of the water, continued to push forward. He was nearing the bank, and his muscles were weary from the effort of carrying the extra weight against the heavy flow. The Ox could see the Jade Emperor standing by the finish line, a smile of welcome on his face.
Just as the Ox was about to step onto the muddy bank, a mere breath away from victory, the Rat scurried up the Ox's neck and onto his broad, wet nose. With a sudden, explosive burst of energy, the Rat launched himself through the air. He landed with a soft thud on the dry earth, right at the Emperor's feet, just seconds before the Ox's hoof touched the ground. The Emperor laughed and announced, 'The Rat is first! A clever creature indeed.' The Ox, though surprised by the sudden movement and slightly disappointed to be overtaken at the last moment, simply bowed his head in acceptance. He was the second to arrive, followed closely by the powerful Tiger, who had fought the current with all his might. Then came the Rabbit, who had crossed by hopping on stones and a floating log, and the Dragon, who had stopped to bring rain to a parched village before finishing fifth.