Many moons ago the people of China had no calendar With no way to measure time nobody could tell one year from the next Something must be done said the Jade Emperor the King of Heaven will start a calendar and name each year after a different animal But how can choose which order the animals should come in
I I'll hold a race the Jade Emperor decided Yes a swimming race across a wide river will name the years in the order that the animals finish The first year of our new calendar shall be named after the winner He invited every creature in the kingdom to compete
Back then Rat and Cat were best of friends They journeyed to the river together in great excitement But when they arrived their spirits dropped The river was strong and swift It rushed past with a deafening roar And just look at all the other animals wailed Cat
