Dear Friend-
The story goes that a race was organised by the Jade Emperor, who invited all the animals in the world to participate. The Jade Emperor declared that twelve animals were able to sign up. The order they passed the finish line would determine the order of the zodiac year designated to each animal.
Cat liked to sleep in, so he asked his best friend Rat to wake him up on the registration day. However, when the morning came, Rat purposely didn’t wake up Cat to secure his own spot in the race. This resulted in the Cat missing his chance to sign up, which is why there is no Cat in the lunar calendar.
Realising that he needed to cross a river to the finish line, Rat offered to sing Ox a song of encouragement to use Ox’s ear as a boat across the river. After almost crossing the river, he dashed towards the finish line before Ox could get out of the water. The quick-witted Rat won his place as the first lunar animal, and the diligent Ox came second. Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth. Next came the Dragon, with Snake one spot behind, followed by Horse and Sheep. Monkey had fallen behind but made up ground to come ninth, while Rooster, Dog and Pig filled the final three places” ( Behind the Chinese Zodiac).
And Cat? Mad at his friend, he still holds a grudge to this day. And according to the legend, that’s why cats hunt rats.
Dear Letterbox.
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