Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor in the heavens decided to select animals that could have a positive influence on the human world, assigning each animal to rule over a year. To do this, the Jade Emperor held a race and decided to pick 12 animals that finished the race first.
On the day of the race, the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. The animals gathered at the starting line, waiting for the Jade Emperor’s signal. As soon as the Jade Emperor shouted, “Ready, set, go!” all the animals started running with all their might.
The sturdy ox was the first to burst out from the starting line. Due to its diligent and consistent nature, the ox quickly moved forward. However, a small rat had already devised a plan. The rat secretly climbed onto the ox’s back, using the ox’s strength to participate in the race.
Unaware of the rat on its back, the ox ran earnestly. The other animals also continued the race at their own pace. The tiger, boasting its agile strides, cut through the wind, while the rabbit nimbly avoided obstacles and progressed forward.
As the race neared its end, the ox was almost at the finish line. At that moment, the rat seized the opportunity, jumping off the ox’s back and crossing the finish line first. Thus, the rat became the first animal to arrive, securing the first spot.
Eventually, the ox followed the rat, arriving second. Although the ox felt tricked, it couldn’t deny the rat’s wisdom and wit. After the rat and ox crossed the finish line, the tiger arrived third with strong steps. Following that, the nimble rabbit secured the fourth spot.
The fifth animal to arrive was the dragon. Despite its ability to fly in the sky, the dragon arrived slightly late because it stopped to bring rain along the way.
The sixth animal to arrive was the snake. The snake had secretly hidden in the horse’s hooves and jumped out at the last moment to cross the finish line. The horse then secured the seventh spot.
The goat arrived eighth. Next, the monkey, performing various tricks, secured the ninth spot. The rooster, after helping people along the way, arrived tenth.
The dog, although it ran joyfully until the last moment, secured the eleventh spot. Finally, the pig arrived, securing the twelfth spot.