The ox's strength

Once upon a time, there lived a being known as the Jade Emperor. He served as one of China's most popular deities and has been referred to as , The Ruler of the heavens. He was in the middle of creating the calendar (which we later will call The Lunar Calendar) to help the humans of earth mark dates for festivals and decide on periods for such imperative events (such as weddings, funerals and birthdays).

To make things more festive, he had decided to name the years after the animals on earth. The problem with that, was that earth was filled with so many unique animals, that he had a hard time choosing. So, he called in his 12 children (6 sons and 6 daughters).

The first child to choose was The Emperor's born son. His name was Shan. Shan was a strong, diligent and inspired confidence in his younger siblings. Shan had suggested the ox to be used as one of the animals. The ox is a strong animal that people use everyday for farm work as well as transportation. Not only that, but the ox provides use in his departure by having his flesh be served to the humans. He felt it was the most logical choice.

The next child to choose was his first born daughter, Feng. She was beautiful, free spirited and energetic. Feng had suggested the horse to be used as one of the animals. The horse have been used as graceful steeds and naturally free spirited. She felt the horse would make a lovely addition to her father's calendar.

After Feng, The Emperor's second born son, Lei was selected to choose next. Lei was kind, benevolent and imaginative. Lei's animal of choice was the tiger. He had selected the tiger because tigers have inspired courage for many years. Not only that, they are fierce hunters that help regulate the population of other animals. He had felt that the tiger was the most obvious choice.

Once Lei had selected his animal, The Emperor's second born daughter, Shu was allowed to pick. Shu was independent, honest and rather brilliant. Her animal of choice, was the monkey. Monkeys are crafty creatures that have a diverse palate. Not to mention the fact that they live in tightly nit groups. She had felt that the monkey would be the most unique option.

After Shu, the next eldest son, Yanshi, was allowed to pick his animal. Yanshi was loyal, responsible and lively. His animal of choice, was the dog. Dogs have been very loyal to humans. They not only hunt with them, but protect their masters home from any incoming threats. He felt that the dog was the most well earned selection.

Next was The emperor's third eldest daughter, Yinmai. Yinmai was social, compassionate and gentle. Her animal of choice was the sheep. Sheep have been used as clothing material for the finest garments she has ever seen. Not only that, but their milk and meat are quite exquisite. She had felt the sheep was the most notable choice.

Following up with Yinmai, was The Emperor's third youngest son, Jinshu. Jinshu was sincere, responsible and generous. His animal of choice, was the boar. He had seen boars to be proud warriors of their domain and are not one to shy away from a fight. Much like the sheep and the ox, their meat is also very tasty. He felt that the boar is the most honorable of choices.

After Yinmai, was The Emperor's third youngest daughter, Shui. Shui was calm, modest and perceptive. Her animal of choice was the serpent. She had explained that serpents are fascinating creatures who help keep the local rodent population in check so that they don't spread disease to the humans below. Not only that, but it would be nice to have a reptile in this otherwise mammalian centric list. She felt that the serpent was the most sensible choice.

Proceeding Yinmai, was The Emperor's second youngest son, Huo. Huo was determined, popular and ambitious. His animal of choice, was the dragon. Dragons have been seen as strong and powerful creatures that provide wisdom to others. Not only that, but they are pleasant to look at. He thought the dragon would be a fine addition to the calendar.

After Yinmai, was The Emperor's second youngest daughter, Yewan. Yewan was witty, gracious and optimistic. Her animal of choice, was the rabbit. Much like the sheep, rabbits fleece and meat have been used by the humans. Rabbits are also very cautious and provide food for larger animals. She thought the rabbit would be a noble choice.

After Yinmai, was The Emperor's youngest son, Zoachen. Zoachen was outgoing, humorous and punctual. His animal of choice was the rooster. Roosters help people start their day and have been seen as a very lucky animal. Not to mention, it would behoove them to have at least one bird in the mix. He felt that the rooster was a wise decision.

The last child to make their decision was The Emperor's youngest daughter (and child for that matter), Caodi. Caodi was savvy, positive and has versatile in many fields. She saw that rats were creatures who were constantly alert and provided a food source for many larger animals. She had felt that the rat is the most exceptional of animals.

Naturally, her siblings laughed at the animal she had picked. Nonetheless, it was the last animal to be approved for the calendar. The Jade Emperor than asked his children what order they should be in. To which, all of The Emperor's children got at each other's throats. To which, The Emperor stopped their fighting and told them that if they don't stop, none of their animals would be selected. At which point, their arguing came to a halt.

The Emperor then said, he felt the best way to determine which animals would serve best at each rank, is to have a race. The animal that finishes first, will get the first ranking, the second would get the second ranking, the third will get the third ranking and so on and so forth.

The Emperor had ordered his children to select one member of the animal race that they had selected to race on their behalf. The children had spread across China to find a worthy animal of running the race. This was a lengthy process. There were many animals of each of the races they had selected. During their search, The Emperor was busy designing a race track for the animals to race on.

A week had passed and The Emperor had finished the race track. Each sibling had the animal of their choosing, ready to race. The race began in with a road that the humans themselves have walked on. It continued into a tropical forest, led onto a marsh, went up the side of a small mountain and ended in a grassland plain with the finish line at the end of it.

The Emperor had told the animals they were brought here to run the race. The purpose of this race was to figure out the placing of the calendar he had wished to create. The first animal to cross the finish line, will get the first year named after them. The second will get the next year named after them and so on and so forth.

The animals were lined up and ready that tiger had roared and said, if anyone finishes before him, he would eat them. The ox, horse and dragon were not phased by his words. The Emperor had clapped his hands (which sounded like thunder) to announce that the animals may start the race. The horse, tiger, dragon and ox took the lead. Following, were the boar, the sheep, dog and rabbit. Bringing up the pack were the snake, the monkey, the rooster and the rat in dead last.

The rat knew that she wouldn't come out first if she competed in the same way that the other animals were competing. So, she decided to play to her strengths. When the animals made it to the tropical forest portion, the tiger, monkey, snake, boar, rabbit and rat had a much easier time of it. The ox, horse, rooster, sheep and dog didn't find it as easy, but manageable. The dragon had a much more difficult time of it, due to his large size.

The tiger was the first one to exit the tropical forest. Then the rat (who was hanging on to the tiger's tail, then the monkey then the serpent, then the ox, than the horse, than the dog, the sheep, rooster and then the dragon.

Upon the marsh, the dragon, horse, tiger, boar, dog, snake, ox and dragon entered the water without hesitation. The sheep, the monkey, the rabbit and the rat were more reluctant to do so. The rat however got off the tiger and hoped aboard the ox (who took the lead). The ox was to busy noticing the gap between him and the other animals, he didn't notice the rat that was on his horns.

The ox (and rat) were the first ones to exit the marsh. The ox ran up the side of the mountain. Being followed by the tiger, the dragon, the horse, the snake, the dog, the boar, the rabbit, the sheep and bringing up the pack was the monkey.

Upon entering the side of the mountain, only the rooster and the monkey had encountered difficulties. The other animals were clearly gaining momentum.

The ox and the rat were the first ones up the mountain. Followed by the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the dog, the boar, the monkey and the rooster in that order.

The last obstacle were the meadow plains. The ox cleared it with no difficulty. He was so proud of himself for finishing first, as he was about to cross the finish line, the rat jumped of his horns and crossed the finish line in front of him.

Following the rat and ox were the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the boar. In that order. As the last animal crossed the finish line, Shan had declared that the rat cheated. She used the ox's strength to advance to first place.

To which The Emperor said, the rat used the ox's strength. That is correct. If you recall however, I had said the first animal to cross the finish line would get the first year named after them. I never said how they should do it. Both Shan and his animal grunt in dismay. The race also proved that it is always to work smarter, not harder.