Folklore has it that a long, long time ago, the Jade Emperor wanted to have 12 animals to guard the palace. So, he sent an immortal being into the man’s world to tell the animals that whoever comes first to the Emperor will have a better rank in the palace.
The next day, the quick-witted rat and the diligent ox got up early to rank first. They have to pass through a river before getting into the Heavenly Gate. The current in the river stopped the rat from crossing through; however, the rat noticed the ox by the river so he jumped into his ears and together, they race through the emperor. The ox, being as diligent as he was, did not mind carrying the rat with him. Suddenly, the rat jumped out of the Ox’s ears after they’ve crossed the river and sprinted towards the emperor’s feet. The rat ranked first, and the ox came second.
The fast Tiger came in third while the competitive Rabbit who crossed the river by hopping on stones and a floating log was placed fourth.
The good-looking Dragon and the crafty Snake ranked fifth and sixth. Upon the dragon’s arrival, the Emperor expected that the dragon’s son could be the sixth since he could travel fast by flying. However, the dragon’s son did not come so the cunning snake slithered his way to the Emperor, claimed the dragon as his adoptive father, and was rated sixth.
The kind and modest Horse and Goat were too polite and had let the other go first. The Emperor, seeing their character, named them seventh and eight respectively.
The monkey jumped from one tree to another and claimed the ninth spot.
The rooster, dog, and pig fell behind and were placed tenth, eleventh, and twelfth.
