The Emperor’s Calendar

Long ago in China there was a wise Emperor. He wanted to make a calendar.

“My calendar will have twelve years,” he said. “Every year will be named for an animal.” He liked animals a lot.

“I will hold a race to decide which animals to use on the calendar,” he said.

Cat and Rat also lived in China.

“Rat! Rat!” Cat cried. “Listen to this!”

“There’s a big race across the river!” said Cat. “The winners get to be on the Emperor’s calendar!”

Cat was excited. “I want to win the race,” he said. “Then the first year will be named for me!”

“Year of the Cat sounds good,” said Rat. But Rat secretly thought that the Year of the Rat sounded better.