No Year of the Cat (2 page)

Ox lumbered up, still dripping water. “Congratulations!” said the emperor. “You are number two.” Ox's poor brain did not register that only one of his companions was there.

Just then Tiger arrived with drooping tail. The emperor expressed surprise. “You are number three,” he said. “I expected you to be first.”

“I was caught in a terrible swirling place,” said Tiger. “Only by the greatest effort did I manage to escape and get across the river.”

Rat gave him a haughty look. “That is what happens to those who do not use their brains.”

Tiger swiped at Rat, but the emperor raised his hand. “No quarrels today,” he said.

Soon Rabbit arrived and was delighted to find that she was number four. “I hopped from stone to stone, then floated on a log the rest of the way,” she said.

Next came Dragon. He was in a great humor. “I see four are here ahead of me. I would have been here earlier, but I stopped to blow rain clouds to help the farmers. Then I saw Rabbit in the river and made the wind push her log.”

“Not only is your kindness honorable,” said the emperor, “but you have earned place number five.”

The emperor had hardly finished speaking when Horse clattered up. Just as he started to approach the emperor, however, Snake slithered out of the bushes. Startled, Horse reared back. Snake slid by and received the next number.

Horse appealed to the emperor, “Snake tricked me!”

“Do not worry,” said the emperor. “Snake meant you no harm. After all, she cannot walk or fly. She must slide under things.”

Horse saw the crowd of animals. “Is there still a place for me?”

The emperor peered at the chart. “The scribe will mark you in seventh place.”

The next three animals arrived together. Sheep had recently been shorn of her wool and stood shivering in the breeze. Monkey, always up to tricks, swung by his tail, greatly amusing the emperor. Rooster could not resist crowing. “We found a raft at the water's edge,” he said. “Sheep pushed, Monkey pulled, and I flapped my wings. That's how we crossed.”

“And that is why Sheep will be number eight, Monkey number nine, and you, Rooster, are number ten,” said the emperor.

About that time Dog trotted up. He shook, spattering water in all directions. The emperor was puzzled. “How is it that you, a good swimmer, are so late?” he asked.

“I wanted to be clean to appear before you, mighty emperor,” explained Dog, quite happy with himself. “I washed well in the river.”

“You almost missed getting here,” said the emperor, unmoved by the flattery. “You are number eleven.”

In the distance they heard Pig squeal as he hauled his fat body up the bank. He waddled up to the emperor. “Such a long trip!” he exclaimed. “I have had nothing to eat. Surely there must be something here for me.”

“Do you not wish to know whether you are among the winners?” asked the emperor.

“Oh, mighty ruler,” said Pig, “I am unable to think of anything else when I am hungry.”

The emperor laughed and nodded. “It is so with me. But to answer the question you did not ask, you are number twelve.”

The scribe put down his brush. All the names were on the scroll.

The emperor surveyed the animals. “You have done a great service,” he said. “We can now recall the year of the great rice harvests. We can mark the year of heavy snow. And, we will remember the auspicious year the prince was born.”