A. What are the twelve animals? B. What do you mean? C. I was born in 2008. D. I want to know what my birth-year animal is. E. Who decided the order of them? |
Judy: Hi, Li Jun! Happy Chinese New Year!
Li Jun: Hi, Judy! Happy Year of the Rabbit!
Judy: Sorry.
Li Jun: Well, we Chinese named the years after twelve animals. This year is the year of the rabbit!
Judy:
Li Jun: They are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The rat was the first of the twelve.
Judy:
Li Jun: In one story, the Jade Emperor held a swimming race to choose animals for the names of the years. These twelve animals were faster than others.
Judy: So, the Jade Emperor decided to name a year after each of them.
Li Jun: You are right. I was born in the year of the tiger, so my birth-year animal is the tiger.
Judy: How interesting!
Li Jun: When were you born?
Judy:
Li Jun: Wow! Your birth-year animal is the rat. It is the first of the twelve animals.
Judy: Really? I am so happy.
