A long time ago, the Jade Emperor wanted to choose 12 animals to be his guar（护卫）. The animals set off on a race towards the Heavenly Gate.
Cat and Rat got up very early and started the race. On their way to the Heavenly Gate, they came across a big river and had to stop. They were tired out and fell asleep. Clever Rat woke up and noticed that Ox was about to cross the river. And he jumped on Ox's head and left Cat behind.
Hard-working Ox did not mind and continued. After crossing the river, Rat raced towards the Heavenly Gate and won first place. Ox was second.
Tiger was fast and came in third. Competitive Rabbit got across the river by jumping on floating logs （浮木） and came right after in fourth place.
Brave Dragon was fifth and was noticed by the Jade Emperor at once. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father（养父）, so Snake was sixth.
Lively Horse and Kind Sheep arrived. They each let the other go first. The Jade Emperor saw how polite they were and ranked （给...评名次） them seventh and eighth.
Confident Monkey jumped between trees and stones and arrived in ninth place. Last were Talented Rooster, Loyal Dog, and Honest Pig. These 12 animals became guards of the Heavenly Gate.
