Next, the dragon swept in from the sky. Here are some animals that the children can color themselves. Suddenly, the Rat leapt from Ox's back and crossed the finish-line first. Rat won first place and Ox was second. Since there are 12 animals, I have placed 4 animals to a sheet, and there are 3 sheets in each set. Remember that the link to this printable is listed below. Would he even be able to finish in time? I knew that my spot in the Zodiac was on the line, but I could not stand by and watch. Children can color them, and cut out the circles. Rat: Serves him right! See landscape link below. ), Monkey: You can’t catch me! 6&7. The Jade Emperor smiled again. Cat: Well, hello Rat. Suddenly, the Rabbit slipped, tumbling back-first into the murky waters of the river. This set has already been colored. A mix of relief and exhilaration had seeped through his being, replacing the disappointment he had felt about only getting fourth place. The Sheep had been so comforting and formed such harmonious bonds with them, that the others felt it was only right to let the Sheep claim the 8th place. I did not want to also sweep the villagers up in this gale of my own creation. Water splashed forth from the river. the Jade Emperor wondered. Together, the two of them hatched a plan to ride the Ox across the river together. Reaching a shaded and secluded thicket the Rabbit collapsed into a tiny heap of white fur. The Pig waddled towards the finish line, pink skin caked in dense layers of dirt, sniffling snout pasted brown with mud. Even to this this day, Cat still holds a grudge against Rat.

One day, long ago in China, the Jade Emperor decided that all the years should have a name to help the people tell the years apart. Narrator: When they had all lined up and were ready, the Jade Emperor gave the signal for everyone to start. (Cat chases Rat off the stage. A sudden gust stirred thickly in the air, sending the log hurdling down the river. Being rather thick-headed, the Ox was oblivious to the two animals atop him. The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Here's our interpretation of this story!
I was going to wake him up, but I changed my mind. Following are the cats that accompany the previous two sets. The Cat let out a piercing hiss directed at the Rat, but by then, it was too late, and the Ox, with the Rat atop, was already too far ahead of the Cat. The bold rooster strutted up to the river and preened his feathers. The 12 animals of the Zodiac had been decided and so concluded the great race. The Rabbit's thoughts began to race. ), (If you like, all the children can come out and take a final bow.). Animal Drawings Sheet 4 See portrait link below. Let’sssss have a good race. Monkey: Let’s all race for the finish line, anyway. However, the Ox was too composed a sort to make a big fuss. The ox jumped in and soon was ahead because she was such a strong swimmer.

(Rat moves over close to Ox.) Cat: I see you, you little rat.

The Rabbit's pulse gradually slowed, seemingly one beat at a time, as he neared the shore, a deep-seated feeling of relief overtaking him. Rooster: Last one there’s a rotten egg! As for the poor Cat, he made it out of the water but didn’t arrive in time to finish the race. We are quick and clever.”, And the cat said, “I will win, of course.

Cats to accompany the previous two sets of zodiac animals. The rat was almost late. The pig strolled into the group, still licking her lips from the meal she had just finished.


Alas, the log was barely moving, bobbing complacently in the water. The Ox was going to come first. Back in the river, the Monkey, the Rooster, and the star of 2015, the Sheep, all floated atop a raft, which the Rooster had found resting by the opposite shore - unclaimed by anyone.

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Here it is: Link for Documents in Landscape Mode. The Pig snorted as he readied himself to speak. The first twelve to cross the river would each have a year named after them. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards.

Dragon: (pretending to fly in) Good luck to all the contestants. Sometimes the cleverest one wins the race. Narrator: But what about the cat? We should join. When they heard about the race, the rat said, “We should join. Animal Drawings Sheet 2 See portrait link below. (Don't forget to print out the cat, who appears further down.). (Cat pantomimes these actions) And that is why the cat was left out of the Chinese zodiac. And, that is why--to this very day--a cat will chase a rat whenever he sees one. You come and wake me up when it’s time.

Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster all found a raft at the beginning of the race, and they paddled as quickly as they could across the river.

It is designed to be told by a narrator with the children (ages 3–10) doing the actions. "How has one such as you who possesses such surprising speed fallen so far behind?" He was only lagging slightly behind the Tiger. Rooster (struts) It’s me, rooster. Don't forget that the cats are all listed after the other animal sets. I just need to find some way to get through the water. But lately, he had noticed that the cat was getting bossier and bossier. Curlicue Animals Sheet 3 (Don't forget to print out the cat, who appears further down.) This play for children (ages 5–10) tells the story of why the Chinese zodiac animals appear in a certain order. I’m not sure about how to get across the water. They are just there to help the Narrator keep track of where s/he is in the script.). I’m a little late, but I don’t mind.

Here is another take on the zodiac animals. After crossing the river, he raced towards the palace of the Jade Emperor. Then he tags Tiger on the shoulder. The Rabbit's heart throbbed in slow motion as the log drifted towards the shore where the finish line was.

The Rabbit stood perched upon a rock in the river. (Snake slithers by. (Narrator, to audience) Do you want to know the reason? The Rabbit let out soft huffs and heaves. After waiting a long time, Rat noticed Ox about to cross the river and swiftly jumped into Ox's ear. The courageous tiger gave out a low growl and padded deliberately to take his place.

And, that is why—to this very day—a cat will chase a rat whenever he sees one. I have to keep my strength up, you know. Rat: (jumps ahead) But I crossed the finish line first! Look for the orange links at the end of this article to access to printable PDF's.

The diligent Ox did not mind at all and simply continued. You can use the comments section below. Let me know if I can help you. The mischievous monkey swung down from the trees and winked at all the contestants as she passed them to find an open place on the riverbank. (Don't forget to print out the cat, who appears further down.). Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.

The Rabbit hopped right across the finish line. If you just want to print certain pages, be sure to set your printer to do only those pages. Rat: That cat has been so bossy lately. You will see the links for the printable versions in orange type. On the morning, however, Rat left quietly without informing Cat. race definition: 1. a competition in which all the competitors try to be the fastest and to finish first: 2. an…. The sun sat high in the sky today and had heated the water, making it pleasant to bathe in. By the finish line stood the Jade Emperor. He applauded them. n. 1. Dragon: On my way, I saw some villagers whose crops were drying up. But (yawns) I’ll need my sleep. An alternative version of the story says that Cat and Rat got as far as crossing the river together on Ox's head, but Rat pushed Cat into the water (and Cat was washed away and drowned or didn't get back to the Heavenly Gate in time to get a ranking). When they had all lined up and were ready, the Jade Emperor gave the signal to everyone to go.

He decided to name each year after an animal, and proclaimed that the animals would have a race across a wide river. He pressed both paws to the log, clinging on as tightly as he could muster. Yet, the Pig moved at a surprisingly swift gait, little feet locked in a tiny cyclical gallop. What brings you here? The sheep, monkey, and rooster all found a raft at the beginning of the race, and they paddled as quickly as they could across the river. Finally, she got down to the business of swimming and crossed the finish line in eleventh place. Why has the Dragon not come in first place? Fasten the circle with a stapler.

This link includes all the documents above which are taller than they are wide. Sheep: (trots in daintily) I hope I do well. But Dragon's son didn't come with him that day. There exists a story, in Chinese mythology, of a great race that decided which animals made it into the Zodiac and in what order. The rabbit had started the race by hopping from stone to stone in the river, but then she managed to hop on to a floating log, and she finished fourth. Rat got up very early. RACE is a practical framework to help manage and improve results from your digital marketing. You can also cut long strips of paper and fashion them into headbands, then glue the picture to the headband. Together, the two of them hatched a plan to ride the Ox across the river together.

The Horse burst from the river. Long, long ago, there was no Chinese zodiac. The ox had the honor of being second. But what about the cat?

The rat had been good friends with another animal, the cat. Dog: (shaking the water out of her fur) That was so much fun! Animal Drawings Sheet 1 See portrait link below. You can copy the text of the play and paste it into a word-processing document. We’ll all be part of the zodiac.

I designed these graphics as an easy way for your students to identify their characters for the play, but you could use them for other things as well. Rat's best spouse will be Dragon, Rabbit, or Ox. Here are the zodiac animal faces made from the shape of hearts. He was not disappointed in him. Then, the monkey takes his place on the starting line.). I have included some cards with pictures of the animals after the script.

The ox reached the shore and had just a little ways to go to the finish line. The second does not have speaking parts for the children. How to Make Good Feng Shui for the 12 Zodiac Animals, Chinese New Year (Dates, Traditions, Animal Signs ), The Japanese / Vietnamese / Burmese Zodiac, How to Make Good Luck in Your Zodiac Year Easily, China’s Zodiac Animal Cities - Beijing’s the Tiger…, 10 Interesting Facts for Discovering the Chinese Zodiac, Where You Can Find the Chinese Zodiac - The Top 9 Uses. You will want to have some way of marking the starting line, and the river. The following story reveals legendary reasons, and some of the characteristics of the 12 animals. Horse: (gallops up to the starting line) I’m used to running fast, and I’m a strong swimmer. Remember to print out the accompanying cat, which appears further down the site. When they landed, they ran for the finish. If you just want to print certain pages, be sure to set your printer to do only those pages. Here are are the patterns for the cats that go with the Color Animals and the Heart Animals. This link includes all the documents above which are wider than they are tall. The Rabbit feared that if he did not pick up his pace, another animal might seize the fourth spot from him.