The twelve year signs

Long, long, long ago in Ancient times in the land of the rising sun, God, the Buddha was dying. And so Buddha gathered animals and said to them.

"It is now December. A New Year is coming. On the first day of the New Year, you all must come to greet me. And I will give one year to the first twelve animals who come and greet me."

A cat forgot the day when Buddha told the animals to go and greet him, so she asked a rat. A rat told the cat it was on the second day of the New Year.

On the last day of the year, the December thirty first, an ox started on his trip to Buddha because he was a slow walker. Having seen this ox, the rat jumped on his back.

In the very early morning of the New Year, the ox arrived at the Buddha's shrine. He was the first animal to make it there. But, when the shrine gate opened, the rat quickly jumped off the ox and went inside running to Buddha ahead of the ox. So the rat became the first animal to greet God.

"Rat"
Buddha spoke to the rat.
"You are the first comer. You are charming, friendly and outgoing. You also have intellects and you know how to use your brain, but your gossip is a murder. I will give you the first year."

Then Buddha talked to the ox.

"Ox, you are the second comer. You are a great work-force. You are down-to- earth, strong and silent. You are single-minded about fulfilling your goals, willing to sacrifice for good cause. I will give you the second year."

The tiger was the third to arrive. Buddha spoked to the tiger.

"Tiger. You are the third comer. You love speed but always know how to land on your feet. You love to break the rules and dare to be different. You always have your own style. I will give you the third year."

Next was rabbit. Buddha spoke to the rabbit.

"Rabbit. You are the fourth comer. You symbolize immortality. You love beauty and comfort. You also give others help and comfort. I will give you the fourth year."

A dragon came next. Budda spoked to the dragon.

"Dragon. The self-respecting and very prudish creature with strong mind and character, you are the fifth comer. You are sentimental, loving and affectionate. I will give you the fifth year."

The sixth animal slithered to greet Buddha. Buddha spoke to the snake.

"Snake. You are the sixth comer. You are very intelligent and have good taste. You know how to make most of you. I will give you the sixth year."

And Buddha spoke to the horse who arrived seventh.

"Horse. You are the seventh comer. You are lively and love to run free and some times rebellious. I will give you the seventh year."

Buddha spoked to the eighth animal to arrive.

"Sheep. The gentle-hearted and vulnerable creature, you are the eighth comer.You work at your own pace. I will give you the eight year."

And there came monkey. Buddha spoked to the monkey.

"Monkey, the great trouble-shooter and skilled negotiator. You are the ninth comer. You take pride in your appearances. I will give you the ninth year."

Buddha spoked to the tenth animal, rooster.

"Rooster. You are the tenth comer. You love to help others. You are born teachers and love learning many things. You love novelty and variety. I will give you the tenth year."

Dog arrived next. Buddha spoked to the dog.

"Dog. You are loyal and affectionate and truly selfless. You are the eleventh comer. You are devoted, and a tireless champion of good causes. I will give you the eleventh year."

Boar was the twelveth animal. Buddha spoked to the boar.

"Boar. You are the twelfth comer.You have a heart of gold. You can’t resist temptations. You seek food for comfort. Also you are so gullible and often heart broken. I will give you the twelfth year."

And this is how the twelve animal got their year.

By the way,on the next day, the second day of the New Year, the cat came to Buddha's shrine to greet him, but she was one day too late. She learned that the rat had tricked her. She was mad at the rat and chased after him and killed him.