The Zodiac Project (#Wattys2017)

The great race

As the story goes, the Chinese zodiac was decided in a great race. The jade emperor decided to hold a race to determine which animals would represent the twelve years of the Chinese zodiac. The race had the animals traverse a long distance, including a treacherous river.
Long before the race began, the rat and the cat made an alliance. They befriended the strong and kind ox, who would allow them to ride on his back, as long as the ox was allowed to cross first. At last, the race began, and it was all going according to plan. As the great ox was traversing the river, the rat pushed the cat off the ox's back. The cat plunged into the river. The ox ignored the rats betrayal, or didn't notice. As the great beast neared the finish line, the small and clever rat leapt off the ox's back, winning the first spot in the Chinese zodiac. The ox came second.
Right behind them was the strong and graceful tiger. It swam the river with ease, and crossed the finish line third.
Next was the rabbit. The small and quick creature had found an easier way across the river; a few rocks to hop across.
The dragon had been the favorite to win the race. The emperor was confused as to why the dragon had arrived fifth. The kind and mighty dragon explained that, as he flew towards the finish line, it had spotted a village that had erupted in flames. It had stopped to douse the flames. The emperor was proud to bestow the fifth year in the Chinese zodiac upon the great dragon.
The horse thundered towards the finish line. But seconds before it crossed the finish line, the snake, who had attached itself of to the great horses leg, jumped out. The horse reared up on its hind legs in fear, allowing the snake to finish sixth. The horse received seventh place.
Next came the sheep, the rooster and the monkey. The three friends had found a boat, and had rowed across the river together. They decided the sheep should cross first, followed by the monkey, and then the rooster.
The always energetic dog bounded across the finish line next. It couldn't resist playing in the water.
Finally, the pig trotted across the line. The rest of the group wondered what had taken it so long. It explained that it had taken time to eat and take a nap.
And the cat? Well, after escaping the current of the raging river, the poor cat was unable to finish the race, all thanks to the rat.
And that's it. That's the entire story.
Or so everyone thought.