The Race of the Year

The Jade Emperor sits on his throne,
Wondering where all the time has gone.
So He declares, “We will have a race
To name the years and to help keep pace.”

Gathered animals, both big and small,
Come to answer the Emperor’s call.
“We will name all of Our twelve years
As each of you before Me appears.

“On this throne, for you, I will wait
For the first twelve – thirteen is too late.
Across this river you all may start
If you have the strength, brains, will and heart.”

Some animals choose not to compete;
A few may not have heard of the meet.
Many do not meet the criteria –
That’s why there’s no Year of Bacteria.

But those that dare, to far field they went,
And thus begins the scheduled event.
With leaps and bounds, slithers and scurries,
To the far river edge each hurries.

The river is wide and waters strong
Rat rides Ox in exchange for a song.
These two swim across until near the bank;
Maybe Cat too, but she fell and sank.

From the Ox’s nose, Rat takes a great leap,
And thus is the first place his to reap.
With second, Ox is still quite content;
His repute for strength, it will cement.

Then Tiger climbs out of the water,
Tired, up to the throne to totter.
Tiger is strong; the river stronger;
Swept downstream took him a bit longer.

Not far behind is heard a loud thump,
As comes Rabbit with a hoppy jump.
From stone to rock halfway he does hop
Until out of rocks, he has to stop.

Along comes a log on which to float
And he jumps onboard this risky boat.
Then gently it drifts to the near shore –
Rabbit hops off and is number four.

When Dragon flies in, it’s a surprise;
Emperor thought first would be his prize.
Dragon saw some thirsty, he did explain,
In dire need, so he stopped to make rain.

Then he saw Rabbit drifting downstream
And helped him with a small breath of steam.
To help when he can, Dragon will strive –
Emperor proudly names him as five.

The hoofbeats of Horse are coming near,
When Snake from his ankle does appear.
Horse pulls back in fright when he sees Snake;
Snake slithers to seize six as his stake.

Horse needs to settle for the seventh place;
He would do better in a drier race.
Next to arrive is a group of three -
The Rooster, the Goat and the Monkey.

The three come on a raft Rooster finds;
Goat pulls it; Monkey tightens its binds.
Together they do more than alone –
For eight, nine and ten, they will be known.

When Dog comes the Emperor does ask,
“You swim well, why so slow at this task?”
Dog exclaims, “Such fun in the water!
You just gotta splash when you gotta!”

And so, then there were eleven claimed,
But would there be no more to be named?
He starts to declare no twelfth winner,
When Pig shows and asks, “What’s for dinner?”

The Pig is slowed by his appetite
And he stops often to set it right.
Despite a good meal, maybe nap too –
He’s here for the last spot in the queue.

Emperor fills out his calendar
Giving us our annual avatar.
Whether you’re Rat, Pig or in between,
Who you will be is yet to be seen.