1. It was coming up to the new year. Twelve animals were arguing.
2. There was a Rat, an Ox, a Tiger, a Sheep, a Rabit, a Dragon, a Snake, a Dog, a Horse, a Rooster, a Monkey and a Pig.
3. They thought the new year should have a name.
4. They were arguing because each animal wanted the year to be named after himself.
5. was such a noise that they disturbed the Jade Emperor.
6. “Whatever is the matter with you, animals?” Jade Emperor asked.
7. One by one they explained their problem.
8. Jade Emperor thought it over.”I got an idea,” he said.
9. “Can you see that big river? Why not have a race across it?”
10. “We can name this new year after the winner of the race.”
11. All the animals agreed that this was a good idea.
12. But each one secretly thought that they would be the winner.
13. They all hurried to the river and lined up for the race.
14. “Ready, steady, go…”
15. With a mighty splash, the animals leapt into the river and swam as fast as they could towards the other side.
16. Now the rat wasn’t the best swimmer, but he was the cleverest animal.
17. He thought the Ox is going to win the race, so swam as fast as he could and grab hold of the Ox’s tail.
18. He climbed up the tail, and onto the Ox’s back,
19. Just before the Ox reached the other side of the river, the rat leapt over his head, onto the bank.
20. “I win, I am the winner.” He squeaked.
21. “Hard luck, Ox.” laughed the Jade Emperor. “You’re very strong, but rat was too clever for you this time. We will call this year the Year of the Rat. Ox, you were second, so next year will be the Year of the Ox.”
22. One by one the other animals finished the race.
23. “Well done,” said the Jade Emperor.” We will name a year after each of you in the same order that you finished the race.”
leapt leap的过去时
mighty splash 水花四溅
Jade Emperor 玉皇大帝
squeak 吱吱叫，尖叫
hard luck 不走运
