CATS TO THE RESCUE

Published by Henry Holt & Co.

Illustrated by Jean Cassels

Available in many libraries and bookstores.

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There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.  The cat

is not one of them.  Here's a legend about how this came

to be.  Cat and Rat were friends.  So when the Buddha

announced a contest to assign each animal an hour and

a year, the two made a pact:  Whoever got up earliest

would rouse the other, and together they'd win the

competition.

But the next day when Rat awoke he did not keep his

word.  He left Cat sleeping and hitched a ride with

Ox.  Just as they arrived at the Buddha's gate, Rat

jumped off and dashed in to gain first place.

Cat slept on through the whole morning.  When she

finally did awaken, she let out a yowl and raced to

meet the Buddha.  But it was too late.  The whole

zodiac had been filled.  That's why there is no Year

of the Cat and why cats and rats are now sworn enemies.

Copyright © 2006 by Marilyn Singer

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