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A very long time ago, Ruler of China, the Jade Emperor, decided to make a change in the Zodiac cycle so that people would find it easy to track the time. He sent information to more or less all the animals requiring them to arrive together so that he could assign a year to each of them. As the legend goes, the Cat and the Rat were good friends. Upon discovering the information they thought to travel together to meet up the Emperor. It is known that cats are normally sleepyheads. They were no exception centuries ago as well. Hence when the rat found the cat was asleep in the morning he decided to leave, ignoring their previous understanding. He quit his sleeping partner behind and was the first to arrive in the Emperor's palace. The Cat woke up a little later to find his co called friend long gone. After this incident the Cats could never be Rats' friends.

This folk story has been written in many versions. Another intriguing edition tells that Emperor Jade invited animals to a meeting. He also announced that the years in the calendar would be named after the animals' names and in the order of their arrival.. The site for the gathering was across the river. Both the rat and the cat are never good swimmers, but intelligent and rat being more intelligent than cat. Together they made a decision to ask the Ox for help with spanning the river. Ox was kind and strong. He accepted help. Midway across the river the Rat got rid of the Cat by pushing it into the river and as soon as they came close to the river bank, he jumped off the Ox's back and hence received the honor of being the first animal on the zodiac calendar. Ox was not far behind and was awarded the second place immediately. Ox was followed by the Tiger. Tiger got there huffing and puffing. He said it was no easy feat to cross the strong currents of the river but he managed to do so due to his physical prowess.

He earned the honor to be the third animal to have a spot in the calendar.
Not long after the Tiger hopped the Rabbit into the emperor's palace. He had managed to cross the river by moving from one rock to a new one and then got a hold of a log that made it easier for him get to the bank easily. He automatically was appointed to the fourth spot. The awesome Dragon was next to get there on the scene. The Emperor could not stop himself from inquiring the Dragon as to why he was not there sooner. The Dragon explained that he was overdue as he was busy making rain for humanity and also he saw a little Rabbit having difficulties to get to the bank, so he thought to help him. He puffed the air so that the rabbit which was holding the log could reach the river bank. These were suitable reasons for the Emperor and he happily assigned the fifth placement to the Dragon. After a little while the galloping sounds of the horse were heard and he arrived on the spot. Immediately after he arrived he experienced that a Snake had been hiding under its hoof, which frightened him. The Snake could not have a better opportunity to move in and secure the sixth spot for himself. Horse had to decide to the seventh place.

The emperor had not much time to spare before he saw the Goat, the Monkey and the Rooster coming his way. They were allies and had assisted each other to traverse the river. The Rooster had found a raft for themselves and the other two helped row it across the river. Their efforts bore fruit and they were able to have eighth, ninth and tenth places respectively. Next to secure the eleventh spot was the Dog. He had used up quite a bit of precious time playing in the river so he was very late in spite of his expertise as a swimmer. Only remaining spot was taken by the Pig, which stopped to eat and then fell asleep. But beneficial to him as he was late and still offered the only kept spot in the calendar. The cat was the last animal to arrive at the spot and since all the places have been alloted he could not find a place in the calendar.

Another intriguing twist is added to the folk story in the variant which tells that the Rat discovered that the Ox was tough and perhaps its best choice for crossing the river. He cunningly persuaded him to take him across the river. He questioned the Ox if it would be engaged in listening to a song. The Ox with its born simplicity gave the consent. Responding the rat moved his lip area but uttered no sound. The Ox could not hear any song and asked the rat, who said that if he can reach near his ear, he will hear the song. The Ox still lacking the knowledge of Rat's true purpose allowed him to ride his back. Before the Ox could sense that it has reahed the river bank the rat jumped from his back and rushed to claim the first position. The Ox followed and the other animals came in later on.

There is another version to the folk story found in Buddhism. According to them, before leaving the Earth, Buddha invited all animals to meet him. Only twelve of the animals arrived and according to the order of arrival they were given the place in the calendar.

Last but not the least is a variation that explains that the God had called animals to a food. The ever clever Rat loved to make a fool of the Cat. He advised the Cat that the supper was not that night but the night after. He left the sleeping cat, securing a spot for himself in the calendar and leaving the Cat with nothing. This enormously angered the Cat and he could never be Rat's friend yet again.

The existing version of the Zodiac calendar has been in the making for hundreds of years. It`s real basis is impossible to find. Historians tend to agree that the justification for the absence of the Cat in the calendar happens because Cat was only launched into China later on by the Buddhists, who had brought it along with them from India.