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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