The Race

God gathered all the animals in meeting for the competition. All of the animals came including the cat. The dragon, Dog, Ox, Rooster, Pig, monkey, lamb, horse, snake, tiger, rat, rabbit, and cat all sat in front of God. Rat watched the competition with weary eyes. He was the smallest of them all, his chances were slim. He would have to win using his wits. Each animal had worked over the week trying to get faster and stronger for this final competition.

"You all came, even you cat!" noted God.

Rat rolled his eyes, "I thought you missed the party?" replied rat.

"I did thanks to rooster! But, God, you'll still let me race, right?" asked cat.

"Yes, I suppose I will!" agreed God.

Rat wasn't happy about this, but he smiled to God and scurried off to talk with his friend ox. Rooster was so tired. He had overworked himself, so now the competition was in only an hour and he was so tired. Dragon had slept the whole time confident he would win. Ox had journeyed through the steep mountains trialing his strength. The pig had been particularly lazy during the time, refusing to train but instead let fait play its role. Rabbit had done much training with the lamb, out in the meadow. The two had ran and hopped with each other happily as they dreamed of the race. All the animals tried their hardest for they wanted to please God, but one of them especially wanted to gain God's trust and love. Cat had wanted to train with the other animals but they all denied him, some harsher than others. So the cat was left alone, to train by himself.

God stood up and smiled, "Follow me!"

The animals followed closely as he walked them to a raging river on the other side of the mountain. They all looked to God in curious wonder.

"God what is it we are to do?" asked rat quietly.

"You must cross the river, my friends, in the order which you cross I will fill for the calendar." Explained God hushed.

"Do you really think we can cross it?" asked the lamb timidly eyeing the rapids.

"I have great faith in you!" nodded God.

So the animals prepared themselves as God disappeared. Cat shivered and shook numbly at the sight of water. Rooster could barely keep his eyes open but he still clucked with anticipation. Horse was chatting right along with tiger and lamb. Rat was talking with Ox when he noted cat, jealousy he made his way to the cat with a small smile.

"Why hello Cat, My… you look scared," sighed rat.

Cat's fur bristled.

"If you want you can come with me and ride on Ox's back!" suggested rat slyly.

Cat turned to rat and graciously began to thank him. Rat shook it off and led cat over to where ox stood with a blank expression.

There was a ring, from across the river and immediately the animals were off. Rat and cat settled onto Ox's large strong back and watched as he pummeled into the water. Horse trotted next to ox, keeping the speed. Rabbit found a small dam where the water was less rapid. He began hopping on the stone path, while dragon sat on the side of the river amused at their tries. He confidently settled down and watched chuckling. Rooster strained himself as he flapped his wings here and there. Dog played in the water happily taking his time, while pig teetered slowly behind him. Monkey dad decided to sit along the horse and Tiger swam next to horse matching her pace. The lamb struggled as the stream got deeper and faster. Suddenly her feet were swept away and she was being carried downwind. Frightened she began to cry for help. Horse locked eyes with Ox who was her biggest competition at the moment. Before she could think of a reason why not she turned and went down to catch lamb, her friend. Horse instructed the monkey to lift lamb to her back, in which he did. Lamb soaked and choking on water bayed as they turned back to continue the race. Rat's nose twitched as he watched them come closer to shore. He eyed cat who sat behind him, then ox beneath him. Yes, he would have to use his brains, so with a quick shove rat sent cat into the raging center of the river. Surprised cat fell into the river and hissed as he was submerged. Rat watched regretfully as cat was swept down the river coughing and hissing for help. No one had gone to help the poor cat. Not one.

Ox was almost to shore when rat jumped from his nose and landed nimbly on the ground by God's feet. Ox marched onto the ground and gave God a warm smile.

"Why it seems you won rat!" stated God.

"Why thank you!" huffed the rat in pride.

"And you ox came in second!" noted God patting the ox's head.

In only a moment's time, Tiger had tossed herself onto shore with a big heave. She looked to ox and rat then God. With her golden eyes she smiled and ran to God to rub her head on his leg. God patted tiger with a smile and watched as the little rabbit hobbled from the shore feet away. Rabbit had hopped the whole way and was now jumping around God joyfully. Finally, dragon crossed the river in a mad dash; he had not noticed they were so close. With a growl if irritation he looked at the animals before him. They didn't look like they had came that close.

"Why dragon it seems you were the fifth!" smiled God.

Dragon snorted but approached God with a nod.

"And it seems snake has came with you!" chuckled God.

Dragon crinkled his nose in confusion when he finally noticed the snake curled around his tail. Snake slithered off and hissed a thank you. Dragon was deeply shocked he had not noticed, but then their attention was brought back to the heavy gasps of horse. She trotted out of the river and threw her head at Ox.

"You might have won this ox, but I would beat you in any other race!" she snorted as the lamb flopped off followed by the monkey. The little lamb trampled over to God and smiled wearily.

"I almost went down the river!" bayed the little lamb.

"Oh, but you didn't horse saved you!" smiled God.

"Yes, she is a wonderful friend!" nodded lamb.

Horse's angered eyes softened as those kind words hit her. With a small snort she made her way to God. Finally rooster crossed the river worn to the bone. Slightly wet from the few water breaks he had made from flying. Rooster shook his feathers in distress, he had not won. With a lowered head he ran over to a log to sulk at his loss. God smiled as he watched dog playing in the water happily with pig. Pig ignored the dog as she came closer. Dog faster and more energetic jogged ahead and gave a playful bark. Making his way to God he licked his hand happily. Lastly, pig teetered up the bank to fall asleep at God's feet worn out.

"Where is Cat?" asked God suddenly.

"He was on my back God!" stated ox.

God looked around at the animals then nodded gravely. Cat had once again, left him. With that he led the animals back to his home to celebrate their triumph, while the poor cat lied at the end of the river soaked and worn out. Shutting his eyes, the cat blanked out.