The Great Race

by GhostAlleyCat

The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac were selected through a race. This race is meant to create a time measurement for the people. There could only be twelve winners and in order to win, the animals had to cross a rapid current river and reach the finish line on the shore.

10. Chapter 10 - Mad Sheep

Chapter 10: Mad Sheep:

Yang's POV:

The race was still going on and the rabbit and snake were in my way.

"Am I actually ahead of you," asks She.

"Maybe I just like looking at your tail," says Tuzi.

I don't know what's suddenly gotten into these two, but they were starting to get on my nerves, so I rammed them out of the way.

Then the pig was ahead of me. "SHUT UP, STOMACH!"

That was weird and annoying, so I rammed her.

Next was the rooster. "I was brave!"

I rammed him.

Next was the cat and the rat. "We might actually win this," says Mao.

I rammed them.

. . .

I was finally ahead, but then this owl got in my way. "Can I help you," I asked.

"I couldn't help but see how you were... being quite violent with the others," says the owl.

"I am trying to win," I said.

"But maybe there is a better way," says the owl.

. . .

The owl took me to this cave. "What are we doing here," I asked.

"It's time you learn to control your temper," says the owl.

"I'm fine," I said.

"Why don't we take a look at your childhood," says the owl.

Great, an owl wants to be my therapist. "Fine," I said, "if you must know..."

Yang: I was a lamb
And I was always picked on
It was just me and my sister, Yin
And that is in my song
We always had each other's backs
We were there for each other
But as we got older
She got tired of hanging with her brother
She thought I was being a dork
And wanted nothing to do with me
So, I got mad
And also, kind of angry

Owl: So, you wish to join the Zodiac
To prove her wrong
And to all the bullies
Who would always pick on... you
But you can't let anger get the best of you
Remember the good times with Yin
Remember the good little lamb you were
Or you will let anger win

Yang/Owl: It's time to take a path of peace
To walk to the land of prosperity
To put away this anger
And to finally be happy!

"Thanks," I said, "so... do you always help strangers?"

"Someone felt you needed this," says the owl.

Shu's POV:

"It was nice of you to get Yang some help," says Mao.

"Right... that's what I was doing," I said. Truth is, that owl was just supposed to distract Yang. I had nothing to do with the other distractions everyone else has been dealing with, those were all just coincidences, but hey, this rat is in it to win it!

To Be Continued

In the next chapter, Niu suggests they all take a rest.