The Zodiac Twelve | Ep. 275

According to the Chinese calendar, this week marks the start of a new year:

The Year of the Snake.

The Chinese calendar works in a repeating cycle of twelve years known as the “zodiac.” Each year is represented by a different animal. And it's believed that if you’re born in a given year, you’ll have the personality traits of that year's animal. So if you’re born in the Year of the Snake, for instance, you’re said to be especially intelligent and mysterious!

But how did the Chinese zodiac come about? And how did its twelve animals get selected? In today’s tale, we’ll find out!

Our story is called “The Zodiac Twelve.” Versions of this tale come from the East Asian country of China.

Voices in this episode include Evan Casey, Paul Dateh, Alyssa Keene, James Konicek, Chelly Li, Erika Rose, Chris Tucci, Dawn Ursula, Tzi Ma and Jimmy Wong.

Veteran actor Tzi Ma has appeared in numerous films, including “The Farewell,” “Tigertail,” and “Five Blind Dates.” Grown-ups, you can also see Tzi in the Hulu series “Interior Chinatown.” Actor, musician and singer Jimmy Wong stars in the animated feature “Wish Dragon.” You can see both Tzi and Jimmy in Disney’s live-action film, “Mulan.” And you can hear both Tzi and Jimmy in our 2020 episode, “Dirt Into Gold”!

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Dean Russell. Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.

GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. We’re also keeping an album so please share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Now it’s your turn!

As we kick off the Year of the Snake, ask a grown-up to help you figure out your zodiac animal. Once you find it, read through the list of your animal’s personality traits and see which ones click with you. Then, find some paper and draw a picture of your zodiac animal.

Ask your grown-up to snap a photo of you and your artwork and email it to circleround@wbur.org. We may feature it in The Lion’s Roar, the monthly newsletter of the Circle Round Club! Haven't yet signed up? You can learn more about this super-fun membership opportunity for super-fans like you here.

Musical Spotlight: Yangqin

Known for its bright, resonant, shimmering sound, the yangqin is a type of hammered dulcimer, with a trapezoidal wooden body and strings stretched over bridges. To play it, you strike the strings using light, flexible bamboo mallets with hammer tips.

Compared with some of China’s older instruments (such as the Jiahu gǔdí, a “bone flute” dating back to 6,000 B.C.E.), the yangqin is a relative newcomer to Chinese music. Its name suggests it originated from outside the country: yang means “foreign” and qin is a type of ancient Chinese plucked zither. Experts believe the yangqin first appeared in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), coming by sea from the Middle East. Since then, the yangqin has evolved, with improvements in design and playing techniques.

You will hear the yangqin used in traditional Chinese music, including classical, folk and opera. Contemporary music genres, such as Chinese pop and fusion, also incorporate it, as do Chinese orchestras and ensembles.

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, there was no official way to keep track of time!

Sure, you could notice when the sun was rising and setting. You could observe when the seasons shifted from one to the next. But there was no way to count the years. Which made it tough to remember when big, important events happened – including your own birthday!

So once upon a time… the Jade Emperor – the powerful ruler of heaven and earth — came up with an idea. He called it…

JADE EMPEROR: …the zodiac! I shall create the ZODIAC! An ever-repeating cycle of twelve years! (beat) And to make it easy for everyone to remember those years… I shall name each year after a different animal!

NARRATOR: Not a bad idea, right?

There was just one problem. Two, actually. First:

JADE EMPEROR: How shall I decide which animals will have years named after them?

NARRATOR: And second:

JADE EMPEROR: How shall I decide the animals’ ORDER?

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor thought and thought, until he came up with ANOTHER idea.

JADE EMPEROR: I shall hold… a race! I shall invite all of the animals to compete! The first twelve to reach the finish line will earn their own place in the zodiac!

NARRATOR: The morning of the race, the Jade Emperor was pleased to see how many critters had crawled, slithered, hopped, and winged their way to the starting line outside his palace.

JADE EMPEROR: (calling out to all animals) Welcome, my friends… to the Great Zodiac Race!

[animals cheer]

JADE EMPEROR: (dramatic) Today’s race will take you through a deep, rolling valley… then up and down a series of green, grassy hills. You’ll know you’ve reached the home stretch when you come to the banks of a wide, fast-flowing river. The first twelve of you to cross that river will earn a place on the zodiac! The first to arrive will get the first year… the second to arrive will get the second year… all the way down to the twelfth! (beat) So my friends? What do you say: are you ready to race?  

[animals cheer]

JADE EMPEROR: (pumping them up) I SAID… are you ready to race? [

[animals cheer]

JADE EMPEROR: Alright then! (beat) On your mark… get set… GO!

NARRATOR: There was a boisterous blur of feathers, fur, and scales as the animals made a beeline for the deep, rolling valley. But somewhere around the fourth or fifth green, grassy hill, a trio of animals managed to pull ahead. And the first three racers to reach the wide, fast-flowing river were Rat…

RAT: (ad-lib cartoonish running efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: …Cat…

CAT: (ad-lib cartoonish running efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: …and Ox.

OX: (ad-lib cartoonish running efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: In modern times, Rat and Cat are sworn enemies, right? They simply do NOT get along? Well, back when our stories takes place, Rat and Cat were close friends! And they knew full well that they couldn’t swim anywhere near as fast as burly, brawny Ox could. So, they asked him for a lift.

RAT: Here’s what Cat and I are thinking, Ox. We’ll ride on your back as you swim across the river… and we’ll face the opposite direction! So we can act as lookouts!

CAT: That’s right! And the moment Rat and I see another racer catching up, we’ll let you know to put on some speed!

NARRATOR: Ox had always been agreeable and good-natured. So he accepted Rat and Cat’s offer. And as he swam…

OX: (swimming, with effort) How’s it looking up there, you two? Anyone on my tail?

RAT: Not yet!

NARRATOR: …and swam…

OX: (swimming, getting more tired) How about NOW?

CAT: Nope! No one!

NARRATOR: … his passengers exchanged a self-satisfied smirk.

RAT: Isn’t this great, Cat?

CAT: It sure is!

RAT: We’re practically flying across the river!

CAT: We sure are!

RAT: At this rate, I’m TOTALLY gonna be the first animal in the zodiac!

CAT: You sure ah – (stops in middle of “are”) Waitwhat? Why should YOU be the first animal in the zodiac?

RAT: Because I’m crafty! And clever! It was MY idea to hitch a ride with Ox, you know!

CAT: It was NOT! It was my idea!

RAT: No! It was MINE! (beat) (gasp!) Look over there! There’s a big fish jumping out of the water! With those powerful claws of yours, you could grab that sucker and have a real feast!

NARRATOR: The truth is, there was no “big fish jumping out of the water”! But just as Rat hoped, Cat’s thoughts instantly turned from competing… to eating. And the moment she turned her head to find the fish…

CAT: Where is it? I don’t see it!

NARRATOR: … Rat pushed her off of Ox’s back…

CAT: (ad-lib falling) Ahhhhh!

NARRATOR: …and she landed in the water with a splash.

Ox was working so hard, he took no notice of the commotion.

OX: (swimming, getting more tired) How are we doing, you two? We’re almost at the shore, but I’m getting tired and slowing down! You gotta let me know if there’s anyone behind me!

RAT: Oh, there ISN’T anyone behind you, Ox! (sly) But guess what? There’s someone IN FRONT of you! (laughter)

NARRATOR: Next thing Ox knew, Rat was springing off his back and into the river!

The wily – and well-rested – rodent had no trouble paddling the rest of the way to shore. Within seconds, he was standing on the riverbank, shaking himself off and bowing before the Jade Emperor, who was waiting with one of his scribes.

JADE EMPEROR: Congratulations, Rat! You are the first animal to reach the finish line! Therefore the first year in the zodiac will be named after YOU! (beat) Scribe? Can you note that down please?

NARRATOR: The scribe recorded the first-place winner on a parchment scroll. The Jade Emperor gave Rat a smile.

JADE EMPEROR: You must be proud of yourself, Rat! Tell me: how did such a small animal accomplish such a big victory?

RAT: (tricky, obsequious) With all due respect, Your Majesty… I may be small in size, but I’m big in brains! I had the brilliant idea of enlisting the help of a gracious friend. And look! Here he is now!

NARRATOR: Rat motioned toward the water and there was Ox, his broad chest heaving, his wooly coat dripping as he trudged onto the bank.

JADE EMPEROR: Well done, Ox! You are the SECOND animal to finish the race. So the SECOND year in the zodiac will be named after YOU.

NARRATOR: Ox was annoyed by Rat’s trick. But he was too good-natured to rat the rodent out (heh heh). And besides, second place was nothing to sneeze at! So he accepted his position with dignity. But just as the scribe was recording Ox’s name…

TIGER: (ad-lib tired GROWL)

NARRATOR: All eyes shifted to the river, and there was Tiger, dragging her striped, sinewy body out of the water. She stumbled to the Jade Emperor, then collapsed at his feet.

TIGER: (ad-lib collapsing sigh/groan/etc.)

JADE EMPEROR: Tiger! What happened? It looks like you’ve been through quite an ordeal!

TIGER: (exhausted) I HAVE, Your Majesty! (beat) I was swimming strongly… and making good headway… when I got caught in the current…! And sucked into a whirlpool! I used every ounce of strength I had to break free from the spinning water and make it to safety. And now… here I am!

JADE EMPEROR: Well… I am proud of you, Tiger. You persevered and you didn’t give up! So as the brave, courageous third animal to finish the race, you have earned yourself the third position in the zodiac! (beat) I wonder who will be next?

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor didn’t have to wonder long. Because all at once, a bit, sturdy log came drifting to shore. And perched on top of that log…

RABBIT: Hiya, folks!

NARRATOR: …was Rabbit!

JADE EMPEROR: Welcome, Rabbit! You just earned yourself the fourth position in the zodiac!

RABBIT: Fourth? That’s marvelous! …And miraculous!

JADE EMPEROR: “Miraculous”??? How so?

RABBIT: Well… when I came to the river, and saw how wide and fast it was, I got nervous about swimming across. So I used my SMARTS to figure out another way to get to the other side! I hopped across a bunch of rocks that were sticking up out of the water!

JADE EMPEROR: A most elegant solution!

RABBIT: Well, people do talk about how elegant I am! (beat) But I haven’t told you the rest of the story! You see, the rocks were very slippery. And as I was hopping my way across, I lost my footing! Next thing I knew, I was tumbling into the water!

JADE EMPEROR: Oh no!

RABBIT: Oh YES! But HERE’S the miraculous part! As I was thrashing and splashing around, what should I spy drifting my way… but this log! I jumped up on top of it. And somehow, it floated me all the way to the finish line!

JADE EMPEROR: You HAVE always been known for your luck, Rabbit. So congratulations! Now we just need to wait for the fifth animal to arrive and – (stops short) (GASP!)

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor fell into silence. Because at that very moment, the riverside… fell into shadow! As if a bank of storm clouds had scudded in and blocked out the sun!

But when the Emperor and animals craned their heads upward, it wasn’t storm clouds they spied. It was the fifth animal to finish the race – and the most surprising one so far!

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: Who do you think the fifth-place winner is?

We’ll find out, after a quick break.

[theme music out]

[BREAK]

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “The Zodiac Twelve.”

[theme music out]

NARRATOR: Before the break, the Jade Emperor was holding a race to determine the twelve animals of the zodiac.

Rat used his crafty ways to toss Cat into the water and finish first. Ox came in second and Tiger came in third. After Rabbit earned fourth place by floating to shore on a log, the riverbank was plunged into darkness. Hovering in the air above… his scaly body so massive it blocked out the sun… was Dragon. He gave his tail a flick, then glided down to the bank.

DRAGON: (flying up above) Greetings, friends! How did I do?

JADE EMPEROR: You did very well, Dragon! As the fifth animal to reach the finish line, you shall be the fifth animal in the zodiac. (beat) But if I may ask… given how powerful your FLYING is, what took you so long to get here?

DRAGON: That’s a mighty fine question, Your Majesty. And I have a mighty fine answer! (beat) As I was racing through the air, I kept my eyes fixed on the ground below. At some point, I happened to catch sight… of a village. And what a woebegone village it was! There hadn't been a drop of rain in weeks. So the fields were withered, the villagers were hungry and thirsty… What else could I do but take a detour, and blow some rain clouds their way?

JADE EMPEROR: Goodness! That is very kind of you, Dragon! You’ve always been so charitable.

DRAGON: Well, my “charity” didn’t end there! After saving the village, I continued on my way. And as I was soaring above the river, I saw Rabbit struggling against the current!

RABBIT: (grasp!) You saw me?

DRAGON: I did more than see you, Rabbit. I saved you! I conjured a breeze and blew a big, sturdy log your way. Then I used my powers to send you and that log to shore!

RABBIT: Awwww! That is so sweet of you, Dragon! Thank you!

JADE EMPEROR: Yes, Dragon. Thank you. Your consideration toward others is commendable. (beat) Scribe? Please mark down Dragon as the fifth animal in the zodiac.

SNAKE: And mark ME down as SSSSSSSSIXTH!

NARRATOR: Everyone gave a start as a long, wriggling creature came slithering their way.

JADE EMPEROR: Hello there, Snake! We didn’t see you coming!

SNAKE: I thought it wouuld be sssssmart to sssssstay inconsssssspicuousssss! I HAVE alwaysssss been known as a myssssterioussss sssssoul.

JADE EMPEROR: And now you’ll ALSO be known as the sixth animal of the zodiac! Congratulations!

NARRATOR: As the scribe recorded Snake’s sixth-place finish, there was a clattering of hoofbeats. Galloping down the riverside, her powerful legs kicking up a cloud of dust… was Horse!

HORSE: Greetings, everyone! I hope I’m not too late. As you may know, we horses aren’t big fans of water. So… hoping I could RUN across the river, rather than SWIM… I looked around and around until I found a nice shallow spot to cross. Then I ran all this way to get to you! (beat) Am I one of the winners?

JADE EMPEROR: That you ARE, Horse! (beat) Scribe? Mark Horse as the seventh animal in the zodiac!

HORSE: (happy WHINNY) Oh my gosh! This is the best day ever!

NARRATOR: Horse flashed Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, and Snake a toothy grin. As one of the warmest and friendliest animals, she was delighted to be in such good company.

And that company was about to get bigger.

GOAT: (adding “ahhh” and “ehhh” bleating sound to words as appropriate) Did we get here in time?

MONKEY: Please tell us we did!

ROOSTER: (to the rhythm of “cock a doodle doo”) It would BE too GOOD to be TRUUUUUUUE!

NARRATOR: All eyes turned to the river, where Goat, Monkey, and Rooster were floating to shore on a raft made of logs and vines.

JADE EMPEROR: Welcome to the finish line, Goat, Monkey and Rooster! How clever of you to build that raft!

GOAT: (adding “ahhh” and “ehhh” bleating sound to words as appropriate) But Your Majesty! We DIDN’T ‘build’ this raft!

MONKEY: Rooster found it! Tangled in the weeds on the other side of the river!

ROOSTER: (to the rhythm of “cock a doodle doo”) So I suggested we FORM a TEAM! To SEE what WE could DOOO!

GOAT: (adding “ahhh” and “ehhh” bleating sound to words as appropriate) And that’s when I offered to break the raft free! By EATING all the WEEDS!

MONKEY: And I offered to carry the raft to the water! And steer it with a stick!

ROOSTER: (to the rhythm of “cock a doodle doo”) Soooo… NOW that we’re HERE with YOUUUU, tell us: HOW did we DOOOO?

JADE EMPEROR: You did well! Very well indeed! (beat) Goat? For the creativity you displayed by breaking the raft free with your appetite, you shall be the EIGHTH animal in the zodiac.

GOAT: (adding “ahhh” and “ehhh” bleating sound to words as appropriate) Thank you, Your Majesty!

JADE EMPEROR: And Monkey! For the nimbleness you showed in getting you and your friends across the river, you shall be NINTH.

MONKEY: Thank you, Your Majesty!

JADE EMPEROR: Last but not least, Rooster! For the leadership you demonstrated by bringing this team together, you shall be TENTH.

ROOSTER: Your Majesty! Thank YOUUUUU!

JADE EMPEROR: The question NOW is… who shall our next finisher be?

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor didn’t need to wait long for an answer. Because just then…

DOG: Woof-woof!

NARRATOR: … loyal and faithful Dog came bounding over, his shaggy body dripping with water.

DOG: (eager) Well, Your Majesty? How did I do in the race? Did I make it into the zodiac?

JADE EMPEROR: You DID make it, Dog! The eleventh position is officially yours. (beat) Though given how fast you run and how well you swim, I assumed you would finish the race sooner!

DOG: And I MEANT to! I really did! But the water was so cool and refreshing and I was having so much fun splashing around! I guess I lost track of time!

JADE EMPEROR: That’s alright. It’s in your nature to be fun-loving and playful. (beat) Since you’re the eleventh animal in the zodiac, let’s wait and see who’s number twelve!

NARRATOR: The group on the shore waited…

…and waited…

…until, at last…who should come waddling toward them…

PIG: (ad-lib snort sound)

NARRATOR: …but Pig!

PIG: Sorry if I’m late! You know we pigs are great runners! AND swimmers! But we’re ALSO great EATERS. And after the race started, my belly started growling. So I stopped for an early-morning snack. Then I stopped for a LATE-morning snack. Then I stopped for lunch. Then I stopped for tea. Then I felt so sleepy, I had to take a nap. (beat) So, two questions: Did I win? And… who wants to join me for dinner?

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor gave Pig’s pink head a friendly pat.

JADE EMPEROR: We appreciate the invitation, Pig; you’ve always been so generous and caring. (beat) And I am pleased to report that you DID win! You earned yourself the TWELFTH position in the zodiac!

NARRATOR: The Jade Emperor motioned for the scribe to record Pig as the final winning contestant. Then he raised his arms high in the air.

JADE EMPEROR: My friends! I thank you for your splendid effort today. From this moment forward, you shall all be remembered with gratitude and honor… as the twelve animals of the zodiac!

[animals cheer]

CAT: HANG ON A MINUTE!!!!

NARRATOR: The animals ceased their cheering… and swiveled their eyes toward bedraggled, breathless Cat. Her sodden body was trembling and her disheveled hair was standing on end.

CAT: (bedraggled, breathless) Am I too late to earn a place in the zodiac?

JADE EMPEROR: I’m afraid you are, Cat! The twelve winners have already been chosen!

CAT: They HAVE??? Who came in first place?

JADE EMPEROR: A rather good friend of yours, I believe! The first animal in the zodiac is officially… RAT!

NARRATOR: Cat froze. Then she arched her back, twitched her tail, and fixed her glittering eyes on her former friend.

CAT: (so angry she can’t find the words) You… you… you RAT! You betrayed me! And now, you’re gonna PAY!

NARRATOR: With a hiss and a yowl…

CAT: (hiss) (yowl)

NARRATOR: …Cat sprang into the air and lunged at Rat. The quick-thinking rodent leaped out of the way…

RAT: (ad-lib leaping out of way)

NARRATOR: …then took off down the shore, scampering and scurrying as fast as his tiny legs could carry him.

Cat never forgave Rat for his betrayal And that’s why, to this very day, cats still chase rats. They’re hoping to get revenge on the cunning little critter who tricked them out of a position in the zodiac… and a place in history.