The Great Race
NARRATOR: Long ago in China, there was no way to count the years. The Jade Emperor wanted to help.
EMPEROR: We will have a big race! The first twelve animals to cross the river will win.
NARRATOR: Rat and Cat were best friends back then. But they were both very bad at swimming.
RAT: The river is too wide. We will never win.
CAT: Let us ask Ox for help. He is big and strong.
OX: Hello, friends! You can sit on my back while I swim.
NARRATOR: Rat and Cat jumped onto the back of Ox. Ox began to swim across the deep water.
NARRATOR: They were ahead of all the other animals. But Rat wanted to win the first place for himself.
RAT: Look at that pretty fish, Cat! Lean over and see!
NARRATOR: Rat gave Cat a big push. Splash! Cat fell into the cold water.
CAT: Help! I do not like water! Why did you push me, Rat?
NARRATOR: Ox did not see Rat push Cat. He kept swimming to the shore.
EMPEROR: I see Ox coming! He is almost at the finish line.
RAT: I must be first! Here I go!
NARRATOR: Rat ran up the neck of Ox. He jumped onto the dry land.
EMPEROR: Rat is the winner! The first year of the zodiac belongs to Rat.
OX: Oh! You jumped ahead! But I am happy to be second.
EMPEROR: Good job, Ox. You are second.
NARRATOR: Cat finally got out of the water. But he was too late to win a year.
CAT: I am so mad at you, Rat! We are not friends anymore!
NARRATOR: And that is why cats still do not like rats today. That is how the great race ended.
Listen to The Great Race
PicoBuddy read-aloud story
- Emperor:
- A ruler of a country or empire, similar to a king.
- Zodiac:
- A special system of counting years named after twelve different animals.
- Shore:
- The dry land at the edge of a body of water, like a river or lake.
- Dry land:
- Ground that is solid and not covered by water.
You Might Also Like
About this reader's theater passage for Lower Elementary
“The Great Race” is a reader's theater reading passage about Chinese Zodiac, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (292 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.