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-folktales-
THE GREAT
RACE
by Christine Platt
illustrated by Evelt Yanait
An Imprint of Magic Wagon
abdobooks.com
About the Author
Christine A. Platt is an author and scholar of African and
African-American history. A beloved storyteller of the African
diaspora, Christine enjoys writing historical fiction and non-fiction
for people of all ages. You can learn more about her and her
work at christineaplatt.com.
For the storytellers who capture and
preserve histories--thank you! CP
To Edgard and Alicia, for their endless love and care EY
abdobooks.com
Published by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55439. Copyright 2021 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in
all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission
from the publisher. Calico Kid is a trademark and logo of Magic Wagon.
Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota.
052021
092021
Written by Christine Platt
Illustrated by Evelt Yanait
Edited by Tyler Gieseke
Art Directed by Candice Keimig
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020948575
Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Platt, Christine, author. | Yanait, Evelt, illustrator.
Title: The great race / by Christine Platt : illustrated by Evelt Yanait
Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota : Magic Wagon, 2022 | Series: Folktales
Summary: Twelve animals race to determine where they will stand on the Chinese zodiac
calendar, and each animals unique quality comes into play!
Identifiers: ISBN 9781098230241 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781098230807 (ebook) | ISBN
9781098231088 (Read-to-Me ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Folk literature, Chinese--Juvenile literature. | Zodiac--Juvenile literature. |
Animals--Juvenile literature. | Running races--Juvenile literature. | Folktales--Juvenile
literature.
Classification: DDC 398.2--dc23
Table of Contents
Chapter #1
A SPECIAL
HONOR
Many years ago in China, Jade
Emperor invited all the animals in
the world to compete in a great race.
He promised that the winner would
receive a high honor.
Of all the animals, best friends Rat
and Cat were most excited.
Be sure to come and wake me up
for the race tomorrow, Cat said. I
dont want to oversleep! Sleeping
was Cats favorite activity.
Of course, Rat said with a smile.
Thats what friends are for.
Other animals decided to join the
race too. Snake would try to outwit
his opponents. Speed would be
Horses strength. And Monkey was
skilled at swinging in trees.
That evening, the animals all went
to bed dreaming of the many prizes
the winner might earn. They were so
thrilled that they couldnt think of
anything else.
Jade Emperor was eager to see
how many animals would participate
in his great race. To everyones
surprise, just twelve showed up the
next morning. Some thought the race
would be canceled. Instead, Jade
Emperor had an idea.
Every animal that showed up
today will receive a high honor, he
declared. You will each win a spot
on the Chinese zodiac calendar based
on the order you cross the finish line.
Every twelve years, people around the
world will celebrate you.
The animals were delighted. Now
the great race would be even more
important.
As Jade Emperor announced that the
race was about to begin, each animal
wondered which would come in first
place. And each wondered which would
be last.
They all lined up at the starting line.
Chapter #2
READY,
SET, GO!
Ready, set? Jade Emperor asked.
He waited. Go!
And all of the animals went.
The race was very difficult. The
animals had to run through a forest.
They jumped over rocks and climbed the
tallest trees. At the end was the biggest
challenge of all a vast river.
No animal received special
treatment. No matter an animals size
or whether the animal could swim,
each had to cross. The finish line was
on the other side.
Rat and Ox reached the river
first. Because Rat was small, he was
exhausted. But he was also very
cunning.
Ox, could I sit on your head as
you swim? Rat asked politely. I
am so small that Ill never make it
without help!
Ox saw no harm in helping little
Rat, so he said, Of course!
But as soon as they reached the
other side, Rat hopped off Oxs
head and sprinted over the finish
line. So, Ox comes after Rat on the
Chinese zodiac calendar.
Tiger was close behind, and he was
a good swimmer. But he wasnt as
fast as Ox. So, he came in third place.
Rabbit tried his best to swim as
fast as he could. But he tired quickly.
When he was about to give up, he
climbed onto a log and drifted to
shore. Rabbit was exhausted but also
excited he wasnt last.
Eight more animals to go!
Chapter #3
MIDDLE OF
THE PACK
Dragon was close behind Rabbit.
He had even started out in the lead.
But dragons are very helpful
creatures. When he saw a village on
fire, Dragon left the race to save the
villagers. He used his strong breath to
blow out the flames.
When he returned to the race,
Rabbit was just ahead of him. Rabbit
didnt know it, but Dragon once again
used his breath this time, to help
send Rabbits log to shore. Dragon
was pleased to take fifth place.
Horse thought he could win. He was
a strong runner and swimmer. But
when he got to the river, he realized
five others had already finished!
Desperately, he leapt into the water.
Horse was so focused on the race that
he didnt notice when Snake wrapped
himself around one of Horses legs.
Snake was crafty. When Horse
reached the shoreline, Snake yelled,
Hiss!
Oh my! Horse was so frightened
that he forgot about the race for a
minute. Snake left him in shock and
slithered across the finish line. Horse
soon galloped into seventh place.
The animals waited eagerly to see
which racer would finish next.
Chapter #4
LAST
LEG
Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster reached
the river a little ahead of Pig and Dog.
Sheep knew the three in the lead
were not strong swimmers. Why dont
we work together? he said to Monkey
and Rooster. Then we can be certain
none of us comes in last. Monkey and
