The Chinese Zodiac
Narrator: Long ago
in ancient
(Scene I: the
Emperor’s
Emperor: I have
invented a calendar to keep track of years. Today will mark the first New Year.
Soldiers, go at once and invite the animals from the
four corners of my kingdom to celebrate.
Soldier: Do you
think all the animals will fit in the
Emperor: Let them
race to the Palace. The first 12 to arrive will be my honored guests.
Soldier: You could
name the new years after the winners.
Emperor: That is a
splendid idea! Go at once and tell the animals.
(Scene II: the
Heavenly Mountain)
Soldier: The
Emperor wishes to summon the animals from the 4 corners of his
kingdom. He is planning a celebration for the very first New Year.
(Enter the
Dragon and the Mountain Goat)
Dragon: Did you
say something about a celebration?
Soldier: There is
to be a race. The first 12 animals to arrive at the
Goat: Race you
down the mountain, Dragon. (Goat and Dragon exit.)
(Enter the
Rooster, Dog, Boar, Water Buffalo and Rat.)
Dog: Did somebody
say PARTY?
Rooster: Well, I’m
all dressed for a party, but you guys…
Water Buffalo: I
thought it was about a race.
Soldier: It’s a
party and a race. The Emperor is having a New Year’s party for the first 12
animals to arrive at the
Rat: I’m so small
I’ll never win. Water Buffalo, you are so strong would you carry me for part of
the way.
Water Buffalo:
Sure, Rat. Hop on. Let’s go. (Water Buffalo and Rat exit.)
Boar: Don’t start
without us! (Exit Rooster, Boar and Dog.)
(Enter Horse,
Rabbit.)
Horse: Are we too
late? What’s this about a party?
Soldier: The
Emperor is having a party for the first 12 animals to arrive at his
Rabbit: We better
hurry, Horse. Everybody has a head start on us. (Exit
Horse and Rabbit.)
(Enter Tiger,
Snake and Monkey.)
Monkey: We heard
there’s a party. Where do we go?
Soldier: The
Emperor’s Palace. And it’s a race, so you better get going.
Tiger: I’m a very
strong runner I’m sure I can catch up.
Snake: I can
slither quickly.
Monkey: I wish I
could swing from tree to tree. Let’s go! (They all exit.)
Narrator: All the
animals raced through the four corners of the kingdom.
(Have all the animals race across the screen as the scenes are changed.)
(The Heavenly
Palace)
Soldier: Here come
the animals, your Imperial Highness.
Emperor: Look. I
think the Water Buffalo will be first.
(Enter Water Buffalo with Rat on his back. Rat jumps off to reach the Emperor first.)
Emperor: Welcome,
Little Rat.
Rat: I win! I Win!
Water Buffalo:
That wasn’t very nice, Rat.
Emperor: You are
BOTH welcome to my party. Go in and enjoy yourselves. (Rat
and Water Buffalo Exit.) Here comes Tiger, and Rabbit. Look.
Dragon is flying in. (Enter Tiger, rabbit, and Dragon.)
Tiger: I got a
late start or I would have been first.
Rabbit: I hopped
as fast as I could.
Dragon: I didn’t
think it was fair for me to fly too fast, so I slowed down to give others a
chance.
Emperor: Welcome.
Go in and enjoy yourselves. (Exit Tiger, Rabbit and
Dragon.)
Soldier: Here come
Snake and Horse. (Enter Snake and Horse.)
Snake: Be careful
not to step on me, Horse.
Horse: I’m sorry, Snake, but I didn’t see you down there.
Emperor: Welcome,
friends. Join the party. (Exit Snake and Horse.)
Soldier: Here come
3 more animals. (Enter Goat, Monkey and Rooster.)
Goat: Are we in
time?
Monkey: Has the
party started?
Rooster: I’m not
over dressed, am I?
Emperor: Yes,
you’re on time. Join the others. Rooster, you look splendid. (Exit
Goat, Monkey and Rooster.)
Soldier: Oh look!
It’s Dog. (Enter Dog.)
Dog: Now that I’m
here, it’s really going to be a party. (Enter Boar.)
Boar: I’m hungry
after running all this way. Is there any food?
Emperor: There is
a splendid feast inside. Go on in. (Exit Dog and Boar.)
Soldier: I think
there is another animal coming.
Emperor: Well,
he’s to late to be part of my system of years. (Enter
the Sphinx.)
Sphinx: I heard there
was a celebration.
Emperor: I’m
sorry. You’re too late. You won’t fit in the scheme of my years. You will just
have to stay in mythological time.
Narrator: And that
is the story of the Chinese Zodiac.