使用chrome瀏覽器，輕鬆學英文。
A Story About the Chinese Zodiac
During Chinese New Year, Chinese people like to talk about the animal sign for that year. However, not everyone knows how the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac came to be. Here is one story.
Somewhere above the clouds, the Jade Emperor was having a meeting with all the animals. "Naming the Chinese zodiac has troubled me for weeks, but now I know what to do!" The Jade Emperor rose from his seat and continued, "I will hold a swimming race for you, and the first twelve to cross the river will be the signs." After the meeting, Cat told his best friend, Rat, that he wanted to win the race, but he had always been a poor swimmer. Rat, however, told him not to worry. "Ox is strong and swims fast. Let's ask him for help!" Rat said. The day of the race finally came.
When the race started, Cat and Rat jumped onto Ox's back. Thanks to Ox, they were able to cross the river ahead of the others. When the finish line was in sight, Rat was only thinking about winning. He suddenly pushed Cat into the river, hopped off Ox's head, and won first place. Poor Cat almost drowned. When he made it to the river bank, the race had already ended. Since then, cats have stopped being friends with rats. This is why they are always waiting for a chance to get even.
十二生肖的故事
中國新年時，中國人喜愛討論那年的生肖。然而，並不是每個人都知道中國十二生肖的由來。故事如下。
雲中某處，玉皇大帝正和所有的動物開會。「這幾週以來該如何命名中國十二生肖困擾著我，但現在我知道該做什麼了!」玉皇大帝起身並繼續說著，「我將為大家舉辦一場游泳比賽，前十二個最先渡河的動物將成為生肖。」
會議後，貓告訴他最好的朋友－－老鼠，他想要贏得這場比賽，但他一直以來都是個糟糕的游泳者。然而老鼠告訴他不必擔心。「牛既強壯又游得快。我們請他幫忙!」老鼠說。
當比賽開始時，貓和老鼠跳上了牛背。多虧有牛的幫助，他們才能比其他動物領先過河。當終點線近在眼前時，老鼠一心只想著求勝。他突然間把貓推下水，從牛的頭上跳下並且贏得第一名。可憐的貓差一點淹死。當他游到岸邊時，比賽早已結束。從那時開始，貓停止再和老鼠繼續當朋友。這就是為什麼貓總是等待機會報復老鼠。
- Chinese zodiac ['tʃaɪ'niz 'zodɪ͵æk]
生肖
There are twelve animal signs in the Chinese zodiac.
中國生肖有十二種動物生肖。
- Jade Emperor ['dʒed 'ɛmpərɚ]
玉皇大帝
It was said that the Jade Emperor has seven pretty daughters.
傳聞玉皇大帝有七個漂亮的女兒。
- seat [sit] n.
座位
This seat is bigger and more comfortable.
這個座位更大而且更舒服。
- continue [kən'tɪnjʊ] v.
繼續
The show continued for another hour after we left.
這個表演在我們離開後還繼續了一個小時。
- rat [ræt] n.
老鼠
He smelled rats and decided to clean his house right away.
他聞到老鼠的味道並決定立刻清理房子。
- swimmer ['swɪmɚ] n.
游泳者
She is a good swimmer. She has won many prizes so far.
她是一個很好的游泳員。她到目前為止已經贏得很多獎項了。
- ox [ɑks] n.
牛
We were born in the year of the ox.
我們都是牛年出生的。
- hold [hold] v.
舉辦
Let's hold a Halloween party at Josh's place!
我們在喬許家辦萬聖節派對吧!
- ahead of... [ə'hɛd ɑv]
在...之前
Team A is ahead of Team B by 3 points in the basketball game now.
在籃球比賽中，A隊現在領先B隊3分。
- hop [hɑp] v.
跳躍；單腳跳
Look! There's a bunny hopping in the park.
看!公園裡有隻小兔子在跳耶。
- drown [draʊn] v.
溺水；把...淹死
The news reported that six people drowned in the flood.
新聞報導六個人溺斃於洪水中。
- finish line ['fɪnɪʃ 'laɪn]
終點線
You can't give up. You must run to the finish line.
你不能放棄。你必須跑到終點線
- place [ples] n.
名次
She won second place in the talent contest.
她在才藝競賽中得到第二名。
- bank [bæŋk] n.
河岸
Some people are having a barbecue on the river bank.
一些人在河岸邊烤肉。
- get even ['gɛt 'ivən]
報復
I won't get even with Emily because I want to forgive her.
我不會報復艾蜜莉，因為我想原諒她。
