A long time ago the Jade Emperor declared that since it was his birthday he would hold a race to determine which animals would represent years. The first twelve animals to win the race would get a year named after them. The cat and rat who were friends asked the kind ox to help them win the race promising that when they reached the finish line he could cross first. As they were crossing the river the rat meanly pushed the cat of and because the cat hated water he almost drowned. As they drew closer to the finish line the rat jumped of the ox and ran to cross it. The ox came after it followed by the tiger, the king of all animals. The rabbit hopped to the finish line closely behind the tiger. The dragon, who was thought to have been first for he had wings, finally crosses and after him came the snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and finally the pig.
Why Cats Hate Rats
When cat had finally swam out of the river the race was over and thats why cats always chase rats.

The Chinese zodiac