Here's a submission for this month's challenge. I was born in the 10th year of the Chinese calendar, so I'm a Rooster. Roosters are hardworking, loyal, and proud, and I wanted my piece to reflect that.
When I saw the challenge prompt, I was SO EXCITED. I'm Chinese-American, so the prompt means a lot to me. I immediately got to work, writing this piece based on music I listened to growing up. I really, REALLY hope I do well this challenge, because of how special it is to me.
Rather than just embodying the characteristics of my animal, I wrote this piece about a myth I learned when I was 6 years old. The myth is called "The Rooster's Antlers," and it is the story of how the rooster was chosen 10th.
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Long ago, when the Jade Emperor was selecting the animals for the calendar, every animal wanted to be included — the rat, the goat, the centipede, the dragon... and of course, the rooster. Rooster was the most beautiful animal in the land, with a pair of gorgeous antlers, and he *knew* he would be chosen.
The day before the ceremony, Rooster was approached by Dragon, who was sensitive about his bald head. Dragon asked Rooster if he could borrow Rooster's antlers for the ceremony, in order to have a better chance at being picked. Rooster, sure he could make it with or without his antlers, generously lent his antlers to Dragon.
At the ceremony, the Jade Emperor selects the animals one by one. Dragon is selected fifth, but Rooster has to wait until tenth to hear his name called. Rooster is furious — after all, if he had been wearing his beautiful antlers, he surely would have been picked first! Worse, Dragon refuses to return the antlers to Rooster. They say that to this day, when the rooster calls at sunrise, he is crowing for the dragon to return what is rightfully his.
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To all you out there, thank you SO MUCH for 400 followers! I appreciate all of you. I worked so hard on this over the last week, so please enjoy!