The Warm-hearted Little Horse in the Chinese Zodiac Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor wanted to choose the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals to guard the world. He ordered all small animals to take a running race. The twelve fastest and most caring ones would become zodiac animals, forever remembered and loved. On the race day, the forest was lively at dawn. The rabbit hopped with long ears, the tiger strode proudly, and the mouse hid behind a tree. A lovely little horse named Lele came, with golden mane and strong legs. It ran with a "clop-clop" sound like a drum, thinking: I must run well for a good rank! "Ready—run!" The Jade Emperor shouted, and all animals rushed out. Lele ran fast and steady, passing the rabbit and sheep, and was about to reach the turning point halfway up the mountain. Suddenly, Lele heard a soft whimper: "Woo... it hurts!" It stopped and saw a little goat named Duoduo sitting on a stone, with a swollen front leg and tears falling. Duoduo had slipped on a mossy stone and sprained its foot while running too fast. Lele ran over, touched Duoduo's wound gently and said: "Duoduo, don't be sad. I'll take you to the nearby cabin for herbs." Duoduo said quietly: "But the race? You'll fall behind if you take me." Lele smiled and shook its golden mane: "Your injury is more important than the race! I'm strong enough to carry you." It squatted down, let Duoduo climb on its back, stood up steadily, and walked slowly to the cabin carefully, not wanting to jolt Duoduo. After sending Duoduo to the cabin and applying herbs, Lele rushed to the race, but other animals were far ahead. It didn't get the first place but was not sad. The Jade Emperor smiled and said: "You're not the fastest, but your kind heart is more important than any rank." Thus, the warm-hearted Lele was selected into the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, symbolizing bravery, kindness and warmth.