The Twelve Animals

"Ratty, come here," the boy's grandfather says. "Please do not call me Ratty," the boy says.

"But your birth year is the lho of the rat," the boy's grandfather says.

"What is 'lho'?" the boy asks. "‘Lho' means 'year'," the boy's grandfather says. "For Tamangs, each year is a different animal. "There are twelve animals." *Tamang are a group of people originating in Nepal who share a similar culture that is passed on from one generation to the next.

The boy's grandfather asks, "Do you want to hear about them?" "Yes," the boy replies.

"Rat loves to eat," the boy's grandfather begins.

"Oh wow, that’s my lho," the boy says.

"Ox works very hard," the boy's grandfather says.

"Tiger is brave and not afraid of anyone.

"Cat loves to sit quietly.

"Dragon says sorry when it breaks things.

"Snake loves to read and write.

"Horse loves to have fun.

"Sheep enjoys new clothes.

"Monkey fixes things it breaks.

"Rooster is full of energy.

"Dog is loyal and sensitive.

"Pig loves to share its food.

"These animals make up the twelve-year cycle," the boy's grandfather explains.