The Chinese Year of the Ox
Dedicated to Sophia and Jonathan in Canada
Read by Jana.
Story by Bertie.
Hello, This is Jana, and I’m here with a story for the Chinese Year of the Ox, which starts on February 12, 2021. If you were born 12 years ago, in 2009, the Ox may well be your star sign.
An Ox is a large animal that looks like a bull, but he is generally patient, hard-working, and easy going. And people who are born in the year of the Ox are said to be like that too!
If you have heard our story, the Chinese Year of the Animals, you will know that the Ox is the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac. You may recall that all the animals took part in a swimming race to decide what order they should come in. The powerful Ox was the strongest swimmer, and he kindly allowed the rat to ride on his back. But when he was close to the other side of the river, the sneaky rat jumped off the ox’s back and arrived first.
So how is it that humans are so fortunate as to have this strong and useful animal to help them grow food? This story gives you the answer.
In the old days, the Ox lived among the stars with the gods and worked as a messenger. If the Jade Emperor, who ruled heaven and earth, wanted to make an announcement to humankind, he would send the ox to deliver the message.
Now one day, the emperor looked down at the earth, and saw how miserable human beings were feeling, because they did not have enough to eat. The gods, of course, had everything they wanted to eat, and more, and it occurred to him that it would be nice if people could eat more often too - at least once every three days.
In order to make things better for the humans, he decided to sprinkle the earth with more frequent rain, so that the crops would grow faster. He thought to himself that when the people learned about this kind gesture, they would love him even more. He summoned the Ox to his throne room, and commanded him to travel down to earth and announce the happy news.
The Ox bowed and went on his way. He flew down to earth and found a good position on the top of a high hill, where he could make his proclamation.
“Hear, now, hear now. All you hungry People of the Earth,” he bellowed out in his deep and mellow voice, “His Serene Majesty, The Jade Lord, the Most High Emperor of the Lands of Pure Happiness, and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments, orders the people of the Earth to work hard on the land, each and every day. Put your backs into your work, and do not laze or loaf around. In return for your hard work, he wishes to inform you, that henceforth all humans will enjoy three good meals a day. Work hard, be happy, and never go hungry!”
Of course, when the people of the Earth heard the bull of heaven announce this divine message, it filled their hearts with joy. They danced, sang and celebrated, sending their praises up to the heavens where the Jade Emperor sat and smiled on his throne.
“Well that went down pretty well,” the emperor told himself.
He summoned the Ox to his throne to give him his thanks.
“Well done Ox,” he said. “It seems that the people of Earth are delighted to be able to eat once every three days. It’s not so hard to please them. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this plan before.”
And then the Ox realised that he had made a mistake.
“Oh Majestic Lord,” he said bowing deeply, “I think I must have got in a teeny weeny bit of a muddle. I think I told them that if they worked hard they could eat three times a day.”
“What!” exclaimed the Jade Lord jumping to his feet!
The bull knelt down even lower to the ground, “My Lord, I have messed up, I am so sorry, I will not do it again.”
“You Bovine Dimwit!” shouted the Emperor, and so saying, he grabbed the Ox by his horns and flung him down from the heavens all the way to earth. The poor Ox landed with a crash and shattered his upper teeth - which is why to this day cows and Oxen have no upper teeth - merely a hard leathery pad which they use to chomp on grass.
Ever since that happened, the Ox has been making up for his mistake. He has been patiently and goodnaturedly pulling ploughs, waterwheels, and wagons. Humans have been blessed to have the good natured Ox help them farm the land and grow food, but as you now know, it was all because of a silly mistake when the Ox muddled up a message from the Jade Emperor.
And I'm delighted to dedicate this story to Sophia and Jonathan in Canada. They are 7 and 4 years old, and they love to listen to storynory in the car and have heard some of our stories many times over - and we are wishing their family a Very Happy New Year - especially as they tell us that their mum is Chinese. And to all our listeners we wish you all a very happy lunar new year of the Ox.
And if you do plan to celebrate Chinese New Year - and you should - there are some traditions that you should know about. Never cut your hair at Chinese New Year because that could represent cutting your life short. Also, it’s supposed to be particularly lucky to eat fish - but don’t eat it all - leave a bit on your plate so that you will always have more than you need in life.
Wishing everyone a very prosperous and fortunate New Year!
And if you would like to support Storynory on Patreon, we are uploading some special content that is aimed at listeners who are slightly older - so that all your family can get the most out of Storynory. Just go to patreon.com forward slash storynory.
For now, from me Jana at storynory.com, bye for now.
Happy Chinese New Year, my name is Sina, my family is Italian but my great grandmother was Chinese. We don’t ever have celebrates Chinese New Year but it is nice tradition I think. My animal is dragon. What is your animal?
Sina Cicconi — February 11, 2021
Hi I love this story my animal is a 🐉dragon🐉 what is yours? Also YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!
Tom — February 12, 2021
Great story!!! 😊
Joshy — February 12, 2021
Hey we are near the top!
Thanks for all your amazing work!
My son is the snake and I’m… A sheep! Uh oh! Lol
Alex & George — February 12, 2021
I am the Tiger along with my dad and our dog. My little brother and mom are both dragons.
Kai — February 12, 2021
Hi everyone my name Lia My animal is the tiger and by the way I enjoyed reading this great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐅🐅🐅🐅
With great thanks
from Lia
(Tiger Lilly)
Tiger lilly — February 13, 2021
Hi My name is Ella! My family is from China but I was born here but China is my culture! Chinese New Year is a special tradition for my culture! My zodiac sign is Libra! What is yours?
Ella — February 13, 2021
hi awesome story thank you!
MElania — February 13, 2021
I enjoyed this very much Jana, thank you!
Williem — February 14, 2021
nice story
megan — February 14, 2021
Extremely good thanks Jana 😍
Tiga — February 15, 2021
I love this
Warrior cat fan — February 15, 2021
Soooooo good, I enjoyed it sooooooo much 😄😄😄
Kelly — February 15, 2021
Hi! it was good 🙂
Juli — February 15, 2021
Nice
Pig Squad — February 15, 2021
Yes I enjoyed this story very much. I work at a language Immersion school and shared this story.
Maddy — February 15, 2021
Thank you Maddy ☺️
Jana Elizabeth — February 15, 2021
yes i did very much i did not know all this imformation intill now
michael — February 15, 2021
hello! i really liked the story but i was wondering if you could create an autoplay feature or way to create playlists so i can listen to these before going to sleep. thanks
aditi — February 16, 2021
Good story😉
Marcus — February 16, 2021
This was a very interesting story! I loved this book!this is officially my favourite book of all time! Loved it!
Tayla — February 16, 2021
I am finally near to have first comment so I’m 5th 😇!!!!!
Anonymous — February 16, 2021
I like Chinese year.
It’s so fun.
Elwin — February 17, 2021
woah best story i have ever read! My cousin is also an ox!! LOL ITS TRUE
Anonymous — February 17, 2021
Dear storynory, I had the greatest idea and I thought I would tell you about it! I think you should write a story about a cat named Emmie who lives in a house with two little girls and their mom, the cat thinks she is the queen of the house and often has funny arguments with the dog named pearl who lives their too. I don’t know if you would like that idea since it sounds a bit like lapis but I like catty characters and dogs so please respond! -thank you
Leotie 🌼🌿💮 — February 17, 2021
Thanks for your lovely story suggestion leotie 😊
Jana Elizabeth — February 17, 2021
Liked it
Bob — February 17, 2021
Ok
Not telling — February 17, 2021
Hi, This is a kinda thing this is interesting!
Syeda — February 17, 2021
Great story, you’re the best Jana 😀 Thankz so much
Cory — February 17, 2021
i love lunar new year i wish i can do it
coelia Marie — February 17, 2021
What is 2012
Saavi — February 18, 2021
Wow this story is so nice and I like it so much that I want to hear it again and again and so fun and good for Chinese people and those who celebrate Chinese new year bye frome the Bengal kid rishan bye Tata
RISHAN — February 18, 2021
this is nice work love it lmao
Anonymous — February 18, 2021
Good
emily — February 18, 2021
Halo good story 😅😅😅
RISHAN — February 18, 2021
happy chinese new year!
im chinese so im happy!!!!!!!!!!!
oh, and hey im a rabbit born in 2011 so im 9 right now. and chinese new year lasts for 15 days. 新年快乐!
祝你身体好,and remember to put the chinese words in the translater if u dont know chinese!!!
happy new year!!!
pr,pr,ppp! (please reply, please responde, please please please!)
U (aka koalabelle) — February 21, 2021
I love it so much!!!!!!!!!! I’m born in 2011
Nelly — February 21, 2021
Yes, it is a funny story because of the events.
Tristan — February 22, 2021
Yes I like the story my favorite part is when the ox said he made a mistake.
ainhoa — February 22, 2021
i like the story because i like thing’s that is about ox’s and happy story’s
Jenny — February 22, 2021
I liked this story because it shows how the ox was helpful.
Muhammad Ibrahim — February 22, 2021
Yes I like the story of the Chinese year of the ox
Mubarak muhaiyaddeen — February 22, 2021
Your stories are all wonderful Jana! I really love them 😘
Robin — February 22, 2021
Thank you Robin 😊
Jana Elizabeth — February 22, 2021
Hello, my name is khloud, from Yemen. My family is Yemeni and loved this story and I hope to go to 🐉 China to celebrated 😍
Thanks Nujoud- February 22, 2021 — February 22, 2021
Wonderfully read Jana! Happy face 😁😁😁
Gabriella — February 22, 2021
I like this story because I learn something new about Chinese New Year. For example, people should not have haircut on Chinese New Year day in order not to shorten their lives. I think, it is interesting.
Gabriel I. — February 22, 2021
Happy New Year to all the Storynory.com members and the one’s who read Storynory books. My Animal is the Tiger! What are your Animals?
Zoe Wang — February 23, 2021
Perfect story, good job and nice reading Jana 😚😚😚
Barbella — February 24, 2021
Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nairah — February 25, 2021
hi my name is foxy-foxy my year is the ox so this year!!! and my mom is a tiger and one of my brothers is a rabbit and the other is a horse and my dad is the snake.
also i have a request please make more stories about animals
thanks!
ox girl — February 25, 2021
Thank you Ox girl. Yes more stories coming 😊
Jana Elizabeth — February 26, 2021
I love this story
Naushad — February 25, 2021
I really really love it it’s so wonderful 🥰 😍
Zoe — February 26, 2021
Jana more stories from you please!!! You’re awesome can’t wait for more 😎😘😗🥰😍🤞
Beverly — February 26, 2021
I like the intro
Anonymous — February 28, 2021
I like this story-my name is Katherine and i’m white or tan
Katherine — March 1, 2021
I am a water dragon
Eve — March 1, 2021
that is a good story 🙂
Ola — March 1, 2021
yes! it was Fun but i did some reasearch that the year of the ox was this year in 2021 so
it was really helpful and i can’t wait to see more chinese zodiacs!! my chinese zodiac is a Tiger but i would also like to know whats your ZODIAC SIGN (regular) my 2 zodiacs are virgo,tiger!
Ashlynn — March 2, 2021
Very good
Yan — March 2, 2021
I am snake
Bru — March 3, 2021
that was good
Archie — March 3, 2021
I give this story half tumbsup
Likith Vennapusa — March 3, 2021
It is good😁
Selena — March 3, 2021
Heyo call me Leov! Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!! Well I’m 12 years old this year! Infact, My birthday was on February 13! So.. It means I’m an Ox! Yay a story about my animal! Amazing story! What’s your animal?
– Leov
~+.Leov.+~ — March 4, 2021
I liked it a lot it was very fun and interesting and I have also played a game that is about the Chinese lunar new year but in this story I got to know about it even more
Zamaira — March 4, 2021
Amazing story!!
freddie — March 4, 2021
my name is nikilesh i loved the story a lot myanimal is a libra
nikilesh — March 5, 2021
I had seen the Chines new year before . last year i have been in Thailand `t the same time of this celebration . it was so nice and crazy in the same time . hope to live this experiment again
Fares — March 6, 2021
Awesome .I liked it so much
Tulip — March 7, 2021