<P> Hidden on its hoof was the Snake, whose sudden appearance gave it a fright, thus making it fall back and giving the Snake the sixth spot, while the Horse placed seventh . After a while, the Goat, Monkey and Rooster came to the heavenly gate . With combined efforts they managed to arrive to the other side . The Rooster found a raft and the Monkey and the Goat tugged and pulled trying to get all the weeds out of the way . </P> <P> The Jade Emperor was pleased with their teamwork and decided to name the Goat as the eighth animal followed by the Monkey and then the Rooster . The eleventh animal placed in the zodiac cycle was the Dog . Although it should have been the best swimmer it wanted to stay in the water and play for a bit . Though his explanation for being late was because it needed a good bath after a long spell . For that, it almost did not make it to the finish line . </P> <P> Right when the Emperor was going to close the race, an "oink" sound was heard: it was the Pig . "Lazy little Pig" originated from this story . The Pig felt hungry in the middle of the race, so it stopped, ate something and then fell asleep . After it awoke, it finished the race in twelfth place and became the last animal to arrive . The cat eventually drowned, and did not make it in the zodiac . It is said that this is the reason cats always hunt Rats . </P> <P> Another folk story tells that the Rat deceived the Ox into letting it jump on its back, in order for the Ox to hear the Rat sing, before jumping off at the finish line and finishing first . </P>

Who came last in the chinese new year race