We need not feel ashamed of flirting with the zodiac. The zodiac is well worth flirting with.
— Lillian Smith, American writer
We often read about the wealthiest, powerful and most influential people in the country and have often wondered whether we truly know who they are.
We have heard the same old story — they all want to become model leaders, save the world or better still, become saints.
Now that we are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I wonder what is going through the minds of these filthy rich people?
It’s been a year with millions affected by this terrible scourge, and I wonder if we realise that this is a wake-up call, not only for the rich and famous, but for all of us.
In Malaysia alone, we have almost reached the 300,000 mark of reported cases.
Since we are in the Year of the Golden Ox, I decided to check out the Chinese zodiac to find out what the animals have in store for us.
As the story goes, the zodiac was the brainchild of the Jade Emperor in Heaven who assigned 12 different animals a designated calendar sign according to their talents and organised a Great Race.
To reach “Heaven”, the animals had to cross a river before the race ended at the gate of the palace.
Some of the animals had their own schemes and a few teamed up.
As the story goes, the Rat got up very early in the morning and rushed to the start of the race but discovered that the Ox had beat the gun and was ahead.
Since the Rat was a talented singer, he made a deal with the Ox when he caught up — he agreed to sing for him if he was given a ride across river.
Just after crossing to the other side of the bank, the Rat quickly jumped on land and scampered towards the palace.
The Rat was declared the first animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Though he was unhappy with the Rat, the Ox took comfort that he came second.
In third place was the Tiger, a powerful swimmer.
Next came the Rabbit who was smart enough to jump on a floating log to the opposite side.
Even though the Dragon, the most powerful animal in the zodiac, was fifth and could have easily flown to the palace, the Emperor was pleased with him because he had stopped along the way to bring rain to a drought-ridden village.
The Snake was next because he had curled around the Horse’s legs and got there before the latter.
Three other animals used teamwork to cross the river — the Goat, Monkey and Rooster — building a raft and were declared eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.
Next was the Dog, and last but not least, the Pig.
The story of the zodiac animals become more interesting when you relate it to humans, for example, some of our leaders.
Three of Sarawak’s most powerful politicians for three decades are a combination of Pehin Sri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and his deputy chief ministers Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.
Both Taib and Dr Chan, who were classmates at St Joseph’s, were born in the year of the Rat. Jabu was born in the year of the Dragon.
Appropriately, current chief minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is the man of the moment.
Abang Johari is a Tiger in the Chinese zodiac, and a Leo in the astrological signs.
After four years in office, Abang Jo has steered Sarawak well and continued with the state’s ongoing development plan.
The federal government has been so pleased with Sarawak that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has treated the state with dignity and great aplomb!
Even though Muhyiddin finished last in the Chinese zodiac, he has held the country together.
Together with teammate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, he toppled the Barisan Nasional, led by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, a Snake in the Chinese zodiac.
But Muhyiddin must stay on his toes because this is the year of the Golden Cow and Dr Mahathir is an Ox.
As for me, I’m quite happy to continue earning my stripes in the challenging and exciting profession as a writer and Jade Emperor willing, will reap the rewards of the Water Tiger, come 2022.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
