A Proud Tiger: Leon's Journey

Hello Everyone!

It was quite difficult to choose Leon's website name. I wanted to select something meaningful.

Do you know the true meaning of the Chinese zodiac? When you think of the Chinese zodiac, many people think of animals such as the rabbit and the dragon, but in fact, there are 12 animals. So what does the Chinese zodiac actually mean?

In China, Jupiter is considered an important celestial body, and since Jupiter orbits the sun every 12 years, the number 12 became the basis for thinking about time. It is believed that there are 12 months in a year and 12 hours in a day, and this is said to be the origin of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.

There is a lovely fairy tale that is often told to children. It goes something like this:

Long ago, God wrote a letter saying, "On the morning of January 1st, whoever comes first through 12th will be the leader of the animals, and we will take turns making them the leader for one year." Animals all over the country who received the letter started running at the same time the next morning whilst it was still dark, each trying to be first.

However, the cat did not leave because it had heard from the rat that it was "the morning of January 2nd." At first, the dog and the monkey ran side by side in harmony, but soon they became desperate and finally started a big fight on the log bridge.

When the sun finally rose on the new year, the cow, which had set out the previous evening, appeared first. However, the rat, who was riding on the cow's back, hopped off and ran in front of God, saying, "Happy New Year, God!"

The cow was actually the first to arrive, and cried "Moo, Moo!" in frustration. Next came the tiger, then the rabbit and the dragon. In this way, the animals arrived one after another, in the order of snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, and boar. The frog, who was 13th, was disappointed and said, "Enough, frog," and went home.

The gods and the zodiac animals began their drinking party, but the dog and monkey were still fighting. Then a cat appeared with great anger and chased the mouse. That's why even today, cats chase mice, and dogs and monkeys don't get along.

Leon loves this fairy tale and often watches it on video. He knows that he was born in the year of the tiger, and is very happy about it.

I wanted to include this tiger on my website, and because Leon has had many difficulties with autism, but has grown up to be a person who is always smiling and kind to everyone, I named it "A Proud Tiger."

Let's watch Leon grow up together.