Mice
鼠
Whether a black cat or white cat
无论黑猫白猫
If it loves mice, it’s a good cat
爱鼠都是好猫
So long as it likes fishy food
只要喜欢鲜腥
You have way out to cheer its mood
就能投其所好
Bull
牛
One remnant horn is left atop
剩下一只残角
As a weapon for self-defense
留作防身利器
Sacrificed is one horn, one lop
献出一只犄角
The bugle call to charge from hence
吹响进击号子
Tiger
虎
The tiger’s brother is the cat
猫是虎的小弟
The cat’s disciple is the tiger
虎是猫的徒弟
The teacher’s in the room, and that
师傅进了卧室
In the cage must be the brother
哥哥进了笼子
Rabbit
兔
Looking around, the wondering souls
眼观六路迷茫
So wary, were given a scare
耳听八方惊慌
Last night they worked to make three holes
昨夜筑成三窟
This morning they fell into a snare
今晨落入电网
Dragon
龙
None has seen or will ever see
谁也没有见过
But everyone knows that it’s me
谁都知道是我
No flesh or blood, no length or girth
没有血肉身躯
But I survive the sky and earth
活得天长地久
Snake
蛇
Once you are bitten by a snake
一朝你被蛇咬
Don’t fear a rope, don’t be afraid
君莫再怕井绳
A snake sometimes bites, it’s an ache
毒蛇偶尔伤人
But venom can save and can aid
蛇毒常常救人
Horse
马
Grassland, slaughter house, battle ground
牧场疆场屠场
Race course, casino, and bazaar
赛场赌场市场
The sky and earth shrink round by round
天地越来越小
While its name travels near and far
名气越来越响
Sheep
羊
Though its horns are gracefully curled
虽然犄角健美
It’s no fighter, nothing
绝非斗士
It has left a phrase to the world:
留下一句成语
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
狼披羊皮
Monkey
猴
They’d get the moon, tail to tail tied
曾因结尾捞月
For this the world oft them deride
世代遭人嘲笑
Hearing cocks crow and the dawn greet
听见人间鸡叫
They feel their hearts violently beat
心里怦怦直跳
Chicken
鸡
Looking like birds, not birds are they
像鸟又不是鸟
Having wings, they can’t fly their way
有翅却飞不高
They sing their song as morning call
司晨爱唱山歌
And, having laid eggs, brag: laid all
下蛋也哼小调
Dog
狗
Of the human world they’re pets sweet
混成人间宠物
But it’s not snug life, whatever
活得也不安乐
Flaming fire, hotpot and dog meat
狗肉火锅火红
Seeing them all dogs but shiver
狗狗浑身哆嗦
Pig
猪
Why not live well, one can live well
要想活得快乐
Why not eat well, eat well like hell
先要吃得快活
Men fatten me. Fatten me please
人在给我催肥
I will make you fat, give you grease
我在催人增肥