Seems the rat and the ox got in an argument about who should get premier position in the Chinese Zodiac.

"I should get it" said the Rat, "cos I'm the smartest."

"No, I should get it," snorted the Ox, "because I'm the biggest!"

"Smartest!"

"Biggest!"

They went on and on for hours about it, and neither one would yield the point. Finally the Rat said "Look, this is silly. I am in fact larger than you anyway!"

"You've lost your mind," said the Ox, indignantly. "Anyone can see I'm the biggest!"

"Well, I still think I'm bigger than you...but maybe I'm wrong," mused the Rat. "Maybe you really are bigger. Would you be willing to put the question to the people, if I have the advantage of a small handicap?"

"What's the handicap?" asked the Ox.

"Would you let the Taoist master do a spell that makes me twice as big as my usual size?" said the Rat.

"Ha!" retorted the Ox. "That won't do you any good! I'm bigger than 50 rats. Go ahead."

The spell was cast, and the Rat and the Ox walked out into a busy street.

"Look!" yelled all the people. "LOOK AT THAT HUGE RAT!!!!"

Everyone ingored the poor Ox entirely, and the Rat got the favored spot on the Zodiac.

So, tell me, what's your definition of "large"?

- LH