However, the mouse did not wake up the cat the next day, but instead went to the palace on its own. When the Jade Emperor called the cat, he saw only the little mouse. The mouse took the opportunity to denounce the cat's disrespect for the Jade Emperor, as the cat didn't come and was still sleeping. The Jade Emperor was so angry he immediately decided to let the mouse take the place of the cat. The other animals didn't know the mouse's scheme, so they all agreed.

Next, it was time to announce the rankings. The mouse recommended itself for first place and jumped on the bull's horn. From a distance, the mouse was on top, so everyone shouted "mouse" at the same time. Seeing everyone supported the mouse, the Jade Emperor agreed with public opinion and put mouse in the first position of the Chinese zodiac. From then on, cat and mouse became rivals.