The Twelve Animals and The Asia Foundation

Jul 13, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

This document introduces "Let's Read," an initiative by The Asia Foundation, featuring the story "The Twelve Animals" by Sancha Kumari Lama Tamang, illustrated by Laxmi Tamang. The story explains the Tamang tradition of associating each year with a different animal from a twelve-animal cycle, known as 'lho'. The narrative unfolds through a conversation between a boy and his grandfather, who explains the meaning of 'lho' and describes the characteristics of the first few animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, and Cat. The boy discovers his own 'lho' is the Rat, known for its love of eating. The initiative, as depicted by the 'Let's Read' logo featuring an elephant reading an open book, signifies a commitment to promoting literacy and storytelling, likely within Asian communities given The Asia Foundation's scope. The visual design elements, including the friendly elephant mascot and the prominent text 'Let's Read', suggest an engaging and accessible approach to encouraging reading among children and families. The inclusion of The Asia Foundation's logo anchors the project within a reputable organization dedicated to international development and partnerships.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time34 min

AccessFree to download

The Twelve Animals

Rat

Tiger

Cat

FAQs

What is the meaning of 'lho' in the Tamang culture?

'Lho' means 'year' in the Tamang culture, where each year is represented by a different animal from a twelve-animal cycle.

Which animals are described in the story?

The story describes the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and Cat, mentioning their associated characteristics such as eating, hard work, bravery, and quietness.

What is the 'Let's Read' initiative?

'Let's Read' is an initiative by The Asia Foundation aimed at promoting reading and storytelling, visually represented by an elephant reading a book.

Jul 13, 2026

Uploaded by Riley