Date: 2010
In Asian culture there are 12 years of birth representing by 12 kinds of animals, and every year belongs to one of those creatures. For example, 2010 is Tiger’s year, and next year 2011 belongs to Hare.
The story wants to talk about the feeling of farewell to the old time and greeting to the New Year.
In the story, tigers considered themselves to be punished after causing trouble; however the master just replaces two tigers into a hare, as it is New Year time. Therefore the tigers have to wait another 12 years to show up next time.