Bulgarian Internet provider bol.bg decorated Wednesday a Christmas tree with computer mice on the eve of the new Chinese year of the rat.

People passing through Slaveykov square in Sofia were surprised by the odd decoration of the Christmas tree as many of them had not heard of the Rat year coming soon.

Still, they were all familiar with the computer mouse as one of the most popular contemporary devices as it has been almost half a century since the first mouse squeaked out of the inventor's lab.

In 1963 Douglas Engelbart created the first device resembling the little animal with a cord attached to its rear part.

Engelbart developed other experimental pointing-devices for different body movements such as head-mounted devices attached to the chin or nose but ultimately the mouse won out because of its simplicity and convenience.

As to the rat in Chinese culture, it is welcomed as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is an animal associated with wealth, charm, and order.

Chinese astrologists say the Rat year will be plentiful and bringing good prospects, and also expect 2008 to be free from explosive events and with far less catastrophes than the years of the Tiger or the Dragon, for example.

When the mice are taken off the Sofia's Christmas tree after the end of the holidays, it will be planted in some of the capital's parks, the Internet provider promised.

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