Journey to the West 7-9

Little Fox Journey to the West Chapter 7 The Land of Darkness Sun Wukong put his hand on the iron pillar. He felt it move. Hmm, he thought. This piece of iron really is magical. I bet it will do whatever I want it to do. Smaller, commanded Wukong. The pillar shrank. Soon, it was just a little taller than Wukong. He picked it up and swung it around. This is a perfect weapon for me, he said. I can't believe he can lift it, said the Dragon Queen. Wukong made the bar even smaller. Soon, it was no bigger than a pin. He placed it inside his ear. I've got what I want, said Wukong. Goodbye. He turned around and left. He was very rude, said the Dragon Queen. The Dragon King clenched his fists. I'm going to report him to the Jade Emperor. Back home, the others were amazed by Wukong's new weapon. Nobody will ever attack us again, declared Wukong. The monkeys and apes cheered. They held a big feast that lasted until late at night. Wukong went to bed happy. But as he fell asleep, two spirits grabbed him. What are you doing? asked Wukong. Let go of me. He kicked and struggled as the spirits dragged him out of his cave. They walked toward a dark and creepy city. A sign on the entrance gate said, Land of Darkness. The Land of Darkness? cried Wukong. That's where people go when they die. I'm supposed to live forever. He yanked his arms free. Just grow, he cried. His iron bar quickly grew. He knocked out the first spirit. Crack! He knocked out the second spirit. Wukong stomped into the Land of Darkness. He headed toward the Palace of Darkness. As he went, he swung his iron bar back and forth. Demons and ghosts fled. A tall spirit stepped out of the palace. What's going on out here? the spirit asked. Who are you? asked Wukong. I am the Judge of the Dead, said the spirit. Why are you causing all this trouble? I want to know why I was brought here, said Wukong. Tell me now. The judge held up his hands. If you were brought here, it means your time on Earth is over. Nonsense! yelled Wukong. I'm going to live forever! The judge looked nervous. Let's check the directory, he said. The directory contains the name and age of every creature on Earth. It says when each creature will die. Inside the palace, the judge opened a large book. What is your name? he asked. Wukong told him. The judge flipped through the pages. Here it is, said the judge. It says, Son Wukong, born from a stone 300 years ago, died today. Wukong shook his head. No, I'm going to live forever. The directory isn't wrong, said the judge. You'll have to stay here now. Wukong raised his iron bar and glared at the judge. Give me that book. The judge hesitated. I can't give it to... Now, said Wukong. Shaking, the judge handed the book to Wukong. Wukong plucked two of his hairs and blew on them. They turned into a brush and a jar of ink. He drew a line through his name. You can't do that, said the judge. Yes, I can, said Wukong. Next, Wukong found the names of all the other monkeys and apes. He crossed out their names, too. Now I really will live forever, said Wukong. And so will all of my subjects. Journey to the West Chapter 8 A Job in Heaven The Jade Emperor was sitting on his throne in the Cloud Palace. A messenger ran into the court. Your Majesty, he said. The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea is here to see you. Let him in, said the Emperor. The Dragon King entered and bowed. Your Majesty, I want to make a complaint. Sun Wukong came to my palace and demanded I give him a weapon. He was very rude. Another messenger came in. The Judge of the Dead would like to speak with you, Your Majesty. The Judge came in and bowed. A monkey named Sun Wukong crossed out his name in the directory. I beg you to punish him. The Jade Emperor rubbed his chin. Who is this Sun Wukong, and how did he become so powerful? The Emperor's captain stepped forward. Sun Wukong is the monkey who was born from a rock 300 years ago. I don't know how he became so powerful. I remember him, said the Jade Emperor. I don't care how powerful he is. He is causing too much trouble on Earth. Gather some troops and go down to the Fruit and Flower Mountain. I want Sun Wukong arrested. The spirit of the planet Venus stepped forward. Your Majesty, said Venus. Perhaps we could give Wukong a job here in Heaven. The Jade Emperor raised his eyebrows. Why would we do that? If he's here, we can keep an eye on him, said Venus. It will be easy to keep him out of trouble. Very well, said the Emperor. Invite Wukong to come to live in Heaven. He will be in charge of the Royal Peach Garden. Wukong was telling his subjects about his adventure in the Land of Darkness. After I crossed out my name, he said, I crossed out all of your names too. We will all live forever. The monkeys and apes cheered. Wukong noticed a spirit standing nearby. He pulled out his iron bar. Who are you? I am Venus, said the spirit. I have an invitation from the Jade Emperor. He would like you to come to live in Heaven. Wukong smiled. At last, he has invited me. When Wukong entered the Royal Court in the Cloud Palace, he didn't bow. You're supposed to bow before the Emperor, whispered Venus. Wukong laughed. I'm just as powerful as he is. Maybe he should bow before me. Everyone but the Jade Emperor gasped. Wukong looked at the Emperor. I'm glad you invited me. I guess you finally realized I should be living up here with all of you. Show some respect, said Venus. The Jade Emperor looked at Venus and smiled. Wukong is new here. He can be excused for not acting the right way. He looked at Wukong. I'm putting you in charge of the Royal Peach Garden. You will have a home here in Heaven. I hope you won't cause any more trouble. That sounds perfect, said Wukong. The next morning, a gardener showed Wukong the peach garden. Bright, glowing peaches hung from every branch. The peaches in this garden are not like peaches on Earth, said the gardener. These peaches take thousands of years to become ripe. Anybody who takes a bite of one will live forever. Each morning, Wukong inspected the trees in the garden. He took his job very seriously. These peaches look delicious, Wukong thought one day. He looked around. None of the gardeners were in sight. Maybe I'll eat one. Journey to the West Chapter 9 The Peach Garden Wukong plucked a peach from a branch and bit into it. This peach tastes wonderful, he said. He ate another peach. And then he ate another one. Each morning after that, Wukong secretly ate more and more peaches. After eating, he climbed into a tree and took a nap. Time went by, and Wukong enjoyed his life in Heaven. Meanwhile, the Queen of Heaven was busy. It was almost time for the annual peach festival. She called for her maidens, Red Gown and Blue Gown. How may we help you? asked Red Gown. The peach festival is tomorrow, said the Queen. All the important gods and spirits in Heaven will be here. I also invited the Bodhisattva Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Go to the peach garden now and pick plenty of ripe peaches. Red Gown and Blue Gown went to the garden. As soon as they went through the gate, both maidens gasped. Where are all the peaches? cried Red Gown. They're gone, cried Blue Gown. This is terrible, said Red Gown. The Queen will be angry. Wukong had been sleeping up on a branch. When he heard the maidens, he woke up. Who's making all this noise? he asked, jumping down to the ground. I'm trying to sleep. The maidens were startled. We're sorry to wake you, sir, said Red Gown. We came to pick peaches for the peach festival. Do you know what happened to... The peach festival? said Wukong. His eyes lit up. I didn't hear about that. Oh, it's a wonderful festival, said Blue Gown. All the important gods and spirits will be there. That sounds like fun, said Wukong. I'm sure I'm invited, right? Red Gown bit her lip. Um, I don't think so. Wukong was furious. The Queen did not invite me. I'm just as important as any other spirit or god. The maidens looked nervous. Sir, said Blue Gown. Where are the peaches? I ate them, said Wukong. I ate every single one. And they were delicious. Oh, no, cried Red Gown. We must tell the Queen. No, you're not going to tell the Queen, said Wukong. He quickly set a spell. Instantly, Red Gown and Blue Gown fell asleep. Wukong looked at all the empty peach trees. He shook his head. I'm in big trouble. When Red Gown and Blue Gown woke up, they ran back to the Cloud Palace. Your Majesty, cried Red Gown. Something terrible has happened. Son Wukong ate all the peaches. He got very angry and cast a spell on us, added Blue Gown. When we woke up, he was gone. The Queen's eyes flashed with anger. She went to the royal court and told the Jade Emperor. That horrible monkey, cried the Emperor. He turned to his captain. Gather 100,000 soldiers. I want Wukong arrested. The captain nodded and then left the palace. Meanwhile, the Bodhisattva Guan Yin left her home on Mount Potawatka in the South Sea. She soon arrived at the Cloud Palace. I'm sorry to tell you this, said the Queen. But there won't be a peach festival. Why not? asked Guan Yin. A monkey named Son Wukong ate all the peaches, said the Emperor. I sent 100,000 soldiers to arrest him. They'll bring him back to heaven soon. Just then, a messenger ran into the court. We need more soldiers, Your Majesty. What? cried the Emperor. Wukong defeated the entire army. Said the messenger. The Jade Emperor put his head in his hands. We don't have any more soldiers.