STORY SO FAR: Monkey, has acquired a magical staff, from the undersea Dragon King. Now thinks he is ready for any kind of trouble.
The Dragon King bowed hurriedly, then burst out, «Your Majesty, I, your humble subject, beg you to bring the abominable monkey to justice. Otherwise peace is impossible.» Then he told Jade Emperor all about how Monkey had come to his palace and, though he had offered him gifts, had stolen the magic pillar.
«Now one of my islands is bobbing around the sea like a lost rowboat. It is a calamity! «This monkey is too much for me,» the Dragon King continued. «Our only hope is that you, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, will send soldiers to capture this pest and restore peace.»
«Outrageous!» exclaimed the Jade Emperor. «Who is this dreadful monkey?» he asked his ministers. Thousand-League-Eye stepped forward. «Your Majesty, do you remember that strange light you once saw? I told you then it was a monkey. Since then I’ve seen him do some amazing things. He is the one of whom the Dragon King speaks.»
«He didn’t have much power then,» said Thousand-League-Ear. «But over the years I have heard that he has learned many things.» «I see,» said the Jade Emperor, and he stroked his long white beard. «Dragon King, return to the bottom of the Eastern Sea. Be assured, I shall take care of this matter.»
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The Dragon King bowed and went back home.
«It would be easy enough to defeat this monkey,» Jade Emperor mused out loud. «But since he was born of Heaven and Earth, I will invite him to Heaven, and give him a job so we can keep an eye on him. If he behaves well, we can promote him. If he misbehaves, we can arrest him quickly.» Jade Emperor nodded at his own wisdom.
«Splendid idea.» «Brilliant strategy,» the Jade Emperor’s ministers exclaimed. «Go fetch him!» Jade Emperor said to Thousand-League-Eye. «But wait! Whatever you do, you must not tell him my plan. Just say I am inviting him to . . . visit Heaven.»
Thousand-League-Eye sped off and came before Monkey in his palace on the mountain. Thousand-League-Eye gave him the Jade Emperor’s message. Monkey was delighted by the invitation.
«A visit to Heaven!» he said, laughing with delight. «It’s about time someone realized how important I am.» With that, he somersaulted upon a cloud and soared off toward the North Star, with Thousand-League-Eye hurrying to keep up with him. But when they entered the Southern Gate of Heaven, even Monkey’s mouth opened with awe. Seventy-two magnificent temples and thirty-three glorious palaces stood before him. He saw dazzling bridges made of phoenix jade. He saw huge pillars carved with golden dragons. He saw flowers and animals he had never seen on Earth. Golden bells rang, and tower drums beat, while a troupe of magical spirits danced in their long sleeves.
Monkey clapped his hands in delight. «Heaven is indeed heaven!» he cried. Thousand-League-Eye gave Monkey suitable court clothing, and after Monkey got into them, he was introduced to the Emperor himself.
«So,» said Jade Emperor, «you are that Monkey I’ve heard so much about. How do you like Heaven so far?»
«It’s marvelous,» Monkey said sincerely. «Would you like to live here then?» «Live here?» said Monkey. «Me? For how long?» «As long as you work for me.»
«Work?» Monkey was surprised. «I was told this was just a visit. I am Magnificent Monkey King. Why should I work for you? I’m going home.» And Monkey turned about and began to scamper off.
«Wait!» shouted Jade Emperor. «What if I let you become supervisor of the Celestial Peach Garden?»
Monkey stopped. «Peach Garden?» How did Jade Emperor know that peaches were his favorite food? «Do you mean I’ll be head of the Celestial Peach Garden, with no one above me?»
«No one but me, of course.»
«I accept,» Monkey King exclaimed immediately. «I love peaches. Your peaches should be delicious.»
«No, no,» said the Jade Emperor. «Your job is to protect the celestial peaches, not eat them. Is that clearly understood?»
«Ah. Er, yes,» said Monkey.
«Then the job is yours,» said Jade Emperor. Thousand-League-Eye gave the Jade Emperor a puzzled look. But the Ruler of Heaven and Earth only smiled mysteriously.
(To be continued.)
| Text copyright © 2001 Ji-li Jiang Illustrations copyright © 2001 Hui Hui Su-Kennedy Reprinted by permission of Breakfast Serials, Inc www.breakfastserials.com . |
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