The Robe

Journey to the West 18 The Robe

Wukong and Guanyin flew over the ocean and back to the wide river. From the sky Guanyin called, “ Dragon! Come out of the river at once. The Tang Monk is here! ” The dragon rose from the river and bowed. “ Bodhisattva, ” he said, “ I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the monk had arrived. I was trying to rest. A nasty monkey was . . . ” The dragon stopped talking when he saw Wukong next to Guanyin. “ That’s him! ”

“ This is Sun Wukong, ” said Guanyin. “ He is traveling with the Tang Monk. ” “ The monkey didn’t tell me that, ” said the dragon. “ I even asked him who he was, and he didn’t answer. ” “ I know, ” said Guanyin. She shot Wukong a look. “ From now on, you must tell people who you are. There are others waiting for you too. ”

“ Okay, ” said Wukong. Guanyin looked back at the dragon. “ You will carry the Tang Monk to the Western Paradise. ” Sparkling light surrounded the dragon. When the light faded, a horse stood where the dragon had been. It looked exactly like the Tang Monk’s horse.

After Guanyin left, Wukong led the horse to the Tang Monk. “ You got the horse back! ” said the monk. “ No, ” said Wukong. “ Guanyin was here. She turned the dragon into a horse. He’s supposed to come with us. ” The Tang Monk fell to his knees and bowed.

Wukong laughed. “ Stand up, Master. The bodhisattva is back on Mount Potalaka by now. ” “ Do you need a ride?” called a voice. Wukong spun around. A boat had arrived next to the shore. “ I will take you across the river, ” said the boatman.