The Monster's Friend

Journey to the West 21 The Monster’s Friend

Wukong stood before Guanyin. He was telling the bodhisattva everything that had happened at the monastery. “ Then a bear spirit called the Black Wind King stole the robe, ” the monkey went on. “ I demanded he give it back. We fought—until the bear spirit said it was lunchtime and hid in his cave. I kicked the door and yelled insults at him for more than an hour. But he wouldn’t come out. You must help me. ”

Guanyin sighed. “ The Tang Monk should not have shown that robe to the priest, ” she said. “ The robe is a Buddhist treasure. When other people see it, they will want it. And as that head priest tried to do, they might harm the Tang Monk. ” “ I agree, ” said Wukong. “ I’ve told the Tang Monk many times not to do dumb things. But still he—”

“ And you should have put out that fire, ” Guanyin said, interrupting Wukong. “ What you did was terrible! ” Wukong looked at the ground. He kicked a pebble. “ I know, ” he mumbled. “ I’ll help you get back the robe, ” said Guanyin. “ Let’s go. ” Wukong and Guanyin soared over the ocean. Soon they landed on the mountain.

“ Where is the Black Wind King’s cave?” asked Guanyin. “ It’s close, ” said Wukong. “ We should sneak up to it. ” They heard footsteps coming closer. Wukong and Guanyin hid as a Daoist priest walked along the path. The priest was holding a tray. A bright purple pill sat on the tray.

The priest was talking to himself. “ This is an exciting day, ” he said. “ The Black Wind King has a new robe that is a Buddhist treasure. And I hope he likes the pill I made for him. It will make him live forever. ” Wukong stared at the priest, using his magic sight.