The Ginseng Fruit

Journey to the West 27 The Ginseng Fruit

The Tang Monk trembled with fear. The animals showed their fangs. “ Master! ” cried Wukong. The monkey was running fast. He swung his iron bar, and the animals ran back into the forest. Wukong smiled. “ Sorry for making the horse run, Master. I thought it would be funny. ”

The Tang Monk frowned. “ It wasn’t funny at all! Those beasts were going to attack me! ” “ Nonsense, ” said Wukong. “ You never have to fear any wild animals. You have three powerful companions. ” Bajie and Wujing soon caught up to them. They all continued along the road.

The Tang Monk pointed to a building up ahead. “ That looks like a Daoist abbey. ” “ I’m sure the abbey’s priests will let us rest for a while, ” said Wujing. When they reached the abbey, Bajie knocked on the door. Two priests opened it. “ I’m here with the Tang Monk, ” said the pig. “ May we come in?” The priests looked at the Tang Monk.

“ Our master told us about you, ” said one of them. “ He said you would travel past our abbey someday. Please, come in. ” “ Who is your master?” asked the Tang Monk. “ How did he know about me?” “ Our master is the Great Immortal, ” said the first priest. “ He is very wise and powerful. ” Wukong laughed. “ I’ve never heard of him. I doubt he’s very powerful. ”

The Tang Monk scowled. “ Show some respect, Wukong, ” he whispered. The priests looked annoyed. “ Our master is visiting friends in Heaven right now. If he wasn’t powerful, he wouldn’t be able to do that. ” Wukong shrugged. “ I used to live in Heaven. The place isn’t that great. ” “ Wukong, ” said the Tang Monk. “ Please go outside and tend the horse. ”