The Frying Pan

Journey to the West 30 The Frying Pan

Wukong and his companions were tied up in a room in the abbey. “ I will deal with you all in the morning, ” said the Great Immortal. He turned around and left the room. The Tang Monk began to cry. “ It’s bad enough that there are dangers along the journey, ” he said. “ But my own companions are causing trouble for me! ”

“ Calm down, Master, ” said Wukong. “ We’ll get out of this. ” “ Master, this is all Wukong’s fault, ” said Bajie. “ He stole the ginseng fruit, and he knocked down the tree. ” “ Stealing the fruit was your idea! ” shouted the monkey. “ I can’t help it if I was hungry, ” said Bajie. “ You should have refused to steal it. ”

“ Let’s stop arguing and figure out how to escape, ” said Wujing. “ I have a plan, ” said Wukong. “ But we must wait until the Great Immortal is asleep. ” Late that night Wukong recited a spell. He shrank to the size of a pea and then slipped out from his ropes. He quickly untied his friends.

“ Let’s go, ” he whispered. The group tiptoed through the dark and silent abbey. When they got outside, the sun was beginning to rise. “ That was easy, ” said Bajie as they walked down the road. “ I hope you all learned a lesson from this, ” said the Tang Monk.

Suddenly a voice boomed. “ You can’t escape from me! ” The Great Immortal flew toward them. Wukong pulled out his iron bar and swung. The Great Immortal moved out of the way. Bajie struck with his rake, and Wujing stabbed with his spear. But the Great Immortal was fast. He waved his arm, and his sleeve shot toward the group.