Missing from Heaven

Journey to the West 37 Missing from Heaven

Who are you?” the monster asked the monkey. “ What are you doing here?” “ I am Sun Wukong, king of the Fruit and Flower Mountain, ” said the monkey. “ I’m helping the Tang Monk reach the Western Paradise. Five hundred years ago, I caused a lot of trouble in Heaven. Now I’m here to cause a lot of trouble for you! ” “ I remember you, ” said the monster.

Wukong pulled out his iron bar and swung it. Poof! The monster vanished. Wukong leaped into the air. He looked in every direction but didn’t see the monster anywhere. “ That monster said he remembered me, ” thought Wukong. “ He must be from Heaven. I’ll go up there now to see if any spirits are missing. ”

Wukong soared higher and higher until he reached the southern gate of Heaven. “ Greetings, Wukong, ” said the guard. “ There’s a monster on Earth causing trouble for the Tang Monk, ” said Wukong. “ I think the monster is a spirit who escaped from Heaven. Is anyone missing?” The guard sent a messenger to check. A moment later the messenger returned. A god was with him.

" You found the Wood Wolf Star, " said the god. “ Who?” asked Wukong. “ The Wood Wolf Star is a wolf spirit who lives in Heaven, ” said the god. “ He escaped 13 days ago, and I’ve been looking all over for him. ”

Wukong rubbed his chin. “ That makes sense, ” he said. “ The monster kidnapped a princess 13 years ago on Earth. Thirteen years on Earth is equal to 13 days in Heaven. ” The god nodded. “ Yes. Let’s go. I’ll help you catch the Wood Wolf Star. ” Wukong returned to Earth with the god. From the sky the god called down, “ Wood Wolf Star! Come up here at once! ”