One Thousand Pills

Journey to the West 46 One Thousand Pills

The Tang Monk glared at Wukong. “ Bajie says you can bring the king back to life, ” said the monk. “ Please do so now. ” Wukong shot a look at Bajie, who was trying not to laugh. “ Master, use the Tight Headband spell! ” said the pig. “ Don’t! ” cried Wukong. “ I’ll ask Laozi for help. He makes pills that can make people live forever. Maybe he makes pills that can bring people back to life. ”

Laozi was busy working on a potion. Steam rose from the bubbling cauldron. Suddenly Wukong burst into the room. “ Hello, Laozi! ” Laozi groaned. “ What are you doing here, Wukong? You’re supposed to be helping the Tang Monk reach the Western Paradise. ”

Wukong walked around the room, looking at all the bottles and equipment. “ I’m still helping the Tang Monk, ” he said. “ We’re helping a king right now though. ” He poked a blue bottle filled with liquid. Laozi looked up from his potion. “ Don’t touch anything. Just tell me why you’re here. ”

“ I need pills that will bring someone back to life, ” said Wukong. “ Give me one thousand of them. ” Laozi stopped what he was doing and walked over to Wukong. “ How dare you tell me to give you one thousand pills! ” he said. “ Get out of here right now! ” The monkey laughed. “ I’m kidding. I don’t really need one thousand pills. Just give me one hundred, and then I’ll leave. ”

Laozi squeezed his hands into fists. “ I’m not giving you any pills. Now get out of here! ” Wukong scratched his head, pretending to think. “ Now that I think about it, I don’t need one hundred pills. Just give me ten. ” “ You are rude and disrespectful! ” yelled Laozi. “ Get out! ”