Two Tang Monks

Journey to the West 47 Two Tang Monks

The Daoist had vanished! Wukong ran outside and shot into the air. He looked in every direction. “ Where did the Daoist go?” asked the monkey. Then he heard a shout from inside the palace. “ There are two Tang Monks! ” cried Bajie. Wukong flew back inside. Two Tang Monks stood side by side.

“ We can’t tell them apart, ” said Wujing. “ They look exactly alike. ” “ Which one of you is the real Tang Monk?” asked Wukong. “ I am! ” said one. The other monk glared at the first one. “ No, I am! ” The first monk looked at Wukong. “ Don’t believe him, Wukong. I am the real Tang Monk. ”

“ Don’t believe him! ” said the other monk. “ I am the real Tang Monk. ” Angry, Wukong pulled out his iron bar. “ Which one of you is the real Tang Monk?” Both Tang Monks fell to their knees, shaking with fear. “ Don’t hit me! ” they both cried. The monkey sighed. He turned to Bajie and Wujing. “ What can we do?”

“ I have an idea, ” said Bajie, smiling. “ But you won’t like it. ” “ What is it?” asked Wukong. “ The two Tang Monks should recite the Tight Headband spell, ” said the pig. “ Only the Tang Monk, Guanyin, and Buddha know the spell. We’ll know right away which Tang Monk is fake. ”

“ You just want to see me in pain! ” said Wukong. Then he sighed. “ But it is a good idea. ” Bajie and Wujing stood near the monks. “ Master, recite the Tight Headband spell, ” said Wukong. Both monks began speaking, and Wukong fell to the floor. “ It hurts! ” he cried. Bajie watched the Tang Monks carefully. One of them was reciting the spell. But the other one wasn’t.