The Man in the Canoe

Journey to the West 53 The Man in the Canoe

From behind Guanyin, Wukong peeked at Red Boy. The demon was trapped by the swords, all pointed at his face. “ Get these swords away from me! ” cried the demon. “ You must become a Buddhist, ” said Guanyin. “ Then I’ll release you. ” “ I promise! ” cried Red Boy. “ I’ll do whatever you say! ”

Guanyin recited a spell, and the swords vanished. Red Boy’s eyes flashed with anger. “ Bodhisattva, watch out! ” cried Wukong. Red Boy charged toward Guanyin. Wukong jumped in front of him. The monkey was about to strike the demon when Guanyin held up five metal bands. She threw them at Red Boy. Instantly they clamped around his head, wrists, and ankles.

“ Evil demon! ” said Guanyin. “ How dare you try to attack me! ” Unable to move, Red Boy glared at Guanyin. Wukong raised his iron bar to strike him. “ No, Wukong, ” said Guanyin. “ Don’t hurt the demon. I will take him back to Mount Potalaka to be my student. ” “ Yes, Bodhisattva, ” said the monkey.

Guanyin took the vase down to earth. She recited a spell, and all the water flowed back into the vase. She then led Red Boy toward the south. Wukong went into Red Boy’s cave and freed the Tang Monk. Then he found Bajie and freed him. The three of them went down the mountain and found Wujing.

The group continued west. They traveled for weeks and then months. One day they came to a wide river. “ I can’t believe we have to cross another river, ” muttered Bajie. “ There are many rivers between here and the west, ” said Wukong. “ We’ll have to cross them all. ” “ How will we cross this one?” asked the Tang Monk.