The Monks and the Cart

Journey to the West 55 The Monks and the Cart

Everybody, wake up! ” called Wukong. The travelers had camped for a night in the woods. The Tang Monk woke up and stretched. Wujing opened his eyes and yawned. Bajie moaned, “ It’s too early. Let me sleep just a few more hours. ” “ Bajie, don’t be lazy, ” said the Tang Monk. “ It’s time to get up. Please start making breakfast. ”

The pig got to his feet. “ All we do is work, ” he said. “ Cook food . . . carry bags . . . walk, walk, walk! ” “ We’re on a noble mission, ” said Wujing. “ Because of our difficult journey, the Tang Empire will have the True Scriptures. You should be happy to do all this work. ”

After a quick breakfast, the group started walking. They went through a valley and over some hills. Later that afternoon they heard yelling. “ It sounds like some people are in trouble, ” said the Tang Monk. Wujing nodded. “ Yes. I wonder what’s going on. ” “ You all wait here, ” said Wukong. “ I’ll go and investigate. ”

The monkey leaped into the air and looked around. He saw a group of Buddhist monks pushing a cart up a steep hill. The cart was loaded with big stones. The monks looked miserable. Their robes were dirty and ripped. Two Daoist priests stood nearby. They were dressed in fine clothes. “ Work faster! ” yelled one of the priests.

The Buddhists looked frightened. They struggled to move the cart faster. “ Why are those monks pushing that cart?” thought Wukong. “ And why are they scared of the Daoists?” The monkey waited for the Daoists to leave. Then he made himself look like a Buddhist monk.