The Master Thief

Journey to the West 67 The Master Thief

What are we going to do now?” cried Wukong. “ One-Horned Buffalo stole all our weapons! ” The warrior rubbed his chin. He looked very serious. “ We can’t go back to the Jade Emperor. He’ll be angry if he finds out we couldn’t arrest the demon. ” “ You’re right, ” said the fire god. “ We need a different plan. It’s getting dark out, almost nighttime. Maybe one of us can sneak into the cave and steal that metal ring. ”

The thunder god smiled. “ I know who’s perfect for that job. ” The others all looked at the god. “ One of us is a master thief, ” the thunder god continued. “ He once stole all the peaches from the Royal Peach Garden. ” Now everyone looked at Wukong.

The monkey pretended to laugh. “ Ha-ha. Yes, it’s true. I used to steal things, but I know now that stealing is wrong. However, I will steal that metal ring because I need to save the Tang Monk. You all wait here. ” The monkey turned himself into a tiny bug and flew into the cave. He went down a long, dark tunnel followed by another tunnel. Then he heard One-Horned Buffalo.

Wukong flew toward the voice. The demon was sitting on the edge of a bed, talking to himself. The metal ring was still on his arm. “ It’s time for bed, ” said the demon with a yawn. “ I hope I can eat the Tang Monk tomorrow. I couldn’t eat him today because of that annoying monkey and his friends from Heaven. ” The demon lay down and was soon asleep.

Wukong flew over and landed on the demon’s arm. “ I’ll bite his arm, ” thought the monkey. “ He’ll get itchy and have to take off the metal ring. ” Wukong bit the demon’s arm again and again. The demon rolled over and mumbled in his sleep, “ Bugs . . . itchy . . . ” He scratched his arm.