Week 7 Story

The Close of an Age

As my life draws to a close and I look back at it now I think that I am thankful for all the things that have happened. I have learned about true friendship and what it means to have a home with a family. In my younger years I sought for the secrets of life and the answer to immortality. I found that and in so doing also obtained a stain on my character known as pride. I was so proud and arrogant in my younger years. I did whatever I saw fit for I was blessed with untold powers that I acquired through the teachings of my master. I know now if I only but put my talents to good use my life wouldn’t have taken the turn it did. I did many things I should say I regret now. All of those things lead me to be sealed in water, earth, metal, and fire. I was there for so long that I had to come to grips with what I had done and who I should become to be a better person. I was blessed and gifted so much to just squander it on my personal endeavors. When I was released I was able to put my talents and gifts to good use in helping the Monk of the Yangtze-kiang. I also had a circlet placed around my throat to control my behavior which in the past gave me so much trouble. It is never used however because I have reformed myself. I have decided however that my time should have an end just as it has a beginning. Though I once desired to live forever after many millennia I think it is time for me to pass on. To leave this world behind and move on to the next beginning. That is why I have decided to write this book, this being the last page, to tell of my life story and finally have an ending. Who would have thought I would walk with death to the gates of the next life as an old friend. I who had been so afraid to stare upon his face but a few centuries ago. To the apes living on our mountain I say goodbye and thank you for all you have done for me, welcoming me home every time I returned. This is my final goodbye for I shall not see you again in this life. Farewell.

Authors Notes: I decided that I wanted to have an ending to the life of Sun Wu Kung who was a stone ape that found immortality. I wanted him to feel after all the years he lived that he was finally done with this life. Sun Wu Kung was very mischievous in his life that lead him to many problems and many adversaries. He eventually was sealed up until being let out much, much later. I think he would reflect on his life and think about doing things differently. He would change the way he had been acting and become like his old master was, mild mannered and wise.

Bibliography: “The Ape Sun Wu Kung” in The Chinese FairyBook, ed. By R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens

A Modern Journey to the West by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Reading Notes: Asia Part B

Mighty Sun Wu Kung

Heaven eventually heard of Sun Wu Kung and the Lord of the Heavens sent of him so that he could charge him. The others in heaven wanted him to be punished for his previous actions but one The Evening Star stepped forward on his behalf. Sun Wu Kung when presented with command to come to heaven was overjoyed and wanted for a while to go to heaven. He agree and went with The Evening Star up to heaven where he was appointed with a job over the stables. He worked hard at his charge and the stables prospered. He asked his friends if his job had a title or if he was high ranking. They told him that he was not and that he was a subordinate. He was angered and ranted about his position there. He was so angered he returned to earth to his apes where he was told he had been gone for ten years. When the Lord of Heaven found out he sent people to capture him. Sun Wu Kung was to strong and defeated all of them. The Evening Star was sent to get him and succeeded by telling him that he was now to have the rank of Great Saint Who Is Heaven’s Equal. Sun Wu Kung was bestowed with a palace in which to live and was treated with respect. He was later charged with protecting the trees of the Queen-Mother of the West which gave many benefits when one eats of their fruit. Eventually he left when he heard of a banquet going on. On his way there he stopped by the God of Light’s abode, he ate and drank his food and he also ate his pills of life. He eventually decided to head back to the mountain where he was a king lest he be killed for his mischief. All of heaven came after him and he fought them all on for a whole day till sundown.

Bibliography: "The Ape Sun Wu Kung" in The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Fredrick H. Martens

Sun Wu Kung

Reading Notes: Asia Part A

The Monkey King

There once was an ape born of magic out of a rock. An egg fell from a rock and inside was a stone ape. This ape became known as Sun Wu Kung. Sun Wu Kung after many years came to live with the other apes. One day the apes declared whoever can walk through the waterfall unharmed shall be the king. Sun Wu Kung agreed and then jumped through the waterfall unharmed. When he jumped back through he told them of all the wonders on the other side of the waterfall. They begged him to take them with him through, so he did. Years of him being king drew on and he eventually wept realizing he would eventually die. One of the wiser apes told him that only a Buddha and a Saint transcends death. So Sun Wu Kung set out to find a saint to teach him how to escape death. He traveled for many years before finding a saint that was able to teach him. He sat down with the master and learned how to be a man with many other things. Then when he was ready the master asked him what he wanted to learn and proceeded to name off a list. At every thing on the list Sun Wu Kung said he did not want to learn until the master pretended to be angry and struck him 3 times. To this he realized it was code for see him later at night for the real truth. At night he went to the master and passed the test the master gave him and started learning about how to become immortal. He also learned about magic. One day the master’s pupils wanted him to transform into a tree so he did. His master was displeased and sent him back home telling him that he should never reveal who taught him these things to anyone or she shall lose his soul. He agree and went away sadly. He taught the apes how to fight when he got home and acquired many weapons for them as well as a weapon for himself.

Bibliography: "The Ape Sun Wu Kung" in The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921)

Monkey Chinese Zodiac by Thwangfsdesign