The Monkey King - Chapter 9

Adopted From the Classic Chinese Tale by Ji-li Jiang - Illustrated by Hui Hui Su-Kennedy

STORY SO FAR: Monkey, having saved his clan from the Demon of Havoc, brings the monkeys home but promises he will now do something very important.

Chapter 9 of 17

🌐 Language: Español | English

Upon arriving home, the Monkey King called a meeting of all the monkeys. 

	“Dear friends,” he said, “As your king, my most important duty is to protect you.  In my fight with the demon, all I had were my fists and my brain.  I was lucky to win.  I need a real weapon. Not just any weapon, however. Since I’m special, it must be special too.”

	Old Grandmother monkey stood up. “Your Majesty, my grandfather told me that he learned from his grandfather, who learned from his grandfather, that at the bottom of the Eastern Sea there lives a Dragon King who has many special weapons.  But as you see, the trouble is, he lives underwater.”

	“Underwater!” cried Monkey. “A small matter. Of course I can visit this Dragon King.  That’s the kind of king you have.”

	So saying, he ran to the iron bridge, recited a spell, and jumped into the churning stream.  At once, a whirlpool caught him up and carried him right to the bottom of the Eastern Sea in front of the Dragon Palace.

	How beautiful it was! The palace was made entirely of white coral and was studded with thousands of gleaming pearls. Millions of crabs mounted on the backs of sea horses stood guard, commanded by bright red lobster generals. But the Dragon King himself was the most magnificent sight. Majestic and dignified, he surveyed his kingdom from his throne, which was the back of a gigantic sea turtle.  

	The Dragon King looked surprised to see Monkey, and felt a little nervous too.  Only a greatly powerful being could appear at the bottom of the sea. “Welcome, sir,” he said politely.  “What can I do for you?”

	“It’s embarrassing to ask you a favor on my first visit,” Monkey said, grinning. “But I am the Magnificent Monkey King.  I need a suitable weapon for myself, the better to defend my clan. I was told you had many magical weapons to spare.” 

	What a rude request! Dragon King did not like Monkey, but dared not refuse.  “I don’t have so many weapons to spare,” he said. “But for you . . . let the Hammer Head Shark come forth!”

	The Hammer Head Shark swam forward and offered his hammer.

	Monkey King shrugged. “A hammer is too ordinary a weapon for me,” he said. “Surely you can do better.”

	Twin spirals of smoke bubbled out of the Dragon King’s nose.  But he only said, “Let the Sword Fish enter!” 

	The Sword Fish swam into view and offered his sword.

	“No, no.  That’s much too ugly,” said Monkey King. “It’s not even worth touching.”

	Dragon King turned blue with anger.  But he said, “Let the Nar-Whale enter.”

	A Nar-Whale arrived, and offered his pointy head spike.

	Monkey King looked it over, only to wave it away. “I’m afraid not,” he said.
 
	Dragon King was nearly spitting fire.  He glowered at Monkey.  “I have nothing else to show you.”

	“I know you can do better,” soothed Monkey. He had noticed a golden light coming from a room behind the Dragon King’s throne. “What’s that?”