The Monkey King Borrows the Sea

Long ago, on a mountain full of peach trees and soft clouds, there lived a little monkey named Sun Wukong. His fur was golden as autumn light, and his eyes were as curious as two small lanterns. While the other monkeys napped at midday, Sun Wukong sat and looked up at the sky. There floated a cloud, high and white and round, and he longed so much to reach it. But the cloud was far away, and his legs were short. 'I need something to lean upon,' he whispered to himself.

An old turtle sunning herself by a pond heard the monkey. 'If you seek something fine and strong,' she said slowly, 'such a thing lives in the Eastern Sea. There the Dragon King dwells in a palace of pearl. He is old and wise and kind, and he keeps many strange treasures.' Sun Wukong sat up straight. The Eastern Sea! He had never seen the sea. He had only heard the wind whisper of it when it came from the east, smelling of salt and seaweed.

Sun Wukong thanked the turtle and set off toward the east. He hopped over streams, climbed over hills, and followed the wind until the ground sloped downward and the air tasted of salt. Then he saw it: a great, blue, breathing sea. The waves rolled in toward the shore like soft white sheep. Sun Wukong sat down in the sand and stared. The sea was larger than any mountain he had ever known.

'How does one come down to the Dragon King's palace?' Sun Wukong wondered aloud. Then a silver-green fish rose from a wave. Its eyes were like small moons. 'The Dragon King waits only for polite guests,' said the fish. 'Tell the sea your name and bow, and it will open the way.' Sun Wukong stood up, bowed deeply to the waves, and said: 'My name is Sun Wukong, and I come in peace.' Then the water grew calm, and a long staircase of blue stone appeared beneath the surface.

He walked carefully down the staircase. The strange thing was that he did not get wet. A soft warm bubble of air came with him, like an invisible cloak. All around him swam fish in every color of the rainbow. There was a turtle who carried a pearl lantern on her back, and a seahorse that followed with small, polite nods. 'Welcome, little guest,' said the seahorse gently.