Journey to the West 1-3 | Classics | Little Fox | Bedtime Stories

Summary

The story follows a magical monkey who emerges from a rock on Fruit and Flower Mountain. He embarks on a journey to find immortality, overcoming obstacles and gaining followers. After finding a hidden cave, he becomes the king of the monkeys, but yearns for eternal life. Seeking out a sage, he travels for years until he meets the wise Sabod, who agrees to teach him. Despite challenges, the monkey learns that immortality isn't easily attained, and the quest for wisdom continues. The story blends adventure, self-discovery, and the pursuit of eternal knowledge.

Takeaways

• 😀 A rock on a mountain splits open to reveal a monkey, which catches the attention of the Jade Emperor in Heaven.
• 😀 The Jade Emperor learns from a captain that the monkey on Earth has caused a powerful light, and the emperor is intrigued by this miraculous event.
• 😀 As the monkey grows, he learns to walk, climb, and live in harmony with nature, befriending other monkeys and apes.
• 😀 The monkeys discover a stream and decide to follow it to its source, ultimately finding a large waterfall.
• 😀 The monkey bravely jumps through the waterfall and discovers a beautiful cave behind it, which he claims as a new home for all the monkeys.
• 😀 The monkeys and apes fight over the cave's resources, but the monkey claims kingship over them and demands their respect.
• 😀 The monkey, feeling the desire for immortality, seeks out a sage to learn how to live forever, motivated by the belief that their perfect life won't last.
• 😀 After a long journey, the monkey finds a sage named Sabod, who agrees to teach him but questions his true origins.
• 😀 Sabod gives the monkey the name 'Sun Wukong' and begins teaching him, though the monkey struggles with patience and a desire for more immediate power.
• 😀 The monkey learns from Sabod for seven years but becomes frustrated when the teachings don't offer him immortality. He eventually dismisses some lessons, seeking only those that align with his desire for eternal life.

Q & A

What is the significance of the rock from which the monkey emerged?

The rock symbolizes the union of Heaven and Earth, which together brought the monkey to life, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

Why did the Jade Emperor show little concern about the monkey's powerful light?

The Jade Emperor, accustomed to the wonders of Heaven and Earth, was not surprised by the powerful light, as he believed that amazing things occur when these two forces work together.

What was the monkey's initial life like after emerging from the rock?

The monkey learned to walk, run, climb, and explore nature. He became friends with other monkeys and apes, and lived a free life, enjoying the beauty of the environment.

What idea did the monkeys have regarding the stream, and what did they decide to do?

The monkeys wondered where the stream that they enjoyed flowing through originated from. They decided to follow the stream to its source to discover its beginnings.

What was the purpose behind the monkey jumping through the waterfall?

The monkey was determined to prove his bravery and, in doing so, sought to become the leader of the monkeys by discovering what lay behind the waterfall.

What did the monkey discover behind the waterfall, and how did it change the lives of the monkeys?

The monkey discovered a beautiful, magical cave behind the waterfall, which he claimed as a new home for the monkeys. This action established him as their king, as they all followed him into the cave.

Why did the monkeys start fighting over the resources in the cave?

Upon entering the cave, the monkeys began fighting over beds and plates, showing their greed and lack of unity despite having found a new home.

What does the monkey's wish to live forever reveal about his character?

The monkey’s desire to live forever stems from his fear of the impermanence of life, as he wishes for his perfect existence to never end.

How did the Gibbon advise the monkey to achieve immortality?

The Gibbon advised the monkey to study with a sage, as sages are known for their wisdom and ability to achieve extraordinary powers, including immortality.

What challenges did the monkey face in finding a sage, and how did he eventually find one?

The monkey faced many years of searching and visiting towns without success, but eventually, he encountered a woodcutter who pointed him to a sage named Sabod, living in a mountain temple.

What was Sabod's initial reaction to the monkey wanting to be his student, and what name did he give the monkey?

Sabod was initially skeptical about the monkey's request to become his student due to the monkey's animal nature. However, he eventually accepted the monkey, naming him Sun Wukong, meaning 'Monkey King'.

What lessons did Sun Wukong learn during his time at Sabod's temple?

Sun Wukong spent seven years learning various lessons at Sabod’s temple, including meditation and chores, but he grew frustrated with the teachings that did not align with his desire for immortality.

How did Sun Wukong's impatience affect his relationship with Sabod and his fellow students?

Sun Wukong’s impatience led to disrespecting Sabod’s teachings, as he was more interested in learning how to live forever. This behavior caused tension, as he often disregarded Sabod’s lessons, which upset both the sage and the other students.