Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 460

New Journeys to the West
Singapore International School (Hong Kong), Tang, Caitlyn Sze Ching - 10
T
he faint trickle of crystal clear water coming down from the waterfall pierced the air as the weary,
wet monkeys surveyed their new surroundings. They studied the long-forgotten branches and
spider webs criss-crossed this way and that, beaded with jewels of morning dew. The monkeys
looked at Monkey King, unsure of what to do. Monkey King gestured towards the caves and boomed “This
is your new home, the Water-curtain Cave!”
For many years, the courageous king ruled over the monkeys and did his best to solve their
problems. However, there was one problem he could not solve - his own. He always wondered “What is it
really about my immortality? How can I use it to achieve my next heights of greatness?” After thinking for a
long time, Monkey King decided to leave his very own home.
Monkey King clomped up hills and valleys and suddenly heard a strange, whooshing noise. He
looked down and found himself hovering above the ground, standing on white clouds. He tried to move
the clouds with his fingers, but they didn’t budge. Monkey King focused on the clouds and tried to move
them again. This time, it worked! He could see a big cave on the top of a cliff. Curious, he flew towards the
cave, unsure of what he would find. His heart hammering wildly against his ribcage, he tip-toed towards
the entrance. Monkey King’s heart was almost in his mouth as he took the slightest peek through the
entrance.
The cave felt cool and damp on Monkey King’s face. He gasped. In the middle of the cave sat a
man in a brown tunic. In a flash, the surprised monkey recognised him as Xuanzang, a famous monk. He
walked over to Xuanzang and tapped him on the shoulder sharply, just as he did with the other monkeys.
“I am Monkey King. Take me to Heaven to meet the sorcerer of the Seventy-two
Transformations!” Monkey King declared rudely, practically breathing down his neck. Xuanzang’s skin
crawled and he moved away from Monkey King.
Xuanzang replied solemnly “I’ll accompany you on this journey only if you promise to be polite to
me.”
They met a pig named Piggy and a farmer named Sandy. They agreed to accompany Xuanzang and
Monkey King with their horse.
Xuanzang seemed unfazed and didn’t seem to be tired at all. He allowed the horse to canter on,
leaving the exhausted trio staring after him wearily. Soon, they arrived in Heaven.
Heaven wasn’t what Monkey King had expected. Everything was silent, dead silent. A river
flowed from the heart of Heaven. The streets were pure gold, glinting like myriads of stars at night, the walls
adorned with sapphires, rubies and emeralds.
They were welcomed warmly by a man, Jade Emperor. He beamed from ear to ear, tickled pink
cheeks lighting up. Jade Emperor showed the foursome around. He caught Monkey King staring in awe at
the Peach Garden and said in a warm, honeyed voice “You can help watch over this garden!” Monkey King
was elated!
Monkey King stood guard, pacing around the garden.
“Psst!” a sound came from behind Money King.
Shocked, Monkey King nearly tripped over. Before him stood a pair of feet. Monkey King looked
up and saw the most terrifying being he had ever seen. It was hefty and huge, humongous and enormous,
colossal and gigantic, immeasurably tall - a giant. The giant knelt downwards, as if to swoop down to grab
him. Monkey King prepared to be plunged into darkness.
He heard a thundering noise that would wake the dead.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. If you help me pick those fleshy and juicy peaches, I will take you
on as my apprentice to teach you about your immortality,” the giant roared.
“How impolite of me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the Sorcerer of The Seventy-Two
Transformations,” he added. In a flash, he was gone as fast as he’d arrived.
Monkey King scampered up a tree, his monkey instincts surging back to him. Without thinking,
he grabbed the ripest peach and bit into it. A delighted, giddy smile spread across his face as the sweet taste
filled his mouth. He stuffed peaches down his throat until there were none left. Monkey King tried to
ignore the searing pain in his stomach. At first, it was only a slight twinge, a pinch that didn’t bother him.
The twinge grew into a punch and grew until it was a strong wave of pain, flowing up and down until it
seemed like a tsunami. Bolts of pain erupted and rained down on him. He felt as if his stomach was being
ripped open.