The Pool ' s Trial
Ying Wa Primary School , Song , Yiding - 12
We must be crazy , Monkey King thought . Trekking through the desert for eight days , depending their lives on a single flask . Crazy . Going to the west a second time , just because of Gautama Buddha ’ s unreasonable orders . Even crazier . Even worse , Tripitaka insisted on going there through the desert . That was ... dumb . Monkey King secretly wondered if Tripitaka had changed since their first journey to the west , nearly a century ago . Could they still trust each other ? “ Look !” Pigsy shouted on top of his lungs . “ A pool ! Finally , an oasis !” The group of four surged forward with burning excitement . They arrived at the pool within minutes . All around the pool , palm trees littered , casting ghostly shadows on the lonely sands . The four friends settled down near it .
“ You first , master !” Friar Sand pointed at the pool . Tripitaka thanked him and moved toward the source of water .
Meanwhile , Monkey King stared at the pool with a particular interest . Something was not right about it . He had a cold feeling running down his spine . The shadows on the sands , the ripples in the pool ... He stared at it again , this time using his fiery-piercingeyes . Sure , the water in the pool was acidic , and moreover , there was a snake-like monster looming below . He looked up , “ Master , stop !” Tripitaka stopped in his tracks , “ Yes ?” “ There ’ s a monster in the pool , and the water is acidic !” The expression on Tripitaka ’ s face turned from confusion to anger then to bitterness , “ Monkey King , how can there be a monster in the pool ? Are you so cruel as to not grant your master even a single drop of water ? Stop tricking me !” With that , he strode on , muttering a curse under his breath . The ring on Monkey ’ s head tightened , making him groan in agony . Monkey King stared at Tripitaka with disbelief . How can his master be so suspicious of him ? How can he not trust his loyal servant ? Tripitaka muttered faster , the pain Monkey King beheld made him roll around in the sand , screaming , but Tripitaka didn ’ t care .
Soon , Tripitaka arrived at the pool . He bent down , almost touching the water . As a last resort , Monkey King ignored his pain and sent his golden cudgel flying out like a boomerang . It sprang around in front of Tripitaka and knocked him off his feet . When he rose again , he was deadly calm . It was the calm before a storm .
“ Get away !” he roared . “ I don ’ t need your company to the west ! First , you tricked me ; now , you attack me . What you only know is to harm your only master ! I want a follower with a kind heart , not you ! Now get away , Monkey !” He stressed the last word heavily , like Monkey King was a merciless monster .
Monkey King didn ’ t seem to register what Tripitaka was saying , “ Please , master , I was just trying to save you , and I promise I won ’ t do what I ’ ve done again ! I promise ...” His voice faltered . Tripitaka was staring at him like a predator staring at a prey . No mercy , no forgiveness , no trust , no sympathy . It even made Monkey King ... afraid . Monkey King stood petrified for a moment , then vanished into the sky .
After making sure that Monkey King had truly left , Tripitaka sighed and bent down , taking a sip in the oasis . The water was sweet and refreshing , not acidic at all . “ Fill in the flasks !” Tripitaka announced .
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