“ How do you do ,” she said stiffly , then decided it was simpler to stick to thoughts . “ Are you heading for the dragon palace ? I am . It ’ s got many beautiful treasures .” the Monkey King said .
What ? This was not Heaven ? “ Ah . Heaven . I can bring you there , if you wish .”
And he plucked a small golden-brown ear hair and blew it gently . Puff ! Before her was another Monkey King , standing beside him , identical to the first .
“ Come with me ,” said the clone , and he transformed into a gigantic , magnificent crane , his head grazing the top of the sea .
The Monkey King laughed and threw her onto the crane ’ s back . Peony just had enough time to grasp the crane ’ s feathers , and then they took off immediately .
They broke the tip of the ocean immediately with a huge thrust , and the crane ’ s wings started flapping , one-two , one-two . It reminded her of the men tilling the earth , before she fell into the water and this began . The air was cool and fresh and Peony shouted jubilantly .
“ Save your breath ,” said the crane . “ We have a long way to go ,”
So Peony chose to admire the scene instead . The land had faded fast already and was misty white below her . There was a cloud above her and she stretched her hand out to touch it , crying out as it came away wet .
“ Don ’ t touch anything ,” the crane said again . “ You may fall .” As my father did . Where was her father ?
The sky turned black around her as she and the crane barrelled out of the atmosphere , and she could see a barrier of clouds . As they broke through this cloud , the crane using his beak to pierce it , she became wet yet again and giggled .
“ Shush ,” said the crane . “ We are at the gates of Eternity ,”
And Peony shut up . She could feel her father inside , missing her the way she was him . Sliding down the sleek white-and-black feathers , she finally landed on soft cloud . It felt like air , nothing at all . And yet it could support her weight .
Tiptoeing forward , past the gate , she let her eyes close and her heart lead her to where she knew her father would be . Eternity was a beautiful place , but she stopped to look at none of it . After many hours ( or maybe years - Eternity was infinitely large ) she could sense that she was very close to her father . Opening her eyes , she saw a halo of golden light , and her father ’ s small form , blinking , his glasses wonky on his nose .
“ Peony …?” her father whispered . “ It ’ s me , Pa .”
“ Peony !” She was swept into his arms and felt his firm embrace , his warm , soft hand behind her back and his face pressed against hers .
“ I ’ ve missed you , Peony !” “ Me too , Pa .”