Reading Notes: Wilhelm's Chinese Fairy Book B

Source: The Destiny of Sun Wu Kung from The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm, translated by Frederick H. Martens

"Said Sun Wu Kung: “I am the stone ape who has gained the hidden knowledge. I am master of seventy-two transformations, and will live as long as Heaven itself. What has the Lord of the Heavens accomplished that entitles him to remain eternally on his throne? Let him make way for me, and I will be satisfied!”" This line was SO GOOD?! He really said that to Buddha... His confidence is unparalleled. Truly an unbothered king. Buddha responds with a smile and poses Sun a question, or questions. He's just a monkey with powers, how can he expect to have the wisdom and grace to actually rule over the heavens? Can he do anything else besides be a trickster? Sun thinks that his ability to travel on clouds is enough. 

They make a bet. If Sun can leave Buddha's hand with one of his somersaults, he can become lord of the heavens. Sun didn't end up doing this, but totally thinks that he did the thing. He believes he has travelled to the edge of the world and writes his name down. When he gets back, he's pretty pleased with himself. Buddha tells him that he is foolish and has not left his hand and he has only written his name on his middle finger. Our hero doesn't outwardly admit it, but he's afraid. He has messed up pretty bad. He tries to escape, but can't and is shoved out of heaven and hidden in a mountain with a magic incantation. He stays there for many years. That is until Guan Yin releases him. He gives him a magic ring that tightens if he acts up, so he was never unruly again. We then are left with Journey to the West. 

I really enjoyed this ending for Sun Wu Kung. All of his stories were fun because he's mischievous, but his fight with god was just so much. I loved it. I think that there's a lot to say about his character in that he strikes me as good intentioned, kind of dumb. He's fun. This specific story was entertaining because it showcased his ego so well. I knew that he wasn't going to make it off of his hand. I already knew a bit about him prior to now, but still. I don't think that this surprised anyone. It would be fun to see him make it off of the hand and become God. I like to think that the God of the Heavens would have a sense of humor and would let that happen, at least in a rewrite, right? He needed to lose for growth and development, but it would be fun to see what he would have done with that power. 

Buddha by Richard Wilhelm (Wikimedia Commons)