Reading Notes: The Monkey King Sun Wu Kung Part A
I like the way this story starts out. I am a bit confused as to how other apes came to be, but other than that, off to a good start. Eventaully the king figured out he would die, and this made him sad. Unlike most of us, though, he's part magical, so he may yet become immortal. He sets out to achieve that, doesn't succeed for a while, and decides the only option is to set out to sea on a raft. If I've learned anything from Sinbad it's that he will survive his voyage and become better for it. Logic. He of course meets a string of people who will lead him to untold riches, and then they get mad at him for acting how he's always acted without ever being told to do anything else. Logic strikes again. The king had made no secret that he wanted to become immortal, but this "all knowing" Discerner was surprised when he didn't want to learn something that wouldn't further this goal. Then some bull secret code messaging occurs and the story continues. Lots of magical incantation learning later and the king finally pisses of his master enough to be sent away.
Bibliography: Chinese Fairy Book by Wilhelm. Link
Sun Wu Kung fighting a demon. Link
Bibliography: Chinese Fairy Book by Wilhelm. Link
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