Monkey (eBook)

David Kherdian (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2005 | 1. Auflage
224 Seiten
Shambhala (Verlag)
978-0-8348-2490-4 (ISBN)

Infos

Part spiritual pilgrimage, part historical epic, the folk novel Journey to the West , which came to be known as Monkey, is the most popular classic of Asian literature. Originally written in the sixteenth century, it is the story of the adventures of the rogue-trickster Monkey and his encounters with a bizarre cast of characters as he travels to India with the Buddhist pilgrim Tripitaka in search of sacred scriptures. Much more than a picaresque adventure novel, Monkey is a profound allegory of the struggle that must occur before spiritual transformation is possible. David Kherdian's masterful telling brings this classic of Chinese literature to life in a way that is true to the scope and depth of the original.

Textauszug

FromChapter 6: In the Cloud Palace of the Jade Emperor

Inthe following day Monkey issued an official proclamation that henceforth hewould be referred to as 'Great Sage, Equal of Heaven.' He ordered hisgenerals to set up a banner to herald his new title.

Atthe same moment that Monkey was being trumpeted on his mountain, the JadeEmperor was holding his morning court. During the session the superintendent ofthe Heavenly Stables intervened to announce that Monkey had left in a huff onthe previous day upon learning the true meaning and value of his title, pi-ma-wen.The Jade Emperor dismissed the superintendent, saying, 'I shall send mycelestial soldiers to capture that monster.' Devaraja Li, thePagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, and his son, Natha, stepped forward at once andvolunteered their services. They were immediately placed in charge of thecampaign, and after reviewing the troops they appointed the god Mighty-Mightyto lead the vanguard and the Fish-Belly General to bring up the rear, while theGeneral of the Yakshas was to lead the troops on.

Theyleft by the Southern Gate and were soon in sight of the Mountain of Flowers andFruit. After finding level ground for their encampment General Mighty-Mightywas elected to issue the challenge of battle. He quickly buckled up his armorand, clutching his great battle ax, sallied forth in the direction of the WaterCurtain Cave.

Atthe cave entrance he was confronted by a band of monsters—,wolves, tigers,leopards, and the like—,prancing and jumping, growling and brandishing spearsand swords, and brawling with one another in mock combat. 'You troublesomebeasts,' cried Mighty-Mighty, 'go forward at once and tell thathorse-grooming king of yours that a Heavenly general has come to subdue him onorders from the Jade Emperor. If he doesn't surrender at once you will all beannihilated!'

Themonsters rushed into the cave and prostrated themselves before Monkey.'Disaster! Disaster!' they shouted.

'Steady,steady,' Monkey roared back. 'What sort of disaster?'

'There'sa heavenly general outside who has come on orders from the Jade Emperor. If youdon't surrender at once we will all be destroyed.'

'Whatrot!' Monkey said. 'Bring me my battle dress at once!' Monkeyslipped into his cloud-stepping shoes, his bronze helmet, and his goldencorselet, and with his magic cudgel in hand he held his troops outside andarranged them in battle formation.

Mighty-Mightyshouted, 'You lawless ape, don't look aside as if you don't see me anddon't know who I am.'

'Whichlittle deity are you?'Monkey asked. 'You'd best tell me your name if you want to berecognized.'

'Youinsolent ape, I am the vanguard commander, the Celestial GeneralMighty-Mighty.'

'What'sall that title-slinging to me?' Monkey said. 'I am the Great Sage,Equal of Heaven.'

'Don'tmake me laugh! If you and your pygmy monsters want to live, you had bettersurrender at once and throw yourselves at the mercy of the Heavenly Court. Ifyou so much as breathe half a 'no,' I will cut you to ribbons and trample yourbones to dust.'

'Youcan't threaten me, you puny little deity. I would kill you at once if I didn'tneed you to carry a message to the Jade Emperor. Go tell him that he doesn'trespect real talent. Doesn't he understand that I am in possession of realmagic? How could he ask me to be a mere groomer of horses? See what is writtenon this banner! If he will accede to this title and make it official, I willleave him in peace, but if not I will return to the Treasure Hall of...

Produkt-Details

• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Historische Romane
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• Themenwelt: Kinder- / Jugendbuch ► Bilderbücher
• ISBN-10: 0-8348-2490-6 / 0834824906
• ISBN-13: 978-0-8348-2490-4 / 9780834824904