It was Jane’s birthday, but SHE gave ME a present. That’s just the kind of hairpin she is.
She knows, as do all my regular readers (hi, Mom!), that I am all about The Stone Monkey, Sun Wu-kung, The Handsome Monkey King, The Great Sage Equal To Heaven. Click that link to read up on him at Godchecker.com. So, when she saw this stone, she bought it for me. I’ve messed with the contrast/brightness to try to make the image clear in the photo; it’s quite clear in Real Life.
It’s a depiction of The Great Sage on the job in Heaven. He was given the job of guarding the Peaches of Immortality so, being Monkey, he ate them.
Oh, Monkey! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?
No. No, he isn’t. And that’s why we love him.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character is given the job of guarding something valuable.
MA
Liz K
December 26, 2012 at 5:42pmHi, Marian. Yes, I’ve read Journey To The West! 🙂 First when I was 17 in fact, many a moon ago!
But I’ve only read an abridged version: the one first translated in 1913 by Arthur Waley – so the famous one! It is that, I believe, that introduced the English versions of the names Sandy and Pigsy: which I believe are perfect! 🙂 (Better than Sand Friar, etc.)
I didn’t see it on Youtube! 🙁 I have seen there are several Chinese and Japanese animated versions though!
Didn’t know YT was so touchy on copyright! I’m sure you can buy the series as a boxed set though!
Happy Monkey Magic! (Oh – I’m a Heathen myself – so you can guess who my patron Trickster is! 😀 )
Which is the naughtier out of the pair of them, I wonder?! Still: I’m glad Sun Wukong got a “second chance” under Buddhism (hate to say it but it’s more than I suspect Christianity would have given him!) And I’m glad his new discipline made him take a chill pill: for he might have turned out a bully else! 🙂
Marian Allen
December 26, 2012 at 7:27pmLoki’s “mischief” was pretty malevolent, as I recall. Monkey was just self-important. And Monkey always had his monkey-people in mind, too. Tell me why you’re one of Loki’s — I’m interested. I always kind of liked him. 🙂
Liz K
December 26, 2012 at 2:31pmYay MONKEY! I love him too! (Ever seen the Japanese live-action series with the British voiceover?!! You don’t know what you’re missing! 🙂 )
Trickster makes this world!
Marian Allen
December 26, 2012 at 4:05pmYes, Liz, I’ve seen several episodes, and I LOVE IT! I used to be able to watch on YouTube, but all the Monkey Magic stuff has been taken down. 🙁 Have you read Journey To The West, the inspiration for Monkey? I’ve read the first 3 volumes. The first is the best IMO, because that’s when Monkey does his naughtiest stuff! lol
Jane
May 10, 2012 at 10:51amYay, for the Fabulous Monkey King!