This story is part of the The Monkey King unit. Story source: "The Ape Sun Wu Kung" in The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921).
The humble Lord sat in his castle and had all of his servants at his beck and call. One of the saints came forward and cast a complaint from the Dragon-King of the Eastern Sea. Another came forward and presented the complaint of the Princes of the Dead. The Lord of Heavens looked down and saw the horrible conduct of Sun Wu Kung. He ordered one of his gods to go down to the earth and take Sun Wu Kung prisoner. What the Lord did not know was just how special and supernatural this ape was. The Evening Star came forward and told the Lord all about the ape. He told him how he had gained the purest powers of heaven and earth and sun and moon. He told the Lord about how the ape was immortal, and asked the Lord to love him as he loves others, and forgive his sin, instead of taking him prisoner.
The forgiving Lord listened to the Evening Star, but sent him down to the earth to tell Sun Wu Kung the good news. He told the ape that the Lord wanted to punish him, but the Evening Star stood up for him, and asked the Lord not to punish him for his actions. Sun Wu King was so excited to hear the good news! He went with the East Star, on a cloud, away from the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits. When 4 baboons came to him, he bragged about his trip to heaven, saying it was because they took such great care of the mountain below.
The two went on their clouds up to the heavens. But, Sun Wu Kung kept doing somersaults so he got to the gates of heaven much quicker than the Evening Star. But, the gatekeeper would not let him in. He got in a fight with the gatekeeper, and the Evening Star had to break up the fight and explain the situation. He did not bow in front of the lord, insultingly. He insulted the Lord, and the Lord wanted to punish him with a thousand deaths. But, the Lord continued to be forgiving and did not punish him.
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