Classic Starts®: Monkey King

By Wu Cheng'en and Karl James Mountford

An illustrated chapter-book retelling of the Monkey King's adventures from Journey to the West—part of the Classic Starts series, which has cumulatively sold more than 8 million copies!  

Sun Wukong is the “Monkey King”—and he has all the power and magic to prove it! But when his mischief lands him out of favor with the heavens, he must embark on a dangerous quest to deliver Buddhist scriptures. Will Monkey be able to control his impulsive behavior and complete his journey to the West? 
This retelling is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the famous and cherished Chinese story. The book also includes discussion questions.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Release date: Feb 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9781454950974

Book preview

PART I: THE ORIGIN

CHAPTER 1

The Birth of the Monkey King

In the beginning, many, many years ago, Heaven and Earth were tangled together in a great chaos. When the ancient being Pan Gu split them apart with his giant ax, the universe was created.

In the eastern continent of the universe, there was a land called Aolai, which sat by the sea. Not far from its shores was the majestic Flower-Fruit Mountain, where fantastical beasts like phoenixes and dragons lived.

At the very top of this mountain, there was a divine stone, as tall as six or seven men and with the spirit of Heaven and Earth within it. One day, it split open, revealing a large stone egg. Over time, the wind and other earthly elements wore away at the egg—shaping and sculpting and carving into the rocky surface, until the form that remained was a stone monkey.

With a twinkle in his eye, the stone monkey began to explore Flower-Fruit Mountain. Some days, he picked flowers and gathered fruits. His favorite treats were the marvelously sweet, ever-ripe peaches. Other days, he climbed the mountain’s towering peaks, grand rocks, and steep cliffs. Perfectly content and carefree, the stone monkey befriended the other creatures who called the mountain home.

One particularly hot day, a group of monkeys, including our stone monkey, bathed in a cool mountain stream. As they splashed around in the water, the monkeys grew curious—where did the water come from anyway? One monkey suggested, Let’s follow the stream and find out!

The whole group started up the mountain. Before long, they found a splendid waterfall, rushing down with such force and speed that it looked like a curtain of dancing rain. The monkeys decided, Whoever is brave and strong enough to pass through the waterfall and return to tell the tale will become our king.

They all nodded their heads. The call for a volunteer came not once, not twice, but three times—and still no monkey stepped up.

Until suddenly, the impulsive stone monkey declared, Alright then, I’ll do it! I’m not scared.

In one big jump, he burst through the waterfall to the other side. After making a perfect landing, the monkey looked around and saw a shining bridge leading into a cave.

The cave was filled with a soft mist, blooming gardens, and many rooms, stocked full with stone beds and kitchen goods, like pots, pans, and dishes. It was as if some divine force had put all of this together just for the monkeys to find.

In one big jump, the stone monkey burst back out of the waterfall.

You won’t believe it! The stone monkey described all that he had seen, eyes sparkling and arms waving with excitement.

So, crowning this brave stone monkey as their new Monkey King, all the mountain monkeys moved in and named their new home the Water-Curtain Cave. They lived there together in harmony and happiness for many years.

One day, centuries later, the Monkey King began to cry, seemingly out of nowhere. The other monkeys asked him, What’s wrong? Why are you sad, magnificent Monkey King?

I know we are happy now, but one day, we will grow old, and Yanwang, the King of the Underworld, will take us.

Growing fearful as well, the other monkeys tried to come up with a solution. One offered, You can escape Yanwang if you unlock the secret of immortality and gain eternal life!

Seeing no other way, the Monkey King decided that his next quest would be to master immortality. Once I’ve figured it out, I’ll come back and teach the rest of you, so we can all live together forever! he said.

The monkeys clapped and prepared a goodbye feast of soft peaches, along with other fruits and blossoms, to send their mighty king off on his new mission. They built him a wooden raft, and soon, the Monkey King was off.

CHAPTER 2

Monkey’s Quest for Immortality

Almost ten years passed, as Monkey traveled through the land and learned to blend in among the humans. He searched for clues that would bring him closer to immortality, but with little luck.

Unfazed, Monkey continued on. The wind and water carried him to the western continent, where he found a lofty mountain filled with thick forests. He climbed to the mountain’s peak and heard a man singing a song about immortals.

Finally! Monkey thought. Scurrying closer, he greeted the man, who was chopping wood. Hello there, immortal!

Startled, the woodcutter dropped his ax. What’s that? I’m no immortal! he protested. But an immortal taught that song to me. He lives not far from here.

I see, Monkey said. Could you point me in the direction of this immortal?

Master Puti lives in the Cave of the Leaning Moon and Three Stars, about eight miles south of here. I think he’s training some disciples.

Monkey followed the woodcutter’s directions carefully and, sure enough—he found Puti’s cave, in a lush, bright woodland.

As Monkey looked about, the large stone door to the cave opened. An elegant young man dressed in disciple’s robes stepped out, with an air of enlightenment about him. Monkey knew he must be a student of immortality.

I’m the Monkey King! said Monkey. I’m looking for this Puti fellow so I can learn the ways of immortality.

Ah, you’re here to learn the Way, the disciple said. Of course. Master Puti just instructed me to come out here to greet our new student.

Monkey beamed. That’s me!

The disciple welcomed Monkey into the cave, which was much bigger on the inside than it had looked from the outside. Monkey was stunned by the splendid buildings and arches they walked past. Finally, they reached a great platform,