Tales of the Monkey King

Book excerpt: Monkey King, China’s most popular hero in lore and legend, has entertained and delighted children for centuries. Born from a rock, Monkey proclaims himself king of all monkeys. But the impish, clever Monkey causes too much trouble for heavenly authorities. He is punished until he agrees to provide protection for a Buddhist monk on a difficult journey to India to fetch sacred writings and bring them back to China. Monkey needs all his magical tricks and secret weapons, as he and his companions, Pigsy, Sandy, and Horse, confront demons, monsters, and dangerous situations throughout their long trek.