"Traveling, Friendship and Determination in "Monkey"
             "Monkey," by Wu Ch'eng-en, is a symbolic telling of the Monk Tripitaka's journey to India in search of the Chinese Buddhist scriptures. The novel is mingled with Chinese fables, fairy tales, legends, superstitions, popular beliefs, and monster stories. The Monkey becomes the disciple of the monk, "Tripitaka" and escorts him with Buddha's arrange to insure that he could make for the West to get the sutras, along with two other disciples they later came across. One is the humorous and not uncourageous pig, "Pigsy" and the other a used-to-be sea monster, "Sandy". All four face confrontations in the form of supernatural phenomena and monsters before reaching their goal and returning to China with the scriptures. They all learn to trust and depend on one another, while still incorporating humor along the way.
             Monkey was reincarnated from under a rock and was sent by the Jade Emperor to help Tripitaka on his journey. "I will protect you while you are going to get Scriptures and follow you as your disciple," said Monkey. Tripitaka was delighted but could not get monkey out of the casket. "On the top of the mountain is a seal stamped with golden letters by Buddha himself. Take it away, and I shall be out," said Monkey. Tripitaka knelt down and to the inscription, saying "If this monkey is indeed worthy to be a disciple, may this imprint be removed and may the monkey be released and accompany me to the seat of Buddha. But if he is not fit to be a disciple, but an unruly monster who would discredit my undertaking, may the imprint of this seal remain where it is." The wind came and carried away the six letters in the air. This was when Tripitaka first knew that Monkey would be his valuable companion on his journey (17). After staying the night at an old mans house, Tripitaka and Monkey are confron
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