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20 The River That Reaches Heaven

The Tang Monk and his disciples were journeying west to fetch the scriptures. They drank when thirsty and ate when hungry, traveling by day and lodging by night, and before they knew it spring had passed and summer ended, and autumn had come again. One day they traveled until evening, when they heard the sound of rushing water ahead, and a river blocked their way. The Tang Monk asked, "Disciples, how shall we cross the river?" Bajie said, "Let me try." He picked up a stone from the roadside and threw it into the water. There was a splash, and the stone sank to the bottom. Wukong said, "Let me see how wide the river is." He mounted his somersault cloud, leaped into the air, and looked carefully. The river was vast as the sea, stretching endlessly to the horizon. Wukong lowered his cloud, landed, and said, "Master, the opposite bank cannot be seen at night; the river must be several hundred li wide." The Tang Monk was greatly alarmed and said with a sob, "Disciples, what are we to do?"

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