Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/296

 284 CHINESE LITERATURE

where there were five red pillars, and there he decided to stop. Reflecting, however, that he had better leave some trace as a proof of his visit, he plucked out a hair, and changing it into a pencil, wrote with it on the middle pillar in large characters, The Great Holy One of All the Heavens reached this point. The next moment he was back again in Buddha's hand, describing his jump, and claiming his reward.

" ' Ah ! ' said Buddha, ' I knew you couldn't do it.'

" ' Why/ said the monkey, ' I have been to the very confines of the universe, and have left a mark there which I challenge you to inspect.'

'"There is no need to go so far/ replied Buddha. ' Just bend your head and look here.'

"The monkey bent down his head, and there, on Buddha's middle finger, he read the following inscrip- tion : The Great Holy One of All the Heavens reached this point"

Ultimately, the monkey is converted to the true faith, and undertakes to escort Hsiian Tsang on his journey to the West. In his turn he helps to convert a pig-bogey, whom he first vanquishes by changing himself into a pill, which the pig-bogey unwittingly swallows, thereby giving its adversary a chance of attacking it from inside. These two are joined by a colourless individual, said to represent the passive side of man's nature, as the monkey and pig represent the active and animal sides respec- tively. The three of them conduct Hsiian Tsang through manifold dangers and hairbreadth escapes safe, until at length they receive final directions from an Immortal as to the position of the palace of Buddha, from which they hope to obtain the coveted books. The scene which follows almost recalls The Pilgrims Progress :

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