The Monkey King Causes Havoc in Heaven

This intermediate retelling follows Sun Wukong from his birth as a stone monkey to his rebellion against the Heavenly Court and his punishment under Five Elements Mountain. It shows how great ability must be guided by self-control and responsibility.

HSK 4–5

Illustration inspired by The Monkey King Causes Havoc in Heaven.

Story preview

  1. 很久很久以前，在东海边上，有一座花果山。

    hen3 jiu3 hen3 jiu3 yi3 qian2 zai4 dong1 hai3 bian1 shang4 you3 yi1 zuo4 hua1 guo3 shan1

    Long, long ago, by the shore of the Eastern Sea, there was a Flower-Fruit Mountain.

  2. 山上树木茂盛，泉水清清，四季都有花果。

    shan1 shang4 shu4 mu4 mao4 sheng4 quan2 shui3 qing1 qing1 si4 ji4 dou1 you3 hua1 guo3

    Trees grew thick on the mountain, the spring water was clear, and flowers and fruit could be found in every season.

  3. 山中住着很多猴子，它们每天在树林里跳来跳去，摘果子，喝泉水，生活得自由自在。

    shan1 zhong1 zhu4 zhe5 hen3 duo1 hou2 zi5 ta1 men5 mei3 tian1 zai4 shu4 lin2 li3 tiao4 lai2 tiao4 qu4 zhai1 guo3 zi5 he1 quan2 shui3 sheng1 huo2 de2 zi4 you2 zi4 zai4

    Many monkeys lived in the mountain. Every day they jumped back and forth through the woods, picked fruit, drank from the springs, and lived free and carefree lives.