The Stone Monkey's Fear

The stone monkey looked at the dense mass of monkeys bowing and kowtowing before him, listening to their wave-like cries of reverence.

The faint loneliness and confusion that had existed within him since his birth were, at that moment, completely filled and dispelled by something burning and substantial.

He felt a weighty responsibility, but even more than that, he felt a sense of belonging and strength bound to his bloodline.

He did not refuse, nor did he need words.

He took a deep breath and straightened his still-young yet already imposing frame, his golden eyes sweeping across every one of his subjects.

Wherever his gaze fell, the monkeys bowed even lower, their whimpers becoming ever more devout.

Then, amid an expectation so still it seemed as if all sounds had vanished, he slowly and solemnly nodded.

That simple motion spoke louder than a thousand words.

Boom—!

The monkey troop erupted at once!

Their suppressed excitement burst forth like a mountain flood. Every monkey leaped into the air, letting out deafening cheers as they wildly jumped, shrieked, and turned somersaults around their newly crowned king.

The old monkey wept with joy, while several of the strongest monkeys excitedly lifted the stone monkey high and paraded him through the cave dwelling.

Golden light shone upon the jubilant troop, and in an instant, clamor filled the entire Water Curtain Cave.

In the days that followed, the stone monkey faithfully carried out his duties as king.

He was not merely a symbol of strength, but a guide as well.

Watching the monkeys still rely solely on instinct to climb trees for fruit, play and frolic, and muddle through their days, he always felt it was not enough.

As king of the monkeys, he had an obligation to give his subjects better lives—not merely enough