How Yukong Moved the Mountains

Once upon a time, there was a large mountain called Tai-Ying which sat between Old Man Yu and the nearest village. Every day, Old Man Yu had to walk many extra miles in order to circle around Tai-Ying, and finally he decided to simply move the mountain out of his way.

Old Man Yu called together his children and grandchildren. "I am going to move Tai-Ying."

The family cheered.

The youngest stood and asked where the moutain could be moved.

Old Man Yu thought for a second. "I will dump it in the sea."

Again the family cheered, and promised to help make his dream a reality.

Now, as everyone knows, it is no small matter to move a mountain, and this mountain was no exception. After a year, only a tiny portion of Tai-Ying had been carted to the sea.

A shopkeeper in the village laughed at Old Man Yu. "Your dream is foolish. You are old, and Tai-Ying is monstrous."

Old Man Yu shook his head and smiled. "You are right, but your vision is short. I have children who have children who will bear more children. As time goes on, I get stronger and the mountain grows weaker. Tai-Ying will be moved."

And so it was.