Entry #2

Dear friends,

All has been well for hundreds of years now. Well, up until two nights ago, when I was having a feast with all of my monkey subjects. In the middle of the feast, I suddenly began thinking about something I haven’t given much thought to before, that being my mortality. I couldn’t help it, I just burst into tears right then and there. My subjects hurried over to my side and asked me what the matter was. I told them that as of now, I have no reason to be unhappy, but it is the future that is troubling me. At first, they didn’t quite understand what I was getting at, until I said to them, “The time will come when I shall grow old and weak. Yama, King of Death, is secretly waiting to destroy me.”

It immediately dawned on the rest of the monkeys, as each of my poor minions buried their heads in their hands and wept as they all contemplated  their own mortality. This went on until one of my loyal monkeys spoke up: “ There are indeed, among all creatures, three kinds that are not subject to Yama, King of Death.” When I asked for further explanation, the monkey informed us about these immortal creatures, and where they may be found.

I must say, I was very pleased to receive this information, and decided that I was going to embark on a long journey to seek immortality. Earlier this morning, I bade my subjects goodbye and set out on my expedition to the Southern World. As I record all of this, I am speeding away in the middle of the sea, on a raft crafted by my loyal subjects. I can hardly wait to arrive at my destination, and achieve immortality from the great Sages of the Southern World at last! Goodbye for now, friends, I will see you on the other side, if you want to know what happens next.