Week 7 Story: The Panda King
The Panda King
Long ago, a very average panda lived on an island among others like him. One day, many pandas were unable to get beyond a wall of bamboo. The very average panda approached them, and jumped through the bamboo finding a hidden passage to an uninhabited iron city. The other pandas were amazed, and inhabited this city crowning the average panda their king. The Panda King ruled for years, living in harmony with the citizens and nature. However, one day he broke down into tears thinking about death, and how he could not save those around him from death. One of those close to him, heard of a master who knew about eternal life, and the Panda King was so intrigued that he left the island in search of this master.
The Panda King found himself in The Valley of Peace, where he searched many years for answers. He found that the inhabitance only cared about worldly things, and not of the eternal. The Panda King left The Valley of Peace and ran across a path leading up to a mountain. He found a monastery, and hid outside trying to peek inside. Soon after, the doors open and a crane approached him, telling the Panda King his master had sensed his presence and wanted him to come inside.
The Panda King approached the Master, a smaller red panda who introduced himself as Master Shifu. Master Shifu asked for the name of the Panda King, but he realized he did not have one. Master Shifu gave the Panda King the name of Po, and Po lived with him for years learning mediation and spiritual control under him. After many years had passed, Master Shifu realized Po was ready to learn more about eternal life, as Po had persisted on the subject for years. The Master whispered in the ears of Po, enlightening him and giving him gifts. Po mastered what he had learned and the student was becoming the teacher. However, the crane wanted to see what Po had learned for game and show, and Po proceeded to show off his new abilities. When Master Shifu learned of his, he realized the immaturity Po still possessed, and cast him away back to his island. Po gave back to his people, but remembered the lesson from Master Shifu, that the spiritual is not a game, but a sacred practice.
Hi Clay!
ReplyDeleteNot going to lie, it took me a minute to figure out you had taken characters from Kung Fu Panda! I suspected when you introduced the crane and knew it for sure when you introduced Shifu! Did you not mention the other characters—Monkey, Viper, Tigress, and Mantis—because they did not fit into the story? Great story overall!
Hey Clay!
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, I read the monkey king for one of my readings last week too! When you introduced the red panda I thought, "this is sounding familiar!" When you confirmed the red panda's name was Master Shifu I was surprised that I was right! I loved those movies as a kid so it was to read this story.
Hi Clay!
ReplyDeleteI am unfamiliar with the story that you are basing your story off of. I loved the use of characters from the movie! I like that you finished the story with a life lesson. I think this makes a story so much more impactful. My one suggestion would be to include an author's note so that the reader is able to get some background on where you are coming from when writing the story. To someone who has not read The Monkey King, like myself, it might be helpful. Overall great job, I think it is really smart to include Kung Fu Panda as it is a reference that most readers get and appreciate! I look forward to reading more of your stories throughout the rest of the semester!
Brooklin