The Tongtian River

The Turtle’s Revenge

An old turtle ferries the pilgrims twice, then flips them into the river for a forgotten promise.

The Tongtian River is eight hundred li wide, and the pilgrims cannot cross until Guanyin subdues the river demon and an old turtle offers his back. On the return journey the turtle asks Tripitaka to inquire in heaven how long his life will last — and the monk forgets. Enraged, the turtle dives, spilling the scriptures into the water, so the pilgrims must dry the precious books on the bank. Even the end of the journey keeps one last lesson: promises must be kept.