In a letter I received from Isabel, she talked about a story
that is common in China, called, ”The eight immortal cross the sea.” This story
is about eight immortals that found themselves by the Eastern Sea. Lu
Dongbi, one of the immortals, suggested to the others that they all travel
across it. Rather than using the traditional way to travel on a cloud, he asked
that they each use their magical powers to cross the sea.
So, Lu Dongbin tossed his sword into the seaand it became a boat. Tieguai
Li used his crutch to use as a board to stand on. Han Xiangzi had a basket whichgrew bigger to
become a boat and He Xiangu did the same with her lotus. Lan Caihe turned his
jade board into a canoe and Cao Guojiu turned his “imperial tablets,” into a
raft. Zhongli Quanj used his banana leaf and Zhang Guolao used his magical
donkey.
The eight immortals
set off to sea creating a blinding light that attracted the Dragon prince, who
was beneath the water. He abducted an immortal to steal his magical power. The
other immortals set off after him creating a war beneath the sea. The immortals
declaired a victory after throwing a mountain into the middle of the sea, which
is now called Penglai fairy land. This is now a beautiful city in China!
Primary Source: Isabel
Secondary Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Immortals
