The stone monkey soon joined the other monkeys who lived on the mountain. Together they spent many joyful days frolicking among wild flowers and feasting on fruit. One hot day, the monkeys went to bathe in a cool, rushing stream. Restless and curious as ever, they all decided to find out where the stream began.

The monkeys swung from tree to tree, following the twists and turns of the stream. Finally, they discovered a giant waterfall hanging like a great white curtain from the sky. "The first one to jump through this waterfall and return safely," declared the monkeys, "will become our king." The stone monkey pushed his way through the crowd and shouted, "I will go!" He closed his eyes and leaped.