Monkey: A Folk Novel of China

Monkey: A Folk Novel of China Pun

Hsing

In Chapter 1, Monkey meets the Patriarch, who is the Immortal the woodsman spoke of. During their initial meeting, the Patriarch asks the Monkey what his surname, or 'hsing', is. Monkey, purposefully or by accident, interprets this to mean 'hsing' as in temper, and replies that he is equanimous and not quick to anger.