话表齐天大圣到底是个妖猴，更不知官衔品从，也不较俸禄高低，但只注名便了。
The story goes on to relate that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, a mere monkey devil after all, was quite satisfied that his name was on the register of office without caring about the grading of his job and his own rank, or the size of his salary.
那齐天府下二司仙吏，早晚扶侍，只知日食三餐，夜眠一榻，无事牵萦，自由自在。
The immortal clerks in the two offices in his residence were in constant attendance on him, he had three meals a day and a bed to sleep on at night, and he lived a free and easy life without worries.
闲时节会友游宫，交朋结义。
In his spare time he would visit the other palaces, get together with his old friends, and make new ones.
见三清，称个“老”字；逢四帝，道个“陛下”。
When he saw the Three Pure Ones, he would address them as “venerable,” and when he met the Four Emperors he called them “Your Majesty.”
与那九曜星、五方将、二十八宿、四大天王、十二元辰、五方五老、普天星相、河汉群神，俱只以弟兄相待，彼此称呼。
He was on fraternal terms with the Nine Bright Shiners, the Generals of the Five Regions, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, the Gods of the Twelve Branches, the Five Ancients of the Five Regions, the star ministers of the whole sky, and the countless gods of the Milky Way.
一日，玉帝早朝，班部中闪出许旌阳真人，頫囟启奏道：“今有齐天大圣，无事闲游，结交天上众星宿，不论高低，俱称朋友。
When the Jade Emperor was holding his morning court one day the Immortal Xu of Jingyang came forward from the body of officials, kowtowed, and suggested, “The Great Sage Equaling Heaven is spending his time in idle travel, and is making the acquaintance of all the stars in the sky, calling them all his friends irrespective of their rank.
玉帝闻言，即时宣招。
The Jade Emperor's response to this suggestion was to send for the Monkey King at once.
玉帝道：“朕见你身闲无事，与你件执事。
“Seeing that you are idle and have nothing to do,” replied the Jade Emperor, “we are giving you a job.
你且权管那蟠桃园，早晚好生在意。”
You are to administer the Peach Orchard, and you will give it your attention day and night.”
大圣欢喜谢恩，朝上唱喏而退。
The Great Sage was overjoyed, and after expressing his thanks and chanting “na-a-aw” he withdrew.
他等不得穷忙，即入蟠桃园内查勘。
In his eagerness to be at work he went straight to the Peach Orchard to have a look round.
本园中有个土地拦住，问道：“大圣何往？”
When he got there he was stopped by a local tutelary god who asked him, “Where are you going, Great Sage?”“
大圣道：“吾奉玉帝点差，代管蟠桃园，今来查勘也。”
“I've been put in charge of the Peach Orchard by the Jade Emperor, and I've come to inspect it.”
那土地连忙施礼，即呼那一班锄树力士、运水力士、修桃力士、打扫力士都来见大圣磕头，引他进去。
The local god hastened to greet him formally, and he called the men who weeded, brought water, looked after the trees, and swept the grounds to come and kowtow to the Great Sage.
When Sun Wukong was taken inside
夭夭灼灼花盈树，颗颗株株果压枝。
Charming and luxuriant the full blossom; Every tree weighed down with fruit.
果压枝头垂锦弹，花盈树上簇胭脂。
The fruit-laden branches bend like carding-bows; The blossoming trees are covered with powder and rouge.
时开时结千年熟，无夏无冬万载迟。
Always blossoming, always in fruit, they are ripe for a thousand years; They know no summer or winter, but linger for ever.
先熟的，酡颜醉脸；还生的，带蒂青皮。
The early ripeners Look red-faced and tipsy;The ones still growing Are green in stalk and skin.
凝烟肌带绿，映日显丹姿。
When the dew forms, their flesh has a touch of blue, While the sun picks out their vermilion beauty.
树下奇葩并异卉，四时不谢色齐齐。
Below the trees exotic flowers grow, Bright and unfading throughout the year.
左右楼台并馆舍，盈空常见罩云霓。
On either side stand towers and pavilions, And a rainbow always arches the sky.
不是玄都凡俗种，瑶池王母自栽培。
These are not the common breeds of the Dark Earth Capital, But are tended by the Queen Mother of the Jade Pool.
大圣看玩多时，问土地道：“此树有多少株数？”
After taking a good look at this the Great Sage asked the local god, “How many of these trees are there?”
土地道：“有三千六百株：前面一千二百株，花微果小，三千年一熟，人吃了成仙了道，体健身轻。
“Three thousand six hundred all together,” the local god replied. “The ones growing at the front have tiny blossoms and small fruits, and they ripen every three thousand years.
Anyone who eats them becomes an Immortal and understands the Way, and his body becomes both light and strong.