ANNALOG STORYTIME: The Rabbit's Judgment

The following is a translated excerpt from Once Upon a Time in Korea: An Elementary Reader by In Ku Kim-Marshall. If you're wondering about the choppy sentences and odd organization of paragraphs, it's because I've tried to translate the text as closely as possible. The story is followed by my own amateur analysis.

The Rabbit's Judgment
토끼의 재판
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Long ago there was a kind-hearted farmer walking along a mountain trail. On this mountain, there was a trap. In this, snare was a trapped tiger. The farmer saw this tiger. The crying tiger said to the farmer, “Farmer, please save me!”

The farmer was afraid of the tiger. But, the farmer felt sorry for the tiger. The farmer asked the tiger to make a promise. “Tiger, if I help you, do not harm me.”

The tiger answered, “Yes, of course. Please help me quickly.”

The farmer found a long tree branch. The farmer lowered the tree branch into the trap. The tiger grabbed hold of the branch, and came out of the trap. However, as soon as the tiger came out of the trap, he tried to devour the farmer. The farmer thought to himself, “Ah! I am an idiot!”

The farmer plotted a ruse.

“Tiger, in that case, let’s plan a trial.” The tiger agreed.

First, the farmer asked the pine tree to help him. The pine tree didn’t like people. The reason being, people chopped up trees for firewood. That’s why the pine tree spoke like this: “Tiger-ya, if you really want to save [the farmer], eat him. That’s why Tiger-ya, even if you caught and devoured the farmer, that would be good.

The farmer was greatly disappointed. That’s why the farmer next sought out a cow. The cow also made a similar verdict. “People make us work day and night. Additionally, they eat us later. Also, people use us for leather. Even with all that, people do not even think of thanking us.”

The tiger immediately tried to devour the farmer. But, lastly, the farmer when to see the rabbit. The rabbit listened to what the farmer had to said, then replied, “Mr. Tiger, I don’t really understand. How did you come out of the trap? Can you please show me once?”

The tiger became angry. That’s why the tiger jumped straight back into the trap. Also, he yelled loudly from the trap. “You idiot! I was like this!”

The rabbit said, “Ah ha, now I know. Then, Mr. Farmer, you should just go. This tiger doesn’t need saving. This tiger doesn’t know gratitude.”

The rabbit went hop, hop, hop, into the forest. Because of the rabbit’s wise judgment, the farmer was able to live. Inside the trap, the tiger cried and yelled, “Please save me!”

ANNALYSIS
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I'm not quite sure what to make of this story. On one hand, the message about gratitude is quite clear. I will help you out, but if you screw me over and are unappreciative of my help, then you can very well rot in the trap the next time you're in such a predicament. Okay, maybe that's not the moral, just a personal philosophy.

I'm not sure what to make of the fact that the farmer had to ask two other sources before he finally found a "verdict" that suited him. The first two potential arbiters of justice had basically called the farmer an ingrate who deserved to be eaten. Is that what the story advises us to do in life? If at first you don't find an answer that pleases you, try, try, again?

What's with the rabbit? He is indeed clever, but was he being helpful, or simply eliminating a great threat to his personal well-being.

I know that I shouldn't read much into the story, but it's set up in such a way, that you can't help but wonder about any allegorical meaning. I don't have an answer for you, but I do have a couple of take away points.

1. Never negotiate with tigers.
2. Don't forget to say, "Thank you," especially to the little people. You never know when some disgruntled pine tree will come after you with an axe.
3. Cows have feelings too. It is unfair to mark all of them as diseased or "mad."
4. Rabbits are indeed a thing to be feared. (Just as I've always thought).
   

ANNALOG STORYTIME: "Stupid Ondal and Princess Pyeong-Gang"

CAUTION: This post is longer than usual. Make sure you had a good night's rest before proceeding.


I'm currently on this knowledge binge where I'm trying to edify myself about the language and culture of the Motherland (more than just watching 미수다). I bought a couple of books at Kyobo last week, but I've been distracted by Hana Yori Dango, so I've only recently cracked open the books. As a supplement to my hagwon studies, I've decided to read Once Upon a Time in Korea: An Elementary Reader on my own. I chose the book for a couple of reasons. 1) The book is a good way to familiarize myself with Korean folk stories and fables. 2) The book is simple in grammar and sentence structure, but will help me to build up my sorely lacking vocabulary. Each story is well footnoted and includes a glossary as well as cultural notes.

For further exercise, I'm going to post my own translation of each story.

I had considered trying to jazz up each tale with my own storytelling, but I've decided to translate the stories as closely as possible, as it will allow me to compare and contrast the English and Korean way of writing.

I will follow each story with my own amateur analysis. Heng has warned me that most of the stories in the reader are simply stories without much of a moral, but I've decided to examine each story anyway and try to discover my own take-way-point or two.

Anyhoo, today's story is:

바보 온달과 평강공주*
Stupid Ondal and Princess Pyeon-Gang
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Long ago in the kingdom of Goguryeo, there was a young man who lived with his mother. His name was Ondal. His neighbors called him “Stupid On-Dal.” At that time, in the palace there lived a princess. This princess’ name was Pyeong-Gang. Ever since she was a young girl, Pyeong-Gang cried often. Thus, in order to get Pyeong-Gang to stop crying, the king would always say this: “If you cry like this, I will have to marry you off to Stupid Ondal.”

Pyeong-Gang grew up well. It was now the time for her to get married. The king introduced her to good men. But, this is what Princess Pyeong-Gang said: “I am going to marry Stupid Ondal.”

The king became infuriated.

“If you marry Stupid Ondal you must immediately leave the palace. I don’t want to see you!”

Princess Pyeong-Gang packed her bags. She then left to search for Stupid Ondal’s house. Princess Pyeong-Gang explained everything to Stupid Ondal. Princess Pyeong-Gang and Ondal got married. After that, Ondal learned many things from Princess Pyeong-Gang. He learned how to read and write as well as archery and horseback riding.

One day, enemies attacked the country. Everyone started to flee. That’s when Ondal said to people, “Please don’t run away. Let’s chase these enemies out together!”

Ondal received a sword and armor from Princess Pyeong-Gang. Ondal and his soldier fought [the enemy]. Ondal and his soliders and the enemy forces confronted each other on a battlefield. However, no one made the first move. That’s when Ondal stepped forward and started fighting with the enemy soldiers. Then, the general of the enemy army came out. Ondal killed the general with one stroke. The enemy soldiers were so afraid that all of them ran away.

Everyone praised Ondal. The king summoned Ondal to the palace. The king asked, “What is your name?”

“My name is Ondal.”
The king was very surprised.
“Are you really Ondal?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”

Ondal received a large reward from the king. Afterwards, Ondal became a general. Additionally, he did a lot of work (service) on behalf of the country. Unfortunately, Ondal died while fighting the Silla.

- The end -

ANNALYSIS
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* I was initially going to type out the entire story in Korean, but given how long it took me to type out the title, you'll just have to settle for my translation or go out and buy the book for yourself.

Firstly, this translation exercise has given me insight into the writing of my native Korean students. Many of my students were good at constructing sentences in English, but could not seem to grasp the idea of transitions or flow in writing essays and paragraphs. It often seemed like they were writing in stream of consciousness. I realize that as an elementary reader, this book may not be the best representative of Korean writing, however, I think from what I've managed to read in magazines or internet articles, Koreans are not as strict about transitions. Organization in writing is more about relevancy than segue ways. This may come as a surprise, but this notion is very freeing, yet hard for me to get used to.

As for the story of Ondal and Princess Pyeong-Gang, whether a specific moral was intended or not, the fact that the story has been passed on for generations suggest that the story reflects intrinsic Korean values. I will totally admit that I am unqualified in making any serious claims as to what we can learn about the Motherland through this story, but I will go ahead and offer my own cheeky thoughts anyway.

Let's start with the fact that Princess Pyeong-Gang took her father's threat literally and married Stupid Ondal. Was this just a tool of irony or is this a caution to parents everywhere? Lesson #1: Be careful of your threats, Moms & Pops. Reminds me of how my friend Isabel used to threaten to become a lesbian whenever her protective Mexican father wouldn't let her within three feet of the opposite sex. Or, maybe this story is suggesting that Korean women like their men dumb and pretty?

What are we to make of the fact that a man labeled "Stupid Ondal" was able to win the admiration of a king and country because of one highly visible act of courage? This story reminds me of a very well-known American folk hero named "W." Good ol' "W" was ridiculed throughout the land for his ignorance and bumbling ways, but through his strong stance against enemies on homeland turf, he was momentarily able to win the favor of the entire country.

I'm curious about how Ondal became known as "Stupid Ondal." Did he have a slow manner of speech? Did he once walk into a wall and was never able to live the incident down? Did one mean kid label him as stupid and the rest of the kingdom just follow suit? Also, does the fact that Pyeong-Chang taught Ondal everything he knew underline the idea that behind every man is an even cooler woman?

Unfortunately, these answers are not available through my Elementary Reader, so you'll just have to conjecture on your own.

I'll leave you one more question to ponder. How would you update this tale? If I were to update this story to reflect modern times, I'd probably change the main character to "Ugly Ondal" who eventually gets plastic surgery and becomes the most sought after actor in all the land.