Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 12, 2025
With a great flourish he drew a paper from his girdle, unrolled it with many snappings and cracklings, and thrust it before the face of Pak Chung Chang. Upon the paper was the picture of the nose. Pak Chung Chang stared upon it with bulging eyes. "Never have I beheld such a nose," he began. "There is a wart upon it," said Yi Chin Ho. "Never have I beheld " Pak Chung Chang began again.
Like many who live in retirement and dwell in a world apart from their fellows, this monk thought the people of former times were superior to the men of his own day. Especially did he praise the kings of years long gone by. "Do you think," said Yung Pak, "that the old kings were any better than our own gracious ruler?" Yung Pak was very jealous of the honour of his king.
It is the chief cereal, and the inhabitants say it originated in Ha-ram, China, nearly five thousand years ago. Yung Pak called it Syang-nong-si, which means Marvellous Agriculture. He had learned from Wang Ken that it was first brought to Korea in 1122 B.C. To the monk the warm food was very refreshing, and after he had eaten a generous amount he entered into conversation with his hosts.
From the head, which resembled that of an alligator, hung various cords, to which were attached small brass bells and a wooden fish. Wang Ken told Yung Pak that this was a monument to some famous Korean "doctor of literature." On the first day's journey toward Chang-an-sa the party made good progress. The plan was to get to Yong-pyöng, about twenty miles from Seoul, before nightfall.
When a lad has a good lesson, the teacher makes a big red mark on his paper, and he carries it home with the greatest pride, just as you do when you take home a school paper marked "100." But Yung Pak was not allowed to share the pleasures and the trials of the boys in the public school.
On state occasions Ki Pak could look as sedate and dignified as the most serious official in all Korea; and that is saying a good deal, for in no country do the officials appear more solemn than in this "Land of the Morning Radiance."
Wang Ken was able to tell Yung Pak much about country life, for, like most of the school-masters of Korea, he was himself a farmer's son. He told how the Korean farmer lived a simple, patient life, while at the same time he was ignorant and superstitious. He believed in demons, spirits, and dragons, and in nearly every house were idols in honour of the imaginary deities.
But the most wonderful thing of all was that he did not think he was a bit queer, and if he should see one of you in your home, or at school, or at play, he would open wide his slant eyes with wonder at your peculiar ways and dress. The name of the country in which this little boy lived is Korea. One thing about Yung Pak, though, was just like little boys everywhere.
"My heart softens strangely at your tears," said Yi Chin Ho. "I, too, know filial piety and regard. But " He hesitated, then added, as though thinking aloud, "It is as much as my head is worth." "How much is your head worth?" asked Pak Chung Chang in a thin, small voice. "A not remarkable head," said Yi Chin Ho.
But it is Yung Pak we want to tell you about. As his father was a wealthy man, all the comforts and luxuries which could be given to a Korean baby were showered on this tiny boy. One of the queer things, though, was that he had no little cradle in which he might be rocked to sleep. And you know that all babies, especially little babies, sleep a great deal.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking