Long, long ago there lived a boy who was an only son. His ancestors for nine generations had likewise been only sons. They were cursed with the doom of hosig, which meant that they were fated to be eaten by tigers. His father, grandfather and all their predecessors going back to the ninth generation had all been seized by tigers. This doom had befallen them all at the same hour of the same day of the same month when they were 12 years of age.

The boy could not bear to stay idly at home waiting for his fate to come upon him. So, being now 12 years of age, he left his home and his weeping mother, and set out to travel about the country. He wandered aimlessly from one place to another, and at last he came to Seoul. Here he found a famous fortuneteller. The fortuneteller was astounded to find how evil a fate was in store for the boy. He considered deeply for a few minutes, and then said, ‘There is but one way for you to avoid your destiny. There is in Seoul a Minister called Gim. If on the day appointed for your death you can take refuge in his daughter’s room, then you will escape. Only thus can you be saved.’

So the boy went to the Minister’s residence, and lingered in front of it, but he was at a loss to find a way of entering. By good fortune he found a small house nearby, where an old woman lived. He offered her some money, and she agreed to let him lodge in her house. He told her the secret of his evil destiny, and how each of his ancestors for nine generations had suffered the same fate. The old woman was greatly touched by his unhappy story, and promised to do all she could to help him. As it happened, the Minister’s daughter was her niece.

In the evening of the appointed day the old woman prepared delicious food and drink, and entertained the guards on the 12 gates of the Minister’s residence. Then, when they were drowsy from the effects of the wine, she took the boy into the house and led him to the inner room where the Minister’s daughter lived. She was not there at the time, for she was at supper, and the old woman hid the boy behind the screen.

 

To be continued …

 

Told by Zong Bog-Sui; Onyang (1915). Taken from Folk Tales From Korea. Pg. 51-54 (Published by Hollym International – www.hollym.com)