Читать книгу The Magic Gem - Kim So-Un - Страница 6

Once upon a time there was an old fisherman who lived with his wife in a small hut on the bank of a large river. One day, as usual, he went to the river to fish as he was too old to work. All day long he cast his line, but he did not catch a single fish. He thought of returning home empty-handed, but he would not give up and threw his line into the water one last time.

This time there was a big tug and, when he pulled out his line, he found that he had caught a huge carp. The old man was overjoyed. But, as he put the carp into his basket, he noticed that the fish’s eyes were full of tears.

On top of that, the carp was opening and shutting its mouth, as if it were trying to say something. The fisherman was suddenly struck with pity for the poor fish.

“Oh, you’re trying to say ‘Let me go,’ aren’t you?” he said. “Yes, I understand. I’ll let you go.”

So, the gentle old man set the fish free in the river. He then slung his empty wicker basket on his shoulder and set off for home. He knew that he and his wife would have nothing to eat for supper, and would be hungry again, yet he felt at peace.

The next morning the old man returned to the river to fish. Suddenly a beautiful young girl stood before him and bowed politely. The old man was taken aback and asked: “Who are you?”

The young girl bowed again, and replied: “I am a messenger from the Palace of the Dragon King. The carp you saved yesterday is really the prince of the Dragon Palace. Thanks to your mercy, he returned home safely.

The King of the Dragon Palace was deeply moved when he heard how you spared his son’s life, and he wishes to repay you. He invites you to visit him and sent me to take you back to the palace. Please come with me.”

The lovely young girl mumbled some strange words as though chanting a magic spell. Suddenly the waters of the river parted in two, and before the fisherman’s eyes there appeared a bright yellow path leading down underneath the water, the likes of which he had never seen before.