Sample Translations
Myung Hoon BAE Bonjour adieu, existence artificielle F renc h
Book Information
Bonjour adieu, existence artificielle (안녕,인공존재) Bookhouse Publishing corp. / 2010 / 28 p. / ISBN 9788956054605 For further information, please visit: http://library.klti.or.kr/node/772
This sample translation was produced with support from LTI Korea. Please contact the LTI Korea Library for further information. library@klti.or.kr
Bonjour adieu, existence artificielle Written by BAE Myung Hoon
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Wisdom from Old Times
The history of Korea spans a period of over five thousand years – a time so long it is difficult to fathom. No wonder Korea has such a rich reserve of interesting folk stories. The folk stories were handed down, generation to generation, from father to son, mother to daughter, grandparents to their grandchildren. Over the years, the stories were whittled away to the bare essentials, making sure that only the most intriguing tales survive to our day. Imagine all the great information and wisdom we can gather from these folk tales. Old stories that are passed down by word of mouth are called oral literature, or simply folk tales. They can be funny, thrilling, and most of all, have great educational value for children. First, such stories open a window into the past, showing us what life was like in oldtime Korea. What was their worldview? How did they overcome hardships? The answers are all embedded in these old tales. They are a great way to introduce history and to instill an interest in culture for aspiring young readers. Second, important phrases are repeated throughout a folk tale with subtle variations. This hones proper grammar skills and comprehension for young children. Third, folk tales embrace good traditional values such as virtue, wisdom, bravery, and hard work. Their message conveys a message to children – how to live to the fullest and to be kind to the people around you.
We put together eight folk tales based on the messages and wisdom portrayed by the characters in them. Get to know how Koreans overcame their hardships and what they found to be important in their lives. Their ability to stand firm
during difficult times, have
generous hearts that forgive, and use wisdom to solve conflicts will all be useful lessons for young readers. Now let us embark on a journey to see what is in store.
Author Kim Won Seok This forward was first published on Purunnamu(Blue Tree) in July 2000 and revised in October 2009.
p. 6 Table of Content Forward 1. Winter Raspberries 2. How to Get Free Soy Noodles 3. How to Become Rich 4. Don’t Forget Your A-frame 5. The Daughter in Law Test 6. The Gold Nugget 7. Who is the Horse Thief? 8. A Tiger’s Promise
p. 8 Winter Raspberries
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p. 9 A long time ago there was a small village where the people were naïve and good. They were friendly and helpful to one another, sharing whatever they harvested throughout the seasons. Thanks to the mild weather, there was plenty to eat all year long. When the magistrate’s term was over, a mean and relentless man took his place. On his first day on the job, the first thing the new magistrate did was to collect taxes from the villagers. The taxes went through the roof. Anyone who refused to pay or who could not afford such taxes was put in jail. The cruel magistrate ruled the village as he pleased. There was no justice or peace in the village and the people suffered greatly.
p.10 One cold winter day the greedy magistrate had an idea. ‘If I could get my hands on some raspberries in the middle of winter the people will know how much power I have.’ Come to think of it, he really did want to taste some sweet and tangy raspberries. In the 21st century, we can get all the fruit we want all year round but back then fresh berries in winter was unimaginable. But the cruel magistrate was convinced he could do anything he wanted and this time he had a craving for raspberries. He called in one of his officials and said, “I want some raspberries today. Go get me some fresh raspberries right away.” “Right away, your magistrate?” the official asked, hoping it was a bad joke. “Yes, raspberries. Don’t you know what raspberries are?” “Yes, yes I do.”
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He had no choice but to accept his orders. Besides, it was the official’s job to see to it that the magistrate got whatever he wanted. Would l he have to wander the snow-covered mountains looking for raspberries? He was dying to ask, ‘Where does one find raspberries in winter?’ but who knows what would happen then. At the very least, the magistrate could have him thrown in jail! ‘Thick snow covers the mountains. Where will I find raspberries?’ The magistrate glared at the official. “Answer me!” The official scrambled for an answer. “Yes, of course. Your wish is my command, your Honor.” The official went home and threw himself on his bed. What was he going to do? If he did not get his hands on some raspberries soon, the magistrate would punish him for disobeying his orders. No matter how he played it out in his head, there was no way he could avoid not getting in trouble. All that he could think of was the magistrate’s grimacing face. “Son, tell your father to come to dinner. He’s been in his room ever since he came back from the office,” the officer’s wife asked her ten-year-old son to fetch his father when he did not show up for supper. The officer’s son was a very clever boy. He had already noticed something was bothering his father. “Father, what’s wrong?” he asked his father cautiously. “It’s nothing you should worry about.” “You have been cooped up in your room all afternoon. I can hear your sighs all the way from my room. Please tell me what’s wrong.” “Nothing’s wrong, my son. Everything’s fine.”
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p.14 The official let out another long sigh. “Please tell me, father. Maybe I can help you?” “Thank you, son, but there is really nothing you can do.” The official turned over on his bed so that his back faced his young son. “Anything that happens to you will affect all of us. Whenever I am in trouble, you help me. Maybe there will be something I could do for you.” Thinking he had nothing to lose, the official told his son everything that happened at the magistrate’s office. When he was done, his son smiled. “Are you smiling, son?” “Yes, I am.” The young boy had a grin on his face. “Are you not worried what might become of us?” “I think you are worried over nothing, father.” “The magistrate wants me to bring him raspberries in the middle of winter. How is that nothing?” The official jumped out of bed. “Don’t worry about a thing, father. I will visit the magistrate myself. I promise you nothing will happen even if I go empty handed. The boy was beaming with confidence. “No, I won’t allow it. How will your visit solve anything?” “You stay in bed, father. I have a plan that will take care of everything.” The young boy went to the magistrate’s office first thing the next morning. When he
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came before the magistrate, he got down on his knees and bowed. “Who are you? What do you want?” The magistrate found it peculiar that a young boy would visit him so early in the morning. “Your Honor, I am the son of one of your officials. I came here because of the raspberries,” the boy said without a flinch. . “You are stupidly brave to come here on your own. What happened to the raspberries? What is your business here?” The boy was eagerly waiting for the magistrate to ask that. He quickly gave the magistrate the answer he had prepared. “My father has the raspberries ready. How dare anyone go against your orders, your Honor?” “Ah, he’s got them. Why have you not brought it with you this morning?” The magistrate’s mouth watered. “My lord, my father would not have sent me if all was well.” The magistrate was losing his patience. “Where are the raspberries?” He was eager to eat fresh ripe raspberries when no one else could. “My father went up into the mountains to pick raspberries but he was bitten by a poisonous snake. We were not worried yesterday because only his foot where he was bitten was puffy. But this morning, his entire body was swollen. My father is still in bed, unable to move. That is why I am here in my father’s place without the raspberries.” The magistrate got steaming mad. He jumped out of his seat and boomed at the top of his lungs. “What did you say, you little brat? How could one be bit by a poisonous snake in
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winter? You have a big mouth for such a pipsqueak! How dare you go on about such obvious nonsense with a straight face! Guards!” “My lord, I am not telling a lie! Everything I say is true!” The little boy was adamant. “Have you lost your mind? Not a lie, you say? Where would you find a poisonous snake at this time of year? How dare you lie to your magistrate?”
p.20 The magistrate scolded the little boy. The boy bowed again and sat up straight before the magistrate. “Your Honor, you have said yourself that we are in the dead of winter?” “You fool. It’s clear as daylight. Anyone in their right mind would know that.” “Yes, you are certainly right, your Honor. This is wintertime. But where would one find raspberries in winter? My father has been sick in bed since he got your Honor’s orders, afraid that he would upset you. How does your asking for raspberries in the winter differ from me saying my father was bit by a poisonous snake?” Baffled, the magistrate could not say a word. “Your Honor, please do not be mad at my father. Forgive us both.” The boy politely begged for forgiveness for his father. The magistrate was embarrassed. He realized what a cruel heartless leader he had been and how irresponsible he was with his decisions. With this luck, , the poor official was spared.
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