Sample Translations
Deok Kyu Choi What Are You Doing, Turtle? E ng l i s h
Book Information
What Are You Doing, Turtle? (거북아 뭐하니?) Prunsoop junior Publishing corp/ 2015 / 2 p. / ISBN 9791156750710 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
What Are You Doing, Turtle? Written by Choi, Deok Kyu
After the roaring waves whipped high, the turtle found himself on the shore. He usually swam under the sea, but today he looked different than usual. The turtle waved his four legs with all his might; He still could not turn himself back over. It was impossible for him to get back on his feet by himself. At that moment, a rabbit appeared and asked him, “What are you doing, Turtle?” The turtle did not want to ask for the rabbit’s help. The turtle gave a brusque reply: “Don’t you see? I am looking up at the sky.” The turtle floundered for a while, and then a seagull flew down and sat on his stomach. “What are you doing, Turtle?” asked the seagull. The turtle answered: “What do you want to know? Is it the first time you ever saw a turtle practicing swimming?” The seagull left him and flew away. A swarm of ants were passing by the turtle and asked him, “What are you doing, Turtle?” The turtle gave a curt reply to the question. “Why, can’t you see? I am getting a suntan!” The ants disappeared shortly. A pig strolled along close to the turtle. He asked, “What are you doing, Turtle?” The turtle had an idea.
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“There is something yummy under my back,” said the turtle. The pig drew his head under the back of the turtle and sniffed. But when he could not smell anything nice, The pig left the turtle. (Sniff Sniff Sniff) After the pig left, the turtle again tried hard to turn himself over. But he only wriggled his legs in vain. The turtle saw a monkey who was swinging on one of the branches of a tree nearby. The turtle said to the monkey, “Let me touch your tail once.” He thought that if he would catch and pull on it, he would be able to get back on his feet. “Why do you want to touch my tail?” asked the monkey. The turtle replied, “Please do not ask the reason and just allow me to touch it.” But it was no use asking the monkey. The monkey did not allow him to touch his tail. The turtle would not give up easily. He woke up an alligator who was taking a nap. “Hey, you Alligator! You have a very weak tail, don’t you? Let me grab your tail!” The alligator got mad at the turtle’s words and he raised his tail up high. “I will show you how strong my tail is!” The alligator swung at the turtle with his tail with all his might. The turtle was so happy, he did not feel the pain. Flying through the air, the turtle cried, “Yay! I made it!” A mouse was roaming around and just in time found the turtle upside down. The mouse said to the turtle, “What are you doing, Turtle? May I help you turn back over?” The turtle got upset and yelled at the mouse furiously,
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“No, thank you!” (Shriek) (Shriek) (Plop) How long had he been lying on his back like this? The turtle poked his head out from the shell. Looking around, he said in a small, whispering voice, “Somebody, help…” (Somebody, help!) (Somebody, help!) (Somebody, help!) (Somebody, help!) (Help me!) (Save my life!) (I need help!) (Save my life!) (I need help!) (Help me!) The waves crushed in again. The turtle returned to the sea with them.
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