Sample Translations
Eunsun Heo Mom, Where Are You? E ng l i s h
Book Information
Mom, Where Are You? (엄마 어디 있어요?) Hyeonamsa Publishing corp. / 2012 / 3 p. / ISBN 9788932373270 73810 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
Mom, Where Are You? Written by Heo Eunsun, Illustrated by Park Jungwan
The house feels empty. 1 Dad is reading the newspaper sitting on the living room coach. But like a missing tooth or a too-short haircut, it feels as if something is missing.
There is no smell of eggs and ham cooking over the stove every morning. The kitchen is empty. Nobody is making the usual noises. Where is Mom? Mom? Mom? There are so many corners of the house to inspect. “Mom went to Grandma’s place. She’ll be back.” That can’t be! Mom never leaves me behind when she goes to Grandma’s.
I broke my piggy bank. I knew I would need the money to get to Grandma’s house. I never went to Grandma’s house alone before, but I had to. I have to get to Mom!
I remember this sign! We drove past this road when we went to Grandma’s house. I guess we are almost there.
“Hey, little boy at the back! This is the last stop!� I must have fallen asleep. Where am I? I hurried off the bus. What do I do now? I hope I am not lost.
The last bus stop is covered in all sorts of scribbles. Ripped posters and other bits and pieces of paper fill the wall. What’s this? There is one piece of paper on the wall that looks new.
Moonrise Village? House with a shaggy yellow dog? I tried to ask the bus driver for directions, but the bus had already left. I was left all alone. But everything is going to be okay because I will be with Mom soon.
Is Mom here?
Mom?
Where am I? Where is Mom?
2
I can’t walk any more. My legs are hurting me. Huh? What happened? I was standing in front of my house before I knew it.
As soon as I opened the door, I could smell the food cooking. The gentle clicking and clacking sounds of cooking coming from the kitchen tickled my ears.
Do you know that feeling? That feeling when your new tooth fills the space left by the old one? That feeling when your hair is finally long enough to tie into a neat ponytail? No, even that’s not right. The feeling you get when you bite into a big cloud of cotton candy. The feeling of having a whole treasure chest to yourself!
“Mom!” I ran to Mom for a big hug. Mom will never leave me. Ever!
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