Sample Translations
Eunsun Heo Watermelon E ng l i s h
Book Information
Watermelon (ěˆ˜ë°•) Hyeonamsa Publishing corp. / 2012 / 5 p. / ISBN 9788932373263 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
Watermelon Written by Heo Eunsun, Illustrated by Lee Junghyun
One day Old Farmer Kim went out to take a look at his watermelon patch. Much to his surprise he found a very, very big watermelon. “My goodness, that’s the biggest honkin’ watermelon I’ve ever seen in my life!”
Not only was the watermelon gigantic, it was ripe and ready to be eaten. Old Farmer Kim harvested the watermelon and carried it back home as he whistled to himself.
“My goodness, that’s a very big watermelon!” Old Farmer Kim’s wife was surprised to see such a big watermelon. She fell on her behind with a big ‘thud!’
Old Farmer Kim and his wife were ready to crack open the giant watermelon when he suddenly thought of his mother. ‘This is a very special watermelon. We can’t keep it to ourselves!’ “My dear wife, let’s take this to Mother.” Old Farmer Kim’s wife smiled. “What a good idea, my dear husband! Your older brother will be pleased.”
“Goodness gracious! That’s the biggest watermelon I’ve seen in my seventy years!” When Old Farmer Kim’s old mother saw the big, honkin’ watermelon she was so surprised the wrinkles on her face straightened out.
1
Old Farmer Kim’s brother was ready to crack open the watermelon when Old Farmer Kim’s mother remembered her young daughter, who was going to have a baby. ‘She’s due any day now…….’ “Son, why don’t we send this to you’re younger sister?” Old Farmer Kim’s brother nodded in agreement. “Sure mother. I’ll say hi to brother-in-law Park too.”
“Oh my, oh my! What a big watermelon you have there!” Old Farmer Kim’s baby sister was so surprised to see the big, honkin’ watermelon that her mouth fell open in awe.
Her husband Mr. Park was about to cut into the watermelon when she was reminded of Thien. ‘She can barely speak any Korean. Imagine how lonely she must be.” Thien had come from Vietnam to marry Mr. Jang, the cabbage farmer last year. Thien looked up to Old Farmer Kim’s baby sister like her own family. “I say, husband, why don’t we give this to Thien?” Mr. Park slapped his knee. “That’s a wonderful idea my dear!”
“Why, what’s this?” When Thien saw the big honkin’ watermelon she was so surprised the baby in her stomach began to kick. “Look, the baby is surprised too!”
2
Mr. Jang was about to slice the watermelon when Thien remembered the lonely old man who lived up the lane. ‘This would make a great gift for our friendly neighbor.’ “Husband, why don’t we give this to Grandpa?” When Thien first moved to her new house in Korea the old man upstairs said, “You must be freezing, coming from a hot country like yours!” He stoked the fire to make sure the house was warm.
“Now that is ridiculous! That’s the biggest watermelon I did see in my eighty years!” When the old man saw the big honkin’ watermelon, he was so surprised his beard straightened out stiff.
When Grandpa was ready to crack open the watermelon, “Grandpa!” It was his neighbor Samsik dropping by. He came to visit the old man whenever he had the time. Samsik was a hard working boy who lived with his blind mother. ‘When will his family ever get the chance to eat such a big watermelon?’ “Samsik, take this to your mother as a gift.” “Really, grandpa? Are you sure?” “Of course I’m sure. You make me laugh every day!” Samsik was so happy to see that big, honkin’ juicy watermelon his mouth began to water.
Samsik’s mother could not see just how big the watermelon was. But the watermelon was so ripe, the sweet scent filled up the room.
3
“My dear boy, where is this smell coming from?” “Wait a minute mom! I have something for you.” Samsik chopped the big honkin’ watermelon into big honkin’ pieces. He grabbed the largest piece and gave it to his blind mother. “Dear me! This is the sweetest, most delicious watermelon I’ve ever tasted!” Samsik took a big bite out of his piece, too. “Whoa!”
Samsik had some visitors. Old Farmer Kim’s cow, Grandma’s pig, Mr. Park’s cats, Thien’s ducks, Grandpa’s goat, And Samsik’s dog as well, were all staring in from outside his door, drooling at the watermelon.
Samsik gave a piece to all the animals. The animals went back home with full stomachs, and pooped back at their homes.
Next summer, everyone was surprised at what they saw in their front yard. There were big honkin’ watermelons ripening at every house.
“Come out and see!” “What happened?”
4
“Did they fall out of the sky?” “I wonder how this all happened?” “Is this a dream?” “Mom, we hit the jackpot this year!”
“Cough, cough, uh, residents of Dingul Village, residents of Dingul Village, please come to the assembly hall today at three for the watermelon party!” The villagers brought their big, honkin’ watermelons for the feast. Everyone ate to their hearts’ content of the cool, sweet, and incredibly delicious watermelons that whole summer.
Here, have a bite!
5