The Story of Hong Gildong by Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Minsoo Kang Page A

for them but could find no trace of either. Their neighbors told them, “On that night, a great wind arose and lifted them from the ground to take them up to heaven.”
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    And so Gildong ventured forth, sad at the thought that he could rely on no one in the world even though his parents were still alive. Because of his unfortunate fate, he wandered about like a floating cloud, making the whole world his home and finding uncomfortable rest wherever he could.
    One day, he came to a land of magnificent beauty with high mountains and pristine waters. Taken by the fairness of the scenery, Gildong followed a small rocky path through the place where calm rivers flowed gently and great peaks covered with countless pine trees soared into the air. Pretty flowers and fresh grass as well as wild birds and animals all seemed to welcome him and guide him on his way. Gildong walked leisurely while enjoying the panorama, until the path ended at a sheer precipice that fell into a void, with a stream flowing down nearby. As he did not know where to go next, he was overcome by loneliness and sat down on the ground. Suddenly, a small dipping gourd appearedout of nowhere, floating down the current. He thought to himself, “This remote mountainous area is not a place where people live, so there must be a temple nearby.” 41 He stood up and followed the stream for a few
ri
until it ended at a waterfall, behind which he detected a hidden stone gateway.
    He pushed open the portal and entered a vast land that Heaven had created in the midst of the rough terrain. Hundreds of dwellings were built close together, around a large house in the middle. Gildong went forth to the central building, where he saw numerous people enjoying a great feast with tables scattered with dishes and drinking cups. They seemed to be having an argument among themselves. This was the lair of the bandits of Taesobaek Mountain. 42
    Gildong went up to the edge of the assembly and discreetly listened in on their conversation. He found out that they were discussing who should become their leader. He thought to himself, “After wandering about with nowhere to rest, Heaven has helped me by bringing me to this place where I will surely find the opportunity to make full use of my powers.” So he walked up to the people in a proud but polite manner and bowed deeply to them in greeting.
    He then addressed them. “I am Gildong, the son of High Minister Hong of Gyeongseong 43 and his lowborn concubine. I could not countenance being treated as an inferior in the household, so I left voluntarily to wander aimlessly about the world, resting wherever I could. Now Heaven has decreed that I should come upon this place. Proud men, I ask you to disregard the youthfulness of my appearance and test my qualities so that you may see that I am worthy to live among you and to share everything with you.”
    Everyone stared at Gildong in silence for a while.
    At last one of them spoke out. “You have the appearance of a heroic personage. So I will tell you of two tasks that you can take on to demonstrate your worth to us. First, over there is a rock called Sobu Stone, which is a thing of a thousand
geun
. 44 If you can lift it, then we will know your strength. Second, we want to attack Haein Temple in Hapcheon County 45 and stealits treasures. Thousands of monks live there. A great deal of wealth could be gained, but we have not been able to come up with a good plan. If you should achieve both goals, we will make you our leader and share everything with you.”
    Gildong, greatly pleased, replied, “Born as a true man, I have studied the stars above and the ways of
eum
and
yang
46 as well as the
Military Rules
of Sonja and Oja. 47 I have also mastered the magical powers of invisibility and metamorphosis. If I could have become the commander of three armies, 48 I would surely have risen to the rank of a great general in a time of war