Training Begins

Yong Tae hit the hardwood floor of the Do Jang hard, and the wind was forced from his lungs in a rush. For a moment, he couldn't see through the cloud of popping stars that filled his vision.

Ji Ho stood over him, looking down. Sweat ran down his face and, his damp uniform clung to his thin arms, wet from hours of training.

"Get up, dumpling. I need to try that throw again. It still doesn't feel right."
Yong Tae tried to lift himself from the floor. He felt as though he had pulled himself off the smooth wood a hundred times already. His arms faltered, and he fell again. Tears burnt behind his eyes. He fought them back.

Ji Ho prodded Yong Tae's ribs with his toe. "It's not nap time, dumpling. I said 'Get up'".

Anger rose inside Yong Tae, and with it, he found the strength to pull himself off of the floor. He shook his head to clear the last of the stars from his vision, and he saw Ji Ho standing in a ready position, prepared to throw him to the floor once again. Yong Tae tightened his fist until he felt his nails bite into his palms. A surge of energy lifted up from his lower stomach and rose as a pulse rose to his chest. It filled Yong Tae with a power he hadn't felt before, cleared his mind, and relaxed his body. Yong Tae’s eyes widened in surprise.

"That's the spirit, dumpling." Ji Ho beckoned Yong Tae towards him, "Come get some."

The power inside Yong Tae's chest began to rush down his arm toward his clenched fist. He had never experienced this kind of power before, but it felt as natural as his breath. Yong Tae was certain, it would not be him on the hardwood this time.

"Wait," Yoo Sang stepped between the boys and patted Yong Tae's shoulder, instantly sapping the energy from his grandson. "Ji Ho, shift your weight more to your instep when you prepare. Your balance will improve and your stepping will be more stable as you catch Yong Tae's arm." He shifted the older boys foot with his own and looked at Yong Tae. "Ok, Yong Tae. Attack."

Yong Tae could only stare in disbelief. Drained of his power, he felt empty, hollow, like a fallen tree in the forest, rotten from the inside. He knew his grandfather had taken the power from him, but how? Why? How had he known that Yong Tae had felt the rush of energy? He looked at Ji Ho. His partner stood ready, an eager look in his eyes. Yong Tae was certain, he would on the hardwood again.

"Yong Tae," Yoo Sang repeated when he saw his grandson hesitate. "Don't be afraid."

Yong Tae took a deep breath and tried to recapture the feeling of power. But it was gone. Determined to show his grandfather he was not scared, he shouted and launched his best punch at Ji Ho. Ji Ho easily sidestepped the attack, caught Yong Tae's arm from the inside with one hand and swung his arm under Yong Tae's punch. He slid his hips into position, and Yong Tae felt the pull on his arm propel him helplessly over Ji Ho's shoulder. Despite his thin build, Ji Ho had more than enough power to toss Yong Tae like a paper dahk jee to the floor. The older boy did nothing to ease Yong Tae's fall, and he hit the floor with full force. The impact again left him dazed and breathless.

"Ok, Ji Ho." Yong Tae heard Yoo Sang's voice through the dull ringing that settled into his ears. "You have made good progress with this skill today. Still, you will need more practice to beat the others at the tournament."

"Yes, Sah Boo Nim. I am ready. I will practice as much as it takes. I want to win the tournament and bring glory to my family's name. I will skip meals, not sleep, anything necessary to make more time for practice under your teaching. Assuming my partner is up to it."

Yong Tae's heart sank, even as he lifted himself from the floor. He hoped there would be no more practice today. The last throw had hurt his hip, and he had to lean his weight to his right side to avoid collapsing to the floor.

"No, Ji Ho. You must keep up your strength. You are tall and move smoothly, but the others at the tournament will be heavier and stronger than you." Yoo Sang looked both boys over. "We are finished for today."

Yoo Sang ordered the boys to bow, showing respect to each other to finish their training. Despite his aching body, Yong Tae lowered himself into a deep bow. Ji Ho merely nodded at his partner, refusing to lower himself before Yong Tae. The two boys then both bowed deeply to Yoo Sang, and Ji Ho left the Do Jang, followed by one of his retainers.

Yong Tae heard them laugh as they left, and the retainer turned to look at Yong Tae. His face opened into a broad smile, and he turned back to Ji Ho, laughing even harder.

"Yong Tae," Yoo Sang called to his grandson. "You wear your anger to clearly. Do not let their opinion of you cause you such hurt. Return home to your mother. Take her this letter." He laid his hand on Yong Tae's shoulder, and Yong Tae looked up into his grandfather's eyes. He saw none of the sympathy he had hoped to find there. Instead, Yoo Sang's eyes were cold and steady. "You will need much rest tonight. Do not play with your friends. Go now."

The mention of Che Ju and Ah Won brought fresh tears to the back of Yong Tae's eyes. He wanted desperately to play with his friends and forget about Ji Ho and his training. Again, Yong Tae fought back his tears. As much as he would have hated for Ji Ho to see him cry, he wanted even less for his grandfather to see him weak.
"Yes, Sah Boo Nim." He managed, backing away and bowing as he took the letter from Yoo Sang.

As he left the Do Jang he peeked into the folded parchment of the letter. He saw it was written in the characters of the ancient kingdom. No one in the village except Yoo Sang and Shi Woo could read all of it, but Yong Tae recognized the character for Dragon. Everyone knew that character. It was painted in the Do Jang above the door, but what it had to do with Yong Tae, he couldn’t tell. The rest of the characters his grandfather had written looked like a birds nest of tangled strokes and dots.
When he arrived home, Shi Woo saw his limp, and her eyes wet with tears. “What happened to you?”
Yong Tae didn’t answer, instead, he gave her the letter. “Grandfather sent this letter for you, mom. What does it mean?”

The Hat Ceremony Begins

Yoo Sang held his response, looked at Master So, and when the stone mason gave a small nod, the Sah Boo gave his answer. "None of you will be cleaning the Do Jang. Not this time. I have special tasks in mind for you. When Ji Ho and his fellow travelers arrived this morning, they brought work orders from the Emperor. Master So and Master Jung have been commissioned to prepare special materials for the royal court."

The three friends brought there heads up and looked at the three masters. None of the children could hide their joy at learning they would not be cleaning the Do Jang, and the news of the village masters being commissioned by the Emperor filled them with excitement. What kind of special projects would they be doing?

"And you mean we get to work on these materials?" Ah Won asked.

Again, Yoo Sang held his response until Master Jung smiled and gave an easy laugh. He nodded at Yoo Sang too and then returned to drinking his tea.

"It would appear so, Ah Won. But don't forget, this is a punishment for you three. I expect you will be working quite hard.” He leveled a stern look at the three friends before he continued. "Che Ju, you will be sent to work in the quarry. Ah Won, you will assist Master Jung in his practice, and you, grandson, will remain here."

"But grandfather, you said we wouldn't be cleaning the Do Jang!" Yong Tae knew as soon as he had spoken that he should have kept quiet, but it wasn't fair! His friends would be helping on special projects for the Emperor and he would be scrubbing floors.

"And you won't Yong Tae, unless you continue to press me. Now, you three are dismissed, I have much to discuss with the masters. You will begin your work with them at dawn tomorrow." Yoo Sang said. Then he added with a smile. "Today, you have a celebration to attend."

For Yong Tae, the celebration could not come soon enough. He left Che Ju and Ah Won as soon as they had left the Do Jang and ran as fast as he could back to his mother’s house. Shi Woo waited for him there and met him at the front door.

“Here, Yong Tae.” She passed him a box, wrapped in neatly patterned paper. “This is the hat I prepared for you. I hope you will like it.”

“Thanks Mom! But shouldn’t I wait until the ceremony?”

“Of course, the ceremony…” Shi Woo pulled the box back quickly. “I suppose we should wait for that. I will take this over to the Do Jang. You wash up and change into your good clothes.”

Yong Tae ran inside and quickly prepared for the ceremony. He had been so busy all day, that the significance of the event had kind of slipped to the back of his mind. Now, it was happening and he would receive his first hat.

In Kachisan Village, boys were not allowed to wear hats until their 3000th day, and after that, they were no longer considered just children. Today, Yong Tae would take the first step in the eyes of his fellow villagers towards being a man.

Fully dressed and washed, Yong Tae stepped out of his house and gasped. The villagers, including his grandfather, who now held the package from Shi Woo, were all gathered outside of Yong Tae’s house!

Time and Punishment

Yong Tae's eyes remained fixed on the wall. He couldn't believe the Challenge Emblem was missing! The silver dragon's claw, a gift from Yong Tae's father to Yoo Sang, had hung in the same place above the tapestry for as long as Yong Tae could remember. But sure enough, it had been taken down, and the wall behind showed a silhouette where the hooked claw had remained unmoved for so many years.
"That's right kids." A strange voice said behind the three friends. “There’s going to be a fight. The greatest fight ever! And none of you little dumplings are going to be able to see it! "
The three turned quickly to see who had spoken. A very thin boy who they had never seen before stood in the door. His hat was as fine as any of the men in the village, and around his neck hung a thick braided cord held a talisman that showed over his silken robes. The talisman displayed a tiger leaping at the sun with its claws spread, the symbol of the royal house. Yong Tae and Che Ju stepped back from the older boy, their eyes wide in amazement.
Ah Won was not so impressed "Who are you calling a dumpling? You look like you could use a few more dumplings yourself anyway. Did your family lose its fortune buying your robes? You’re so thin I bet your mom has to keep you inside on windy days or those fancy clothes will carry you away like a kite!"
"Mind how you speak to your elders little girl. It is not looked lightly upon to insult the son the Court Minister." The boy threw up his nose and looked down at Ah Won. "I should have you punished, but I will spare you if you bow to me now and beg my forgiveness."
"There is no need for that." Yoo Sang appeared and placed his hand on Ah Won's shoulder. "Those who know Ah Won expect to hear her mind. She is still learning to tame her tongue, but I'm sure one as wise as you, Ji Ho, can tolerate the impetuousness of a young girl."
"Yes, Sah Boo Nim." Ji Ho agreed, quickly letting it go. "I am pleased to see the young ones here are so brave." A slick smile slid across his lips. "They will prove...entertaining...during my stay here."
"Very well, you are already showing your aptitude as a pupil, Ji Ho. You will do well in your training. For now, I must deal with these three. Retire to your quarters and practice your meditation, I will be with you shortly for our first session of the morning. "
"Yes, Sah Boo Nim." Ji Ho turned on his heel and lifted the low hem of his robes to keep them off the floor as he strode through the entry of the Do Jang. He quickly retrieved his sandals and was gone from sight.
"Now, you three, come with me. I have Masters So and Jung waiting for you."
As the three followed their Village Elder to his personal quarters at the rear of the Do Jang, Yong Tae's heart raced with fear. He didn't want his grandfather to be angry with him, but he knew that he had been wrong to fight with Grandpa Bing Bing. He drew a deep breath and kept his eyes on the floor. Whatever happened, at least he had his friends with him.
Yoo Sang lifted his hand, and an invisible force pushed open the heavy doors to his chambers. He stepped aside and let the children enter first.
Yong Tae recognized Master Jung and Master So who were both sitting at opposite ends of a low table enjoying tea. They rose to their feet, lowered their heads, and touched the front brim of their hats in a respectful bow when Yoo Sang entered the room. After the Elder had seated himself behind the table, the masters returned to their seat and finally, the children kneeled down in front of them.
The room was sparse. Other than his clothes, the Sah Boo only owned three possessions. His chopsticks lay crossed upon the table, his sleeping mat lay rolled tight in the corner, and his sword leaned in its stand next to his sleeping mat. Everything else he kept in a small room behind the Do Jang and shared with the village.
Silence settled over the room, and Master So reached for the kettle to pour some more tea. His bare hand grabbed the hot kettle and steam rose around his fingers as he poured Yoo Sang's tea first, then Master Jung's, and finally he poured the last of the hot drink into his own small cup. Small grains of white powder, pulverized stone from the quarry, fell like snow flurries across the table as he served the tea, but his hand never faltered on the scalding metal.
Yong Tae kept his head down but he watched as Master So poured the tea. He couldn't take his eyes off Master So until he looked again at the table, and the stone powder was gone. His eyes widened in surprise, and Master Jung caught his amazement and smiled. He chiropractor lowered one hand below the table, and opened his palm for Yong Tae to see. In the center of his hand, the stone powder lay in a small pile! Not a single grain remained on the table.
The masters sat quietly and sipped their tea. Each of them rested comfortable on the floor with their legs crossed and their feet resting on their thighs. The aroma of fresh cut flowers carried up from their cups and filled the room.
Yong Tae felt so tense that he jumped slightly when Che Ju broke the silence.
"I'm sorry, Sah Boo Nim," he kept his head down as he spoke, but his voice filled the small room. "Yong Tae and Ah Won were only following me to Dae NaMu Grove. It was my idea to gather the silver bamboo, and they never would have gone if it weren't for me. Please forgive them and allow me to clean the Do Jang for us all, sir.”

The Hat Ceremony

Yong Tae could not believe his eyes. All the people of Kachisan Village had gathered outside his mother's home to honor his 3000th day. Yong Tae could not remember ever having seen so many of the villagers together at once, except maybe at the some of the festivals, and then, they were all spread around the village center, playing games, listening to music, and dancing. Now they all stood in a throng before his front door, looking at him in expectation. They made a lump rise in Yong Tae's throat that choked out his voice. He tried to speak, but his mouth only fell open as he stared back at the crowd.

Thankfully, Yoo Sang broke the silence. "I hear there is a man who seeks entrance to the village..." he let the sentence hang, and spark shone in the corner of his eye. "Have you heard anything of this, Grandson?"

Yong Tae was confused. "No," he managed to croak before he regained his voice. "No, grandfather. I haven't heard of anyone looking for entrance to the village. Maybe one of the guards would know."

"Oh." Yoo Sang smiled. "Then perhaps I should go and question them. In the meantime, you find out what you can." He turned and slipped smoothly in the mass of villagers, taking the box that held Yong Tae's hat with him.

"Wait!" Yong Tae was really confused now. All the villagers began to mill about, as though they had lost interest in him and were each returning to their previous business. Yong Tae quickly lost site of his Grandfather. "What just happened?" he said more to himself than anyone else.

"You just goofed up," Che Ju ansered the question as he slapped his friend on the back. "So...you sure you don't know any new men looking to join our village?"

"C'mon, Che Ju, don't tease me." Yong Tae was beginning to get upset. His frustration and confusion began to show as he talked louder and faster. "I've been with you all morning. We didn't see anyone other than Grandpa Bing Bing, and he's not looking to join Kachisan anytime soon. He made that clear. And what about my hat? I saw the box. Grandfather Yoo Sang has it and he just walked away! What am I supposed to do now?"

"Well, Little Brother, each Hat Ceremony is different. Remember mine? My dad hid my hat in his shop with all the fabrics mother had made. He said 'This family respects hard work. If you want your hat, earn the respect of your family as a man.' He tried to make a puzzle out of it, but I knew right where to look. I had to dig through piles of fabric and must have folded for hours before I found the box, but when I did...well, you know the rest." Che Ju touched the brim of his hat and made a formal bow.

Yong Tae glowered at his friend, but his faced warmed to smile when he saw Che Ju's grin. "Thanks Big Brother, but that doesn't really help. We don't have a fabric shop, and I know where my hat is. It's in my grandfather's hands!"

"Ok, but think about it like a puzzle Yong Tae, who is the new man trying to join Kachisan Village today?"

"I am!" Yong Tae's face split into a grin. "Ha ha," he laughed, "now I know how to get my hat. Where do you think Sah Boo Nim took it?"

"That's and easy one," Ah Won answered. "You told him you thought the guards might know, so he probably took you literally and is going to ask Captain Kim at the armory."

"Yeah!" Yong Tae jumped straight up and punched the air above his head. "He is the head of the guards, I think your right Ah Won. Let's go!"

The three friends ran off toward the south side of the mountain, where the village armory was cut into the side of the mountain. Kachisan Village only maintained a small detachment of guards. In times of peace, there was no need for more than a few men to watch the gates and to maintain the village armory.

When they arrived, Captain Kim met them at the heavy wooden door. "No, I haven't seen your Grandfather, Yong Tae, but I hear there is a new man looking to join the village. Where would a man go to seek entrance to the village? I would look there." He pushed the heavy door shut in Yong Tae's face before he could say anything more.

Yong Tae rubbed his temple as he thought. "The Do Jang!" he shouted. He took off running again and Ah Won and Che Ju followed after.

At the Do Jang it was the same, no one had seen Yoo Sang or Yong Tae's hat. They tried the village shrine next, and it was more of the same. Everywhere they went, all the villagers gave the same answer, 'Where would a man go seek entrance to our village?'

After Yong Tae led his friends back to his house, back to the Do Jang, and even to the noodle makers shop, he was nearly out of breath and completely out of ideas.

"Ok, so can you guys think of anything? It's like Grandfather became a ghost! No one has seen him and they won't tell me where to look! He has the whole village working with him!"

"Not the whole village, Little Brother. Ah Won and I are here to help you out."

"Yeah," Ah Won chimed in as she sat down. "You know, when I get stuck like this, I usually just sit down and wait until the answer comes to me."

"C'mon, Ah Won!" Yong Tae pleaded. "Sitting there isn't going to help! We need to keep looking!"

"Well, it's easier to think sitting here than it is running around like a headless chicken." Ah Won answered. "Don't let me stop you though, you just keep running around until you end up outside the gate, headed to the next village."

"That's it!" Yong Tae shouted. "The gate! That has to be it! C'mon!"

"But, Yong Tae," Che Ju started, "we've been by the gate four times already." But Yong Tae was already gone, running to the gate.

Che Ju and Ah Won caught up to Yong Tae as he neared the gate. The massive cedar door stood open to the road out of the village. The guards kept their posts at the top of the gate, but other than that, no one was around.

"Let's just look outside a bit, I know he has to be here somewhere," Yong Tae said.

As soon as the three friends stepped out of the village, Yoo Sang appeared behind Yong Tae, as though he had been hidden in his grandson's shadow the entire time.

"I hear there is a new man seeking entrance to the village, Yong Tae. Do you know anything about that?"

"Yes, sir, I do!" Yong Tae smiled at his grandfather and looked at the box in his arms. "It's me!"

"Well grandson, there is no man in this village that doesn't have a fine hat. It's fortunate for you that I have one here." He smiled at Yong Tae and removed the hat from its box. Placing it on Yong Tae's head, he smiled and tied the string below his chin. "I am proud to welcome you as a man in our village!"

"Waa," Che Ju exclaimed! "Look at that Ah Won! The silver bamboo is under the brim. Yong Tae's hat looks just like a magpie!"

Prelude: A Dragon's Promise

The morning of Yong Tae’s birth came on a calm winter day, and the crowd of villagers’ breath hung in a cloud around The Elder’s house. Inside, they could hear Shi Woo laboring to bring Yong Tae to the world. Then, for a long moment, no sound came from behind the walls. The thin cloud disappeared as everyone held their breath. Then a baby cried and a great cheer rose from all the people of Ka Chi San village.

A voice cried out, “The promise of the Dragon has come true!”

Later, many bright fires lit the night as the people celebrated the birth of the newest member of their village. No one had seen the baby, for Shi Woo would not leave her house for two more days, but they all knew she had born a son, healthy and strong.


Yoo Sang was the Sah Boo of Ka Chi San village. He was a wise leader and protected everyone in the village with his powerful Ki.

Shi Woo was his only child, and when she had come of age, Yoo Sang had arranged a month long tournament of games. The winner would marry Shi Woo and become successor to Yoo Sang. Word of the tournament traveled far. Men from many mountains away came to enter for the chance to marry Shi Woo and someday become Sah Boo.

Shi Woo knew most of the men who entered the tournament. All of them were skilled riders, fighters, and hunters. She looked forward to watching them compete for the right to call her wife.

Then a stranger entered the games. A head taller than all the other men, he wore a long cloak and a simple hat that tied beneath his chin. Unlike the other men, he wore no beard on his face. He spoke little and when the other men competed, he did not watch. His eyes would not leave Shi Woo, and she found him at the same time both great and terrible.

With ease, he bested all the other men in hunting, riding, archery, and martial arts. He was gracious and humble in his victories. He never joined the other winners as they celebrated at night, instead, he would retire from the village to the forest, only to return the next morning.
On the last day, the last three men rode to the foot of Ka Chi San mountain before sunrise, The first note of birdsong would start the final race, and the man to reach the village first would win. Everyone in the village waited at the gates to greet the victor.

The magpie was the first to break the morning calm with his song. Two of the men broke into a swift run. The stranger did not. He sat down and began to untie his hat. The other runners gave him one look then ran on. They dodged tall stalks of bamboo and leapt over boulders. Soon, the stranger was far behind.

The runners kept their eyes to the ground, watching where they ran. They did not see the silver-maned dragon fly overhead.

The villagers fled from the dragon as it landed before the gates. Its serpentine body shone in the dawn and its silver mane whipped in the wind. Great claws and fangs flashed. Yoo Sang stood unafraid.

“Where is your hat, brother?” He asked with a smile. “My daughter will not marry a man with no hat. Dragon or not.”

The dragon’s laugh shook the gates of the village. “I left it at the foot of the mountain, Great Sah Boo. I was in a rush to claim my prize.”

“And claim her you may, Great Dragon, for you will be a more worthy husband than a father could want, and as great a leader as any village could need.”
The dragon looked to the sky and shook his great body in pleasure. “A husband I will be, a leader I will not. In one year your daughter will bear my son. You will call him Yong Tae, and he will lead your people. This village will grow to a kingdom under my son. This is my promise to you.”

In a flash of silver, the dragon was gone, and Shi Woo with him.

1.1 A Gathering of Friends

“Wake up Mom, the sun is coming up,” Yong Tae said, shaking Shi Woo’s shoulder.

“It seems dark still…” Shi Woo teased, she could hear the excitement in her son’s voice. “You’ll just have to wait.”

“But MOM, the light is coming over the east mountain! It is my 3000th day and we have to gather the last blade of bamboo grass for my hat! You don’t want my next ten years to be all bad luck do you! You know that’s what’ll happen if I don’t get the bamboo before the sun comes all the way up. Plus, Che Ju and Ah Won are coming and…”

“Ok. Ok!” Shi Woo interrupted, “I’m up. Bring me my sandals, and we’ll go get your grass. Are your friends here yet?"

“Ah Won is outside, but Che Ju is always late. He probably stopped at his girlfriend’s house.”
Yong Tae’s nose wrinkled when he said “girlfriend”. Shi Woo smiled at her son. He would be ten soon. She knew his opinion of girls would change. He ran back into the bedroom, and she ruffled his hair before taking her sandals.

“Someday you’ll have a girlfriend too, Yong Tae.”

Yong Tae opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, Ah Won stuck her head in the open window.

“No girl would ever like Yong Tae. They all know he belongs to me!” Ah Won flashed a smile, and her face disappeared from the window. Moments later she reappeared in the bedroom.

Grabbing Yong Tae’s arm, Ah Won leaned in to kiss him “Isn’t that right?”

“Bwaaa!” Yong Tae’s eyes grew wide and he pushed her away with two hands. “Get offa me!” He backed away, lost his balance, tripped over a pot, and landed hard on his bottom.

“And he’s a little clumsy,” Ah Won jibed as she leaned over Yong Tae and landed a kiss on his cheek..

“Gross,” Yong Tae wiped his cheek with the back of his hand.

“Yong Tae! Be nice to your friend. Ah Won is a pretty girl, there’s nothing gross about her,” Shi Woo chided.

“And I’ll pound you if you aren’t nice to me. Remember that too!” Ah Won laughed as she turned and darted out of the bedroom. “You two better hurry! The sun is almost up now . And here comes Che Ju!”

“Here Yong Tae, take these rice cakes and share with your friends. Go ahead without me and gather the bamboo blade. I will have breakfast ready when you come back.”

Yong Tae grabbed the rice cakes, “Ok, Mom! Thanks! Be right back.” He called over his shoulder as he slid the door aside and joined his friends outside.

“Hey Big Brother, glad you could make it,” Yong Tae greeted his friend, "but where is your hat? You'd better put it on before one of the masters sees you, or worse, Sah Boo Nim"


Che Ju's hand went to his head reflexively, and he blushed a little as he realized his mistake. "Oh, I must have left it...somewhere...Don't worry about it."

"You can't go around town with no hat." Ah Won stated flatly. "You will have to...somewhere...and get it before we can go."

“Ha! There's no time!" Che Ju ignored Ah Won's jibe and returned to his light-hearted self. "I went to the forest yesterday to find the perfect blade for your mom to weave into your hat. It’s going to be great. We are going to have to hurry to make it to Dae NaMu Grove before the sun though.”

“Wait a minute,” Ah Won paused the group as they walked. “Dae NaMu Grove? I won’t go there. Grandpa Bing-Bing lives in that part of the forest.. He’s crazy!”

“Yeah,” Yong Tae offered his agreement. “My mom said he moved to the forest because he talks to trees! She said he thinks that plants are his family….and he never wears his hat! I’m not going near him.”

“He’s harmless,” Che Ju laughed. “I went there yesterday, and he didn’t even come out of his cave. Besides, that’s where your bamboo blade is.”

“No way. There is bamboo grass everywhere. Why should we go to Dae NaMu Grove?”

Che Ju’s answer was just above a whisper, “I told you, I found the perfect blade." His eyes shone with excitement. "On top of an old grave in Dae NaMu Grove there’s a silver bamboo plant! Let’s Go!”

1.2 Grandpa Bing Bing

Che Ju ran so quickly, Ah Won and Yong Tae struggled to keep up. He knew he was the fastest boy in the village and loved to show it. The friends ran past the school and Head Master Yoo Sang’s house at the top of the mountain, and began the climb down into the valley past the shops that were just opening. Behind them the sun eased its way over the East Mountain.

“Keep up you two!” Che Ju laughed. “We are almost to the gate, we can rest there!”

The friends pressed on until they reached the village gate, the only entrance to Kkachisan village on the west wall. The lucky magpie, symbol of the village, was carved atop the brown pillars that stood like tree trunks holding the massive gate.

Ah Won and Yong Tae collapsed against the thick wooden pillars, exhausted and out of breath.

“We’ll never make it in time,” Yong Tae panted. “Can’t we just collect some bamboo here? That way, if we don’t make it, I won’t have 10 years of bad luck. Anyway, I would be happy with a normal bamboo grass blade. I don’t need a silver one.”

“Hey! We’re going to make it, I know exactly where we’re going. And no way am I settling for a normal blade of bamboo for my Little Brother. How would that look on your 3000th Day celebration?”

Ah Won had caught her breath, and a little of Che Ju’s excitement. “Ya! Yong Tae! C’mon, you will receive your first hat today, and our Sah Boo is presenting it! That’s a BIG deal! ”

Yong Tae dropped his chin to his chest, hiding his face from his friends. Instantly, Che Ju knew why.

“Yong Tae, don’t worry about it. Not every boy’s father is able to present him with his first hat. It happens a lot. Last month the boy from DaeRim Village got his hat from his uncle, a goat herder, on his 3000th Day. You get yours from our Sah Boo! I want this to be special for you, Little Brother.”

His friend put his arm around Yong Tae’s shoulder.

Yong Tae lifted his chin and saw Che Ju’s smile. “Alright, lets go.”

“’Bout time!” quipped Ah Won.

Quickly, Che Ju bolted off down the mountain, with Ah Won right behind. Yong Tae pressed off the gate and gave chase, thankful for his friends.

The three friends raced down the mountain into the valley. The sun was nearly half-way over the top of East Mountain when they crossed the bridge and left the road to follow the path next to the river. It was only a short trip down the path, past the cave of Grandpa Bing-Bing, to Dae Namu grove.

As they passed the cave, a thin wisp rose from the entrance like smoke from the nostril of a sleeping dragon. The cave was dark, but something moved inside, and the friends stopped to stare as they heard a loud sound from the cave. “Krrrsssh…Crack! Krrrssh…. Crack! Krrrrsssh….Crack!”

“C’mon, let’s keep moving,” Che Ju said. “Seems like Grandpa Bing-Bing is a little more active today.”

A high pitched voice startled the trio. “Grandpa BING BING! More active, HA!” Grandpa Bing Bing slipped from the underbrush behind them and began to circle around, trapping them between himself, the river, and the mouth of his cave. His tattered robes were knotted with roots. Twigs and leaves twisted into thick braids with his hair and beard, and the ground at his feet sprouted with thorny weeds wherever he stepped.



His eyes caught Che Ju's. “Knew it! My trees told me what you found yesterday. It’s mine! The silver bamboo grows for me, not you!”