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!"