Our Little Korean Cousin | Page 8

each day,
during the hours devoted to study, some account of events in the rise

and progress of the Korean nation or of its royal families.
You must know that Korea is a very old country, its history dating back
hundreds of years before America was discovered by Christopher
Columbus.
Now Wang Ken knew that dry history had very few attractions for his
young pupil, or any lively boy for that matter, so as far as possible he
avoided the repetition of dates and uninteresting events, and often gave
to Yung Pak much useful information in story form.
One day, when the time came for the usual history lesson, Wang Ken
said to Yung Pak:
"I think that to-day I will tell you the story of King Taijo."
At this Yung Pak's eyes sparkled, and he was all attention in a moment.
He thought one of Wang Ken's stories was a great deal better than
puzzling over Korean letters or struggling with long strings of figures.
The tutor went on:
"When Taijo was born, many, many years ago, our country was not
called Korea, but had been given the name of Cho-sen."
Yung Pak had been told that Cho-sen meant Morning Calm, so he
asked Wang Ken how it came about that such a peaceful name had
been given to his country.
"Why," said Wang Ken, "the name was given to our land years and
years ago by the leader of some Chinese settlers, whose name was Ki
Tsze. In his native land there had been much violence and war, so with
his friends and followers he moved to the eastward and selected this
country for his home. Here he hoped to be free from the attacks of
enemies and to be able to live a peaceful life. For this reason he chose a
name which well expressed its outward position--toward the rising
sun--and his own inward feelings,--Cho-sen, or Morning Calm. This is
still the official name of our country.

"But to come back to our story of Taijo. At the time of his birth, the
rulers of the country were very unpopular because of their wickedness
and oppression of the people. There was much suffering on account of
the misrule, and the people longed for a deliverer who should restore
prosperity to Cho-sen.
"Such a deliverer appeared in the person of Taijo. It is said that even as
a boy he surpassed his fellows in goodness, intelligence, and skill in all
sorts of boyish games."
Wang Ken improved this opportunity to tell Yung Pak how important it
was that all boys should follow such an example.
But while Yung Pak listened with apparent patience, he could hardly
conceal his inward desire that the tutor would go on with his story. Like
most boys, of all races, he felt that he could get along without the
moralizing.
"Hunting with the falcon was one of Taijo's favourite sports. One day,
while in the woods, his bird flew so far ahead that its young master lost
sight of it. Hurrying on to find it, Taijo discovered a hut beside the path,
into which he saw the falcon fly.
"Entering the hut, the youth found a white-bearded hermit priest, who
lived here alone and unknown to the outside world. For a moment Taijo
was speechless with surprise in the presence of the wise old hermit.
"Seeing his embarrassment, the old man spoke to him in these words:
"'What benefit is it for a youth of your abilities to be seeking a stray
falcon? A throne is a richer prize. Betake yourself at once to the
capital.'
"Now Taijo knew how to take a hint as well as any boy, so he
immediately left the hut of the hermit, forsaking his falcon, and went to
Sunto, then the capital of the kingdom.
"As I have already told you, Taijo was a wise youth. He did not rush

headlong into the accomplishment of the purpose hinted at by the
hermit. Had he done so, and at that time attempted to dethrone the king,
he would certainly have been overpowered and slain.
"He took a more deliberate and sensible way. First he enlisted in the
army of the king. As he was a young man of courage and strength, he
was not long in securing advancement. He rapidly rose through the
various grades, until he finally held the chief command of the army as
lieutenant-general.
"Of course Taijo did not reach this high station in a month, nor in a
year, but many years went by before he attained such an exalted place.
Meanwhile he married and had children. Several of these children were
daughters."
Wang Ken did not say right here, what he might have said with
truth,--that in Korean families girls are considered of very little
consequence.