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JENNA KIMTHE TALE OF SHIM CHEONG

THE TALE OF SHIM CHEONG!JENNA KIM

© Jenna Kim 김제나 jenna.kim.us@gmail.com

Once upon a time, there was a kind-hearted girl named Shim Cheong. Sadly, her mother passed away giving birth to her. So, her blind father raised her with lots of love. Shim Cheong took care of him since she was a child and worked hard to earn a living for her family.

One day, Shim Cheong had to stay late at work. Her father got concerned and went out to look for her.!

While walking, Shim Cheong’s father accidentally tripped on a rock and fell into the river. “Help! I’m drowning,” he shouted in panic.

A monk passing by saw him and ran towards him. He helped Shim Cheong’s father get out of the river. The monk then found out that Shim Cheong’s father was blind.

The monk advised him, “If you offer Buddha three hundred sacks of rice, you will be able to see again.” Shim Cheong’s father was happy to hear that he might be able to get his sight back. However, he soon realized that he couldn’t afford to buy that much rice.

When Shim Cheong came back home, she heard from her father what had happened. She said to her father, “Don’t worry, father. I’ll find a way to afford the rice!” Shim Cheong went around the neighborhood and begged for rice. However, she couldn’t gather enough.

One day, Shim Cheong overheard her neighbors’ conversation. “Did you hear the news? A group of sailors is looking for a human sacrifice to calm the seas. They will pay as much as one wants.” When Shim Cheong heard this, she went to see the sailors and asked for three hundred sacks of rice in return for her sacrifice. The sailors agreed.

Shim Cheong got on the boat with the sailors. Before jumping into the sea, Shim Cheong thought to herself, “I do not fear death, but I pray that this will help my father see again.”

Splash! And just like that, Shim Cheong disappeared into the sea.

She woke up at the sound of beautiful music. She had no idea where she was. “Am I dead or alive?” Shim Cheong said to herself.!

Just then, she heard a voice saying, “Wake up, now. This is the sea palace. The Dragon King wants to meet you.” When she walked into the chamber, the Dragon King asked her why she chose to jump into the sea. Shim Cheong told him what had happened.

The Dragon King was deeply moved by her love and devotion to her father and decided to send her back to land. With the help of the Dragon King, Shim Cheong was wrapped in a lotus flower and rose up to the surface.

The King of Chosun was walking on the shore of the calm sea when he saw a beautiful lady bloom out of a lotus flower. “What’s your name?” he asked. “I’m Shim Cheong,” she replied. The King fell in love with Shim Cheong and decided to marry her.!

Shim Cheong enjoyed her new life at the palace, but she missed her father so much. To help her find her father, the King invited all the blind people in the country to the palace. Meanwhile, Shim Cheong’s father was still blind despite his offering of rice to Buddha. When he heard the invitation from the King, he headed towards the palace.

A few days later, Shim Cheong spotted an old man entering the gates of the palace. "Father, is that you? I'm Shim Cheong, your daughter!" She cried. "My dear daughter Cheong, you're alive! I've missed you so much," he replied as tears fell down his face.

That moment, a miracle happened. Shim Cheong's father opened his eyes! He was able to see again. Shim Cheong and her father reunited and lived happily ever after.

THE END !