First Novel: We are one
Title: Now, we are
one
Writer: MyLK
Happy
to see brightness, I dashed toward the sunlight. But when I got out of the pipes,
I felt my face fall into a confused look. When I stared at the Panmunjom, I
realized that I was very far away from Seoul. “Are you lost?” a voice called.
Without hesitation, I quickly replied “Yes. I sure am. I need to get back to
Seoul. Do you know the way?” He replied quickly as well. “I’ve heard a lot
about Seoul. My great grandfather used to talk about it a lot. But I’ve never
been there before.” he said. “Oh...” I said with disappointment. “However, I
will be happy to help you get home! It’s my pleasure.” he eagerly replied. “So,
are you from North Korea?” I asked. “Yes, indeed I am. And you, my friend, are
probably from the other side of the peninsula!” He added. With excitement, I
ran toward the brownish body, which looked exactly like me. “My name is Barley…”
I started. “And I am a Korean wood mouse. I came from Seoul.” His eyes softened
as he stared at me. “My name is June, and I am also a Korean wood mouse, but I
am from Pyongyang.” He replied, as he tried to reach out his paws to me.
Soon
after, we happily started a conversation, telling each other about what our
families are like and what we enjoy doing. And surprisingly, we had many
similarities. We both loved rice cakes and enjoyed playing Tuho. “Ah yes,
rainbow rice cakes are my favorite.” June said, as he squeezed his body through
the fence. Looking toward rough road he said, “Well we better get going.” But, I
paused. “Aren’t you coming?” he called as he started his way down. I gave him a
puzzled look. “Go where?” I squeaked with a shaky voice. “To Seoul! Isn’t that where you live? I told you,
I’m coming with you!” he said impatiently. I had no words. “Alright then… I’m
coming” I blurted out as I slowly followed.
As
we scattered through the long grass, I was so surprised to see that June was good
at navigating through the path. “How does he know the way so well?” I asked
myself. “So, do you live near the Lotte tower or the Namsan tower? Have you
been to the five palaces in Seoul?” June asked, breaking the silence. “I live
near Gyeong-bok-gung” I replied. “which is one of the five palaces.” I added. He
bounced with excitement as he clapped his paws together. “I’ve always wanted to
visit there.” He started. “My great grandfather used to talk about it a lot. He
told me about how his parents used to pass by the brick structures, before the
war separated the peninsula.” June said looking at the sky.
“But…”
He stopped. “My great grandfather always
reminded me that we would always share the Korean spirits, even if we are from
the North or the South. No matter what, we will be one Korea, even if the land has
been separated.” He continued. “My great grandfather loved visiting the Baek-du-san
with me.” June said. “Well, I’ve heard lots about the Baek-du-san as well! It’s
in our national anthem! Donghaemul-gwa Baekdusan-i….” I sang. But June seemed
to be lost when I started singing the national anthem. So, I changed the topic.
“My grandma would tell me fun stories. One of them was about a mouse which
turned into a human after eating a man’s finger nail.” June laughed. “Hey, I
know that story! As soon as I heard about it from my great grandfather, I tried
to find human finger nails all over the place.” He said, pushing a rock over to
the side. “I’ve learned a lesson from that experience. A story is just a story”
he said, giving me a friendly grin. “Well, we better get going!” he said as he
started his way down to the path.
After
long hours of scurrying, I started to feel the busy city chaos. I slowly sensed
the smell of home. June was still ahead of me, glancing at buildings every two
seconds. “I cannot believe I’m here!” He said in a dreamy voice. “This isn’t a
dream, right?” I laughed. “Of course not! Well, unless I’m in a dream as well.”
His smile grew. “Let’s go get a snack. Rice cakes?” I asked walking toward a
food sample cart. June followed, still looking at the city every two seconds.
“We’re going to have to be quick” I whispered, as I swiftly snatched a big
chunk of the rice cake that was lying on the floor. “Yes! Big success!” I said,
turning back to June.
But
June wasn’t there. “June…?” I said holding the rice cake between my hands. “Oh
no…” I told myself. “I will never be able to find June. Seoul is too big and
busy.” I told myself. Finding an empty area, I sat down with the rice cake.
Slowly pulling out a piece, I glanced at the city every two seconds, hoping to see
June again. But there was no sign of the Korean wood mouse. Shoving a piece in,
I wondered what June would be doing. “He is probably starting his way back home.”
I thought. “He could have stayed at least for dinner...” I told myself, shoving
the last bit of rice cake in my mouth.
With
a full belly, I started my way back home as well. “Too bad he couldn’t see Yi Sun-sin”
I said, passing by the statue in Gwang-hwa-mun square. The area was filled with
tents and people. “Well, there are too many people anyways. He could have been
kicked out.” I thought as I kept on walking and dodging the yellow signs with Do
Not Cross. My overwhelmed body was stopped by traffic that blocked my way back
home. “Oh great. Well, I guess I’ll go back near Gyeong-bok-gung.” I said
walking toward a crowd. When my feet finally touched the palace, the crowd grew
larger than ever. It was filled with people, cameras, and fireworks. I knew
something was going on, something very special. However, my tiny body couldn’t overcome
the extreme tiredness after all the walking I did. As I leaned against the
brick wall, I slowly drifted off.
“Thank
you all for coming today! We will start the ceremony with a short performance
by the Traditional Korea Quartet!” My sleep was interrupted by a roaring crowd.
As I stood up on my feet, I saw a group of people performing something. “I’m
getting kind of hungry. I wish I had more rice cakes…” I mumbled to myself. “Maybe,
there are some delicious food for the celebration…” And so, I sneaked into the
crowd.
Suddenly,
I couldn’t avoid stopping, because my eyes were caught at a brownish body that
looked just like me. A Korean wood mouse was sitting at the edge of the
sidewalk. “JUNE!” I yelled at him, while running toward him. June waved happily.
“Come sit! It’s a good view here!” He called, scooching over a spot. As I sat
down, he handed me some rice cakes. “Wow, thanks!” I said taking a big bite. “Sorry
I left without telling you. I was so excited when I saw the Great King Sejong’s
statue. So, I went to get a closer look. But when I came back, you weren’t
there. I decided to stay here and wait
for you. I just knew you would come!” he told me, licking the stickiness off
his paws. We spent most of the night listening, watching, and talking. “I really
want to visit the Baek-du-san! Can you bring me over to your place later?” I
asked “Of course!” He replied.
“We
finally became one again.” A man spoke.
“We have shared the same culture, history, and language since Dan-gun
founded Korea… Now, no more North Korea, no more South Korea, but just Korea…” After
the man finished his speech, everyone gave him a big applause. Even June and I
clapped for him. He was right. We are neither a North Korean mouse nor a South
Korean mouse. We are Korean wood mice. When a grand accompaniment started
playing, everyone stood up and sang together. “Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo, Arirang
gogaero neomeo ganda….” It was very surprising to know that June knew the song.
When everyone sat back down, a loud bang introduced the fireworks. Patterns of
every color blasted across the sky. It was beautiful to see everyone harmonized
together in one. “Korea! Korea! Now, we are one.”
Comments
Post a Comment