Author: Hwang Seon-mi, Odolttogi (Illustration)
Publisher: Sagyejeol
Hardcover | 56 pages | 240*235mm
| Important! Please read before you order! |
| >>>This book is written in Korean. |
About This Book
Who am I and how should I live? Philosophers have long pondered this
question and produced all kinds of complicated answers. People do not
usually ponder such questions. They lead their daily lives, which repeat
meaninglessly. Then, when faced with death, they are struck with the
embarrassing and regretful thought that they have wasted their lives.
Most people cannot confidently say that they have led their lives in a
way they truly want, not for the attainment of wealth or honor.
Here was a hen with a correct understanding of who she is and how she
should live, and practiced it accordingly. At first, she was caged in a
factory-style coop to endlessly produce eggs. Then one day she saw
another hen taking her chickens for a walk in the yard. This hatches in
her a thought; she wants to brood on her own egg and give birth to it.
For this mission, she even gives herself a name. She chooses Leaf for
her name because she wants to accomplish something, just as an acacia
leaf, after freely receiving wind and sunshine, down to the ground,
fertilizes the earth, and finally sprouts a fragrant flower. This marks
her first step as someone who truly owns her life.
But how difficult it is to live one’s own life! To start her life over
as a true hen, Leaf decides to leave the comfort zone of the coop and
yard where she doesn’t have to worry about getting food. She even
chooses to be the mother of a different animal, a wild duckling. After
raising the duckling with all of her heart and soul, she sends it off
into the world. Some time after that, she loses her life to a weasel
that had been waiting for the opportunity to kill her. The reader is
deeply touched by Leaf’s painful struggle to lead a truthful life, her
attainment of freedom, and realization of her dreams, as well as the
true meaning of love.
The author Hwang Seon-mi conceived this story at a time when her father
was on his deathbed. This experience led the author to thoroughly
reconsider death as well as life. The reader will find several places
extremely touching, the most spectacular being one where Leaf meets her
death with uncommon courage. Leaf, a non-flying animal, breaks out of
her body and flies into the sky. Even with a second or third reading,
audiences will be filled with awe at Hwang’s rendering. The
extraordinary illustrations of the story make a large contribution to
its effectiveness. Kim Hwan young, one of Korea’s most renowned
illustrators, took full advantage of his background as an animator and
produced illustrations that perfectly match the story. In fact, Kim’s
illustrations were a precursor to the revival of illustrated Korean
children's literature.
Availability: Usually ships in 5~10 business days.
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