Young-hee and the Pullocho by Mark James Russell Read Free Book Online Page B

expecting a cloud, but was surprised by the silhouette of a bird so immense that its shadow lingered for seconds. It had wings the length of a soccer field, and a body the size of a whale, but its glide was light and graceful as a helium balloon. One beat of its wings sped it out of sight behind Haechi’s Horn, and a few seconds later, Young-hee was almost knocked off her feet by a gust of wind that whipped the trees and grass.
    â€œWow,” she said again.
    â€œAh, a crane!” said Jiha. “One of the ten symbols of life. Very good luck.”
    â€œ That was a crane?”
    â€œA great crane . It’s been a long time since I saw one.”
    Young-hee decided that, strange and overwhelming as it was, this world was amazing . Certainly more than school or her ugly apartment or the muggy Seoul summer. “Could I look around? You mentioned a goblin market?,” she babbled with gleeful excitement. “Or maybe I should climb Haechi Horn.”
    â€œHmm,” said Jiha, thinking. “You are free to go where you will, of course. But care is always needed, especially for a bear-child.”
    â€œOh, right,” said Young-hee, remembering the toothy dragonfly. “But you said you were guardians of this forest and around here.”
    â€œTrue,” said Cheonha, “but there are still dangers. What you need is a guide.”
    â€œI don’t suppose jangseung can get up and walk around in this world, can they?”
    â€œ Hehe , no. But our friend Grandma Dol can,” said Cheonha. “Isn’t that right, grandmother?”
    An old woman, large and lumpy, with chalky skin, shuffled out of the forest. She moved slowly but steadily, using a cane, with a large bag strapped to a wooden frame lashed to her back. She wore a bulky, gray traditional hanbok , like Korean peasants in old paintings. After a long pause, she asked, “Eh? What are our guardians rattling on about today? Never have I heard such a chatty couple of jangseungs.” She talked as slowly as she walked, but with the same assuredness of purpose.
    â€œGreetings, forest elder,” said Cheonha, his beard swishing as he talked. “We do have a favor to ask of you. And your partners, of course.”
    â€œOh, and what’s that? To buy all of my wares, sparing me a tiring day in the market?”
    â€œI’m afraid we don’t have the jungbo for a single one of your famous lanterns. But we’d like you to show the market to our friend, Young-hee.”
    â€œYour … friend ,” said Grandma Dol.
    â€œShe is from far away and would like to learn more about our world and customs,” said Jiha. “Could you show her around and keep her safe?”
    Grandma Dol shifted her shoulders to adjust the heavy load. She flashed Young-hee a quick look, just a once-over, but it felt like the old woman had seen into her soul. Her face was heavily lined, stoic, and unreadable.
    â€œVery well,” she said, resuming her slow, steady pace. “Come along, child. The goblin market is fast-moving. You could get lost if you aren’t careful. Stay close.”
    Young-hee leaned in close to Jiha. “You said I was the first person you’d seen in a long time,” she whispered. “What about Grandma Dol?”
    â€œDon’t be fooled by appearances. Did you see her skin? She is really a stone.”
    â€œA stone ?”
    â€œYes, a very old, wise stone. You may see many things that look like people, but you are the only bear-child around. Never make assumptions. Now, don’t dawdle. Stay close, and she’ll keep you out of trouble.”
    â€œThank you so much, General Jiha,” said Young-hee more loudly. “And General Cheonha. I won’t be long.” The jangseung shouted cheerful goodbyes as Young-hee scrambled to catch up to the old stone woman—a quick task, given Grandma Dol’s pace. If she really was a stone there was no telling how old