The Great Storyteller

Translated by: ShawnSuh

Edited by: SootyOwl

Tilting his head, the man gave Yun Seo a confused look.

“I’m sorry?”

Ignoring Juho, who was appalled by Yun Seo’s suggestion and the man’s dimwittedness, Yun Seo kept going, “I’ve already retired from teaching, but we have somebody who has never taught before. So, I think you might have a better shot with Juho here.”

“Does that mean I can learn from Mr. Woo…?”

“If everything pans out, yes.”

“Wait, wait,” Juho said, springing up from his seat and shaking his head. “What are you talking about, Mrs. Baek!? I can’t teach anybody!? I have enough on my plate as it is!”

“Oh, c’mon now. I know you have what it takes.”

“You know my situation, Mrs. Baek.”

“I do. What you need is inspiration. The way I see it, I’m sure you two will be able to help each other out.”

“Please, Mrs. Baek. Would you give it some more thought?”

“Everyone lives with a fear of death. I think I’d feel more at peace knowing that someone else would take over after me.”

“… But…”

“There’s a first time for everything, right? Besides, you like this kind of stuff.”

Although Juho couldn’t think of a response, he found himself thinking of the worst-case scenario. However, looking toward the man, who was blinking awkwardly at the author, Juho was quickly reminded that teaching was not an option.

“No. I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Shouldn’t we ask him first? I believe he said he came here to see you, Mrs. Baek. I don’t think he’d be interested in attaching himself to somebody like me,” Juho said. Then, looking toward the man, he asked emphatically, “Am I right?”

Juho thought that he couldn’t have made it more obvious for the man that he wasn’t interested in teaching. However, the thoughtlessness on the man’s eyes was telling Juho otherwise. Sure enough, the man looked toward Juho, bowed, and said, “Mr. Woo, please take me in as your pupil.”

Then, prevented by Juho’s hand from bowing any lower, the man looked up at the author, who said emphatically, “No.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I’m not taking in pupils,” Juho said.

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t.”

“But you’re Yun Woo. Why can’t you?”

“It’s just not in my nature to pass things down to other people, let alone an opportunist like you.”

“I’m not as lighthearted as I seem, Mr. Woo,” the man said, and added passionately, “Please, Mr. Woo, allow me to explain.”

“I don’t think there is anything to explain.”

“Do you know what my nickname was growing up?”

“No,” Juho answered briefly. The author didn’t even know the man’s name, let alone his nickname.

Then, the man said in a hurry, “Crow.”

At that, Juho froze in place. The bird that had disappeared without a trace was standing in front of him as a person.

“Crow, huh?” Yun Seo murmured as if entertained by the situation.

“It’s because of my dark skin. I constantly got picked on growing up. ‘White Heron, do not venture into the valley where crows fight.'(1) I couldn’t stand that poem. I remember crying a lot when I was in elementary school because I hated myself so much.”

“And?”

‘What’s that have to do with anything?’ Juho thought, purposely drinking his tea slower than usual.

“What I’m trying to say is that I look up to you as much as I look to Mrs. Baek, Mr. Woo. There’s a crow in one of your novels, and as far as I’m aware, you like birds. Thanks to you, I learned how to love myself. Do you understand where I’m coming from now?”

‘No, not really,’ Juho said to himself. Fighting the urge to sigh, Juho smiled.

“Of course, I’m not insisting that you take me in without even proving myself to you. If you decide that I don’t have potential, then I’ll get out of your hair. So, please, let me show you what I’m capable of.”

“… OK? Where’s your manuscript?” Juho asked.

“… I don’t have it. I… didn’t think I would get this far,” the man replied.

“Well, aren’t you curious?” Yun Seo asked Juho.

‘Is this why you haven’t been around? To show up in front of me like this?’ Juho thought to himself, chuckling. Since he was curious about the Crow’s ability as a writer, Juho finally made up his mind and said, “Very well.”

After Juho’s affirmation, the Crow’s eyes widened. Rubbing the back of his neck, Juho said, “As for the topic and genre, I’ll leave those entirely up to you. Write something with which you’ll be most confident.”

“Great. How much time do I get? Where do I write?”

“How about a week?” Juho said out of impulse.

“As long as you’re OK with a shorter piece.”

“You can come see me at my studio when you’re done.”

At that, the Crow’s vision shook.

“Can I really come?” the Crow asked timidly.

To which, Juho replied nonchalantly, “As long as you’re not planning on robbing my place.”

“I’m sorry?”

“If you are, I’ll give it to you. Be it money or manuscript. Just don’t stab me, all right? I plan on sticking around a while longer.”

“Of course, Mr. Woo…” the Crow said awkwardly.

—

“Hello, Mr. Woo.”

When Juho opened the door, he saw the crow standing there nervously.

“You’re right on time,” Juho said.

“I thought running late was not an option, and I’d be bothering you if I’d gotten here early, so I waited by the door.”

Upon coming in, the Crow looked around the apartment, enthralled by the fact that he was in Yun Woo’s living space. After bringing out some tea, Juho asked, “Will this do?”

“Yes, it will.”

“It’s a healthy tea.”

“Thank you, Mr. Woo,” the Crow said, slowly drinking the tea. Smacking his lips, he said calmly, “Well, they say that bitter things are good for you.”

Looking at the Crow’s bag, Juho asked, “Your manuscript?”

“I have it with me.”

“Great. Let’s see it.”

“Just…” the Crow hesitated, sweating nervously.

“Is there a problem?”

“… Don’t expect too much,” the Crow said, and Juho chuckled inadvertently. Juho hadn’t been expecting much from the Crow from the start. Nevertheless, the aspiring writer’s affection for Juho was visible.

Nodding, Juho said, “Don’t worry. I won’t criticize you.”

Juho took the manuscript from the Crow’s hands. The dark, slightly oversized letters told Juho that the aspiring writer had written it with care and effort.

“What’s it about?”

“It’s about death.”

“Death, huh? I like that,” Juho said, rubbing his mouth. Then, sitting up straight, Juho started reading through the manuscript. Staring fiercely at Juho, it was clear just how nervous the Crow was becoming. The more Juho flipped through the pages, the more nervous the Crow grew. It was a short story, which was told from a first-person perspective, about a protagonist who was murdered by his significant other. She confessed that she’d been in love with someone else all along at the time of the protagonist’s death. After reaching the halfway point of the manuscript, Juho asked without interest, “Are you the cheater or the cheated?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You heard me.”

“… The latter.”

The biographical nature of the story was very apparent. The characters were described with great detail and originality. At the same time, the writing lacked tension. Paying no attention to the Crow, who moved busily on his seat, Juho lowered the manuscript and saw the stiff look on the aspiring writer’s face. Breathing in quickly, Juho said, “It’s not bad.”

“Really!?” the Crow exclaimed, genuinely happy that he had Yun Woo’s approval. However, that excitement was short lived, as Yun Woo massaged his shoulder and said, “… But, I’m not taking you in.”

At which point, the expression on the Crow’s face hardened almost immediately.

“Could you tell me why?”

“You have talent.”

“Eh?!” the Crow let out with a silly look on his face, both happy and in despair.

“So, I don’t think you need to learn from me. If you keep trying, I’m sure somebody will pick it up eventually. As far as I can tell, I think you have what it takes to be an author.”

“Wait, am I really that good?!”

“Yes. Your sentences could use some work, but that’s something that improves over time as you build experience. Otherwise, you’re a fantastic writer,” Juho said, scratching his chin and adding, “Seems like you’re the genius type.”

As the Crow remained silent, Juho rose from his seat without hesitation and said, “You can stick around until you finish your tea.”

“Wait, Mr. Woo!”

“What?” Juho asked, looking down at the Crow, who swallowed nervously and asked, “I still want to learn from you.”

“Did you not hear what I said?” Juho asked.

“No, I did, but I was never trained professionally and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do as an author. On top of that, I’ve never been to this city. Not to mention I’m broke…”

“I’m not your sponsor, you know.”

“No, no. I can always figure out my financial situation, and… Well, I guess I can figure everything out on my own. I’m sorry, Mr. Woo. It just came out wrong. What I’m really trying to say is that you’re Yun Woo.”

As Juho tilted his head, the Crow started talking even faster.

“… And that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wouldn’t have met you if I hadn’t decided to visit Mrs. Baek at her house that day. It’s almost like a coincident… No pun intended.”

“Your point?”

“Please reconsider, Mr. Woo,” the aspiring writer said, reluctant to let go of an opportunity of a lifetime. Knowing the Crow, Juho was well aware that he wasn’t going to let up any time soon.

“No.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good enough reason to change Juho’s mind. At which point, the Crow dropped his head, rubbed his hands together, chugged what was left of the tea and said, “… I understand.”

After the Crow left, Juho exhaled slowly while looking at the empty mug and the chair.

“You couldn’t have made it more obvious,” Juho said, picking up the manuscript on the table. His hands shook ever so subtly as he flipped through the pages. It was an excellent story. Then, Juho went into his room, sat in front of his desk, picked up a pen, and started to write on his own sheet of manuscript paper. ‘About what am I most confident writing?’

“Damn it,” Juho let out, dropping his head, chucking his pen, and sinking onto the desk. Then, opening a drawer, he took out an old notepad. After looking at it with hesitation, Juho looked away.

“What am I supposed to write about?”

The Crow didn’t cry.

—

“Hello, Mr. Woo. I’m here to pick up my manuscript,” the Crow said as he ran into the author at the door the next day.

“I’m going out for a walk,” Juho said, slowly studying the aspiring writer.

“Can I come with you?”

“I don’t think so. You wait here. I’ll bring it out.”

“Are you not gonna let me in?”

“It’s not like you have other business being here,” Juho said, turning around.

At which point, the aspiring writer fessed up, “Mr. Woo! Please! I wanna learn from you! I confess! I left the manuscript on your table on purpose!”

“Go ask Mrs. Baek,” Juho said, closing the door without even bothering to hear what the Crow had to say. When Juho came back out with the manuscript, he saw that the Crow was standing on the exact same spot. After returning the manuscript to him, Juho said, “Well, bye now.”

“Did you read it more than once?” the Crow asked with the manuscript in his hands.

“No,” Juho said nonchalantly while making his way toward his usual trail. “Why are you following me?” Juho asked.

“You know why, Mr. Woo.”

“No means no.”

“But, sir…”

“I’d rather you not call me that.”

“I’ve read every single one of your books, including the ones you wrote when you were young. When I finished reading all of those books, do you know what I thought?”

“I don’t know if I care enough to know.”

“How is this person still alive?”

Walking forward without even bothering to look back, Juho replied, “Are you looking for a fight, young man?”

“If I were the one writing those stories, I would’ve died long ago, dried up like a mummy. You are like a well that never runs dry, and I’m like a thirsty passerby who’s desperate for a drink of water. So, Mr. Woo. Would you please give me the opportunity to drink from your well, just this once?”

“You seem to think that the well owns itself. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be asking the well for permission to drink from it.”

“Well, it’s an analogy…”

“You shouldn’t covet a well that already belongs to another person, you know. Water is life.”

At that, the Crow turned silent. However, he didn’t stop following Juho. Although well aware of this, Juho didn’t say anything about it since he was used to walking around with a crow by his side.

‘If… IF I took him in, maybe things would change,” Juho thought to himself.

—

Citation:

1 – Kim, Jaihiun. Classical Korean Poetry: More Than 600 Verses Since the 12th Century. 1994. pp. 7