- A Work of Renewal with Tree Spirits
- 1 In October 1906, with Hyung-yul and Ho-yun, Sahng-jeh-nim hiked up one of the paths of Mo-ahk Mountain.
- 2 On the way up the mountain, Sahng-jeh-nim gave Hyung-yul a stick and told him to use it to help in walking. At this, Ho-yun said, “What about me? You will carry me on Your back, won’t You?”
- 3 “Why don’t you walk?” Sahng-jeh-nim said. “Why should I carry you?” Hyung-yul gave one end of the stick to Ho-yun to hold onto as they went up.
- 4 At this, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “You favor her because you will become a couple.”
- 5 Farther up the mountain, Sahng-jeh-nim suddenly waved His hand; a piece of birch, a piece of hazel, and a piece of pear tree came flying as if they had been cut off with a sword.
- 6 He called to the spirit of each tree, and the pieces of wood all lined up.
- 7 “Go over there,” He said, and they went. He then told them, “Come here,” and they all came.
- 8 He said, “Play in midair.” The pieces of wood played with each other, going east, west, south, and north in the air. Finally, they came back to Him and bowed.
- 9 Sahng-jeh-nim finished this work and stood up to leave. The pieces of wood returned to their trees and were attached as before.
- Even a Spirit Should Be Young to Do Work
- 10 After hiking a while more, Sahng-jeh-nim, Ho-yun, and Hyung-yul arrived at a place where there was one small peak in the center with two big peaks on either side.
- 11 When Sahng-jeh-nim shouted something, a mountain spirit appeared in front of Him, ready to receive orders.
- 12 Sahng-jeh-nim asked the spirit, “What is in here and what is in there?”
“There is nothing,” the spirit replied.
- 13 “In that case, watch as I overturn this mountain.” Sahng-jeh-nim overturned one of the peaks and a boy came out.
- 14 Sahng-jeh-nim asked, “Do you know who it is?”
The mountain spirit answered, “No, I do not.”
- 15 “It is a spirit.”
“How could a spirit be so young?” the mountain spirit asked.
- 16 Sahng-jeh-nim thundered, “How could you speak without thinking? Even spirits should be young to do work.”
- 17 He added, “Though this is now a mountain, later there will be a big road here.”
- (JSD Dojeon 5,114)
