- A Woman Is Swept into the Air
- 1 In 1904, during a long stay in Pyongyang, Sahng-jeh-nim conducted works of renewal for technological advancements.
- 2 Many gathered to watch and help. They all wanted to invite Him to their homes.
- 3 He took up one man’s invitation and stayed with him for a few days, but the man’s wife eventually complained, “What kind of person has my husband brought here? What was he thinking?”
- 4 As soon as the words left her mouth, she was swept up and suspended in the air.
- 5 Horrified, she screamed to her husband until she was hoarse. She flailed her arms and kicked her feet, trying to get down.
- 6 Her husband tried to grab onto her to pull her down, but she was above his reach.
- 7 Sahng-jeh-nim came out of a room with Hyung-yul and sternly asked her, “Do you not know what you have done wrong?”
- 8 “What did I do?” she answered, not realizing her fault.
- 9 Hyung-yul said, “She has been gracious enough to prepare meals for us. Please let her down.”
- 10 “Should I let her down?” Sahng-jeh-nim said. He touched the strap on His shirt and she was safely returned to the ground.
- 11 Sahng-jeh-nim said to His host, “Your wife does not think well of us. We will not eat here anymore. We should be going.”
“It is not like that at all,” said the husband.
- 12 “Then, why was she lifted into the air?” Sahng-jeh-nim asked. The husband and wife finally realized her fault and asked forgiveness.
- 13 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “If you tell lies, your tongue will get worn out. If you speak unpleasantly after giving someone something, you will be swept into the air like a fallen leaf.”
- 14 When Sahng-jeh-nim began to leave, the husband pleaded, “I will change her ways. Please do not go.”
- 15 But Sahng-jeh-nim left and set out for Gohng-ju.
- (JSD Dojeon 5,56)
