Long ago in Korea lived two brothers: the kind but poor Heungbu and his wealthy, greedy older brother Nolbu. After their father died, Nolbu took the entire inheritance, leaving Heungbu’s family in poverty. One spring, a swallow fell from its nest and broke its leg. Heungbu tenderly bandaged the bird and nursed it back to health. The following year, the swallow returned and dropped a magical seed. Heungbu planted it, and massive gourds grew. When he cracked them open, they were filled with gold, jewels, and a magnificent palace. Hearing this, the jealous Nolbu caught a swallow and intentionally broke its leg just to 'fix' it. When his magical seed grew into gourds, he opened them expecting treasure. Instead, out came goblins, monsters, and debt collectors who stripped him of his wealth. Seeing his brother ruined and homeless, the compassionate Heungbu shared his fortune, and the two brothers lived in harmony thereafter.
Kindness offered without expectation brings true fortune, while greed and cruelty inevitably lead to self-destruction.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Heungbu and Nolbu?
The moral is that true virtue is rewarded while greed and malice are punished. It emphasizes the importance of 'In-gwa-eung-bo,' the Korean concept of cause and effect or karma.
What kind of bird appears in the story?
The story features a swallow, which is a traditional symbol of good luck and a harbinger of spring in Korean culture.
What was inside Heungbu's gourds?
Heungbu's gourds contained various treasures including gold, silver, precious jewels, high-quality fabrics, and even a team of builders who constructed a palace for him.
What came out of Nolbu's gourds?
Nolbu's gourds released terrifying goblins (dokkaebi), monsters, and debt collectors who took all his money and destroyed his home as punishment for his cruelty.
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