벙어리 삼룡이
Samnyong the Mute
Na Do-hyang (1902–1926)
The Story
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옛날 서울 남대문 밖 연화봉이라는 동네에 오 생원이라는 부자가 살았다.그 집에는 삼룡이라는 하인이 있었는데, 태어날 때부터 말을 하지 못했다.키가 작고 얼굴도 못생겼지만, 삼룡이는 누구보다 부지런하고 주인에게 충성스러웠다.
오 생원에게는 늘그막에 얻은 외아들이 하나 있었다.버릇없이 자란 주인 아들은 심심할 때마다 삼룡이를 괴롭히며 놀았다.어떤 때는 잠든 삼룡이의 발가락 사이에 종이를 끼우고 불을 붙이기도 했다.그래도 삼룡이는 주인의 아들이라며 한 번도 대들지 않았다.
주인 아들이 열일곱 살이 되던 해, 몰락한 양반 집안에서 아름답고 얌전한 새색시가 들어왔다.그러나 남편은 아내가 자기보다 똑똑하고 점잖은 것이 싫어서, 툭하면 아내를 때리고 욕했다.삼룡이는 새색시를 볼 때마다 하늘에서 내려온 선녀를 보는 것만 같았다.그런 사람이 매를 맞는 것을 보니, 삼룡이는 가슴이 찢어지는 것 같았다.
어느 날, 새색시는 비단 조각으로 만든 부시 주머니를 삼룡이에게 건네주었다. 늘 말없이 자기를 걱정해 주는 삼룡이가 고마웠던 것이다.그것을 본 주인 아들은 두 사람 사이를 의심하며 아내와 삼룡이를 마구 때렸다.결국 삼룡이는 그 집에서 쫓겨나고 말았다.
그날 밤, 오 생원의 집에 큰불이 났다.사람들이 우왕좌왕하는 사이, 삼룡이는 불길 속으로 뛰어들어 먼저 주인을 업어 내왔다.그러고는 다시 불 속으로 들어가 새색시를 찾았다.
삼룡이는 새색시를 안고 지붕 위로 올라갔다. 사방은 이미 불바다였다.삼룡이는 태어나서 처음으로 품에 안긴 사람의 따뜻한 체온을 느꼈다.새색시를 무사히 내려놓았을 때, 삼룡이는 이미 숨을 거둔 뒤였다.삼룡이의 얼굴에는 평화롭고 행복한 웃음이 희미하게 남아 있었다.
Full translationTry the story first — open this only to check your understanding.
Long ago, in a neighborhood called Yeonhwabong outside the Great South Gate of Seoul, there lived a rich man called Oh Saengwon. In his house there was a servant called Samnyong, who had been unable to speak since birth. He was short and plain-faced, but Samnyong worked harder than anyone and was loyal to his master.
Oh Saengwon had an only son, born to him late in life. The master's son had grown up spoiled, and whenever he was bored, he amused himself by tormenting Samnyong. Sometimes he would slip paper between the toes of the sleeping Samnyong and set it alight. Even so, Samnyong never once fought back, because the boy was his master's son.
The year the master's son turned seventeen, a beautiful, gentle bride came to the house from a noble family that had fallen on hard times. But her husband hated that his wife was cleverer and more refined than he was, and at the slightest excuse he hit her and cursed her. Whenever Samnyong saw the young bride, he felt as if he were looking at a fairy come down from heaven. Watching someone like her being beaten, Samnyong felt as if his heart would tear.
One day, the young bride handed Samnyong a little pouch for his flint and steel, made from scraps of silk. She was grateful to him for always quietly worrying about her. When the master's son saw it, he suspected something between them and beat both his wife and Samnyong savagely. In the end, Samnyong was thrown out of the house.
That night, a great fire broke out at Oh Saengwon's house. While people ran about in confusion, Samnyong dashed into the flames and first carried his master out on his back. Then he went back into the fire to find the young bride.
Samnyong climbed up onto the roof holding the young bride. By then there was a sea of fire on every side. For the first time in his life, Samnyong felt the warmth of someone held in his arms. By the time he had set the young bride down safely, Samnyong had already breathed his last. A faint, peaceful, happy smile lingered on Samnyong's face.
Comprehension Check
1. Why did the master's son hit and curse his wife?
2. Why was Samnyong thrown out of the house?
3. What did Samnyong do when the fire broke out?
Vocabulary
noun
하인
hain
a servant
삼룡이는 오 생원 집의 하인이었다.
Samnyong was a servant in Oh Saengwon's house.
Your Summary
In 1–2 sentences, say how Samnyong was treated in his master's house, and what he did on the night of the fire.
Source: Based on Beongeori Samnyongi (벙어리 삼룡이, Samnyong the Mute), the short story Na Do-hyang published in the magazine Yeomyeong in 1925. The author died in 1926, and the story is in the public domain. This simplified retelling in modern Korean and its English translation are original text written for SeoJae Story.
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