NARRATOR:
Once upon a time, a boy lived near the Kumgang Mountains in Korea. The White Tiger killed his father when he was a little boy. This White Tiger lived in the Kumgang Mountains. The White Tiger terrorized the village by preying on horses, cattle, and also humans. His father has been the finest hunter and gunman in the village. He had gone to kill the White Tiger in the Kumgang Mountains to save the village. He had never returned from the Kumgang Mountains. When the boy was young he decided that he was the one who wanted to destroy the White Tiger, so he wanted to practice with the gun to become the finest gunman just like his dad. When the boy grew up to be 15 years old he wanted to travel into the mountains and destroy the White Tiger.
SON:
Mother, I'm ready now to set out for Kumgang Mountains to find the White Tiger and defeat him. Please, let me go.
MOTHER:
Even a famous marksmen like your father was lost to the terrible White Tiger. Please, son, quit dreaming about such nonsense and stay safe here at home.
SON:
Don't worry, mother, I shall find the White Tiger. I know it!
MOTHER:
Very well, as you wish. But first let me ask you one thing. Your father used to have me stand with a water jug on my head. Then he would shoot off the handle of the water jug from one mile away without spilling any water. Can you do the same thing?
SON:
I'll try.
NARRATOR:
The boy missed and did not travel to the mountains. Instead he trained for three more years.
SON:
I shall try the test once again.
MOTHER:
Very well, you shall try once again.
NARRATOR:
The boy knocked off the handle but spilled a drop of water.
MOTHER:
Actually son, your father was able to shoot the eye out of a needle from one mile away. Can you do this?
SON:
I will try.
NARRATOR:
The boy missed. He gave up the idea of hunting the White Tiger. He worked with his gun for three more years. He succeeded by shooting the needle to the ground.
MOTHER:
I have to admit, I lied to you about all these tasks.
SON:
What? You wasted six years of my life when I already could have destroyed the White Tiger?
MOTHER:
I did it for your own good, son. I didn't want you to get killed. I was afraid for you. I see now that you are a fine gunsman and you are ready to go to the Kumgang Mountains to destroy the White Tiger.
SON:
Thank you, mother. I will leave at sunrise tomorrow.
NARRATOR:
The son left that morning to one day slay the White Tiger. On his way, he stopped at an inn.
SON:
My father was a victim of White Tiger years ago, and I have practiced for many years to avenge my father's death.
INNKEEPER:
Ah, yes. I knew your father. He was the greatest gunman in all the land. Why, he stopped here at this very inn, many years ago, before venturing into the Kumgang Mountains. Can you see that tall tree over there in the distance?
SON:
Yes.
INNEKEEPER:
Why, your father used to turn his back to that tree and then shoot down the highest leaf on the highest branch from over his shoulder. If you can't do the same thing, how can you expect to defeat the White Tiger?
NARRATOR: The boy missed. He knew he wasn't ready to go into the mountains, so he stayed with the innkeeper for three years. He practiced every day until he could do this.
INNKEEPER:
Just because you can do that, it still doesn't mean you can outshoot your father. Why, your father used to set an ant on the side of the cliff and then, from a distance of three miles away, he would shoot that ant off without even scratching the surface of the cliff. No matter what a fine gunsman you may be, certainly you can't match that.
NARRATOR:
The boy once again failed. He stayed another three years at the inn until he could complete the test. One day he completed the test.
INNKEEPER:
With your skills now, you will surely avenge your father's death. There is one thing I must tell you before you leave. These tests I've been giving you are lies. Your father never did these tests. I did this because I didn't want you to end up like your father.
SON: There was no need for this! I thank you for your concern, but I was fine. I was and still am ready to destroy the White Tiger.
INNKEEPER: Well, here are some rice balls for your journey through the Kumgang Mountains.
SON:
Thanks for everything. Bye.
NARRATOR:
The boy traveled through the mountains, one day on his journey he met an old woman.
OLD WOMAN:
Could you spare an extra rice ball for me?
SON: Why, sure.
OLD WOMAN:
We don't see many strangers this deep into these mountains. What brings you here?
NARRATOR:
The boy explained to the old woman about how long it took for him to get here, and how long he had trained.
OLD WOMAN:
Forget about shooting the terrible White Tiger. He is too quick! As soon as the White Tiger desires to pounce, his next prey is gone. From one day to the next, we never know whether we are going to survive to see the next day. You are a young man. You ought best to leave these mountains at once and go back home while you're still alive!
SON:
No, I will not be persuaded to leave! I have practiced for so many years for me to go back. I will destroy the White Tiger!
OLD WOMAN: Well, if you are so sure, then you should know that the only way to shoot the White Tiger is to shoot him when all you see is but a white dot on the horizon. If you wait a single moment too late, or if you miss your first shot, believe me, all will be lost for you.
NARRATOR:
The old woman left. The boy waited for hours and days for the dot to appear over the horizon. One day there was a dot. The son shot the dot and raced toward the other side of the mountain, with his heart pounding, to see if the White Tiger was slain. It was dead!
SON:
Finally the White Tiger has been killed! All my hard work has paid off!
NARRATOR:
The White Tiger was as nearly as big as a mountain itself. It had collapsed with its mouth open, ready to swallow its next prey--him. The boy went into the White Tiger and into the stomach. He saw people, and other mysterious paths leading off to other mysterious places. He also saw an unconscious girl huddled in a heap. The boy went over to the girl and held her until she awoke.
GIRL:
I thank you with all my heart. I owe you my life. Last night I was stolen from the White Tiger when I was washing my hair on the veranda.
NARRATOR:
The boy and girl heard another voice, which seemed to be a old man's voice. They went over to the old man to find out that it was the boy's father.
SON:
Is that you, father?
FATHER:
Why, yes! I have missed you and your mother for such a long time.
NARRATOR: The father and son hugged out of happiness. The girl, son, and father exited the White Tiger. The boy skinned a part of the White Tiger to show people about the amazing feat he had accomplished. All three of them returned home to the village.
MOTHER:
Oh my! My husband and son returned! Thank goodness. I have waited for this for a lifetime.
NARRATOR:
The family hugged and talked about what had happened during the time they were separated. The son took the maiden to her in the capital city. Her father cried tears of joy to see his daughter returning safe and sound. In gratitude, her father welcomed the young man into his family by letting him become his daughter's husband, also to be an heir to his name and fortune. The son's mother and father proudly attended their son's wedding day. The son and his bride lived happily ever after in the grand mansion of the king's highest advisor.