2025 Sejong Writing Competition
Winning Entries :: Essays :: Junior first place
Title: Ox and Goblin
In our modern society, where individualism and self-interest often take precedence, the value of kindness and mutual support can sometimes feel like a relic of simpler times. We live in an era where people are increasingly isolated, despite being more connected than ever through technology, and where helping strangers is often viewed with skepticism rather than compassion. Yet, stories throughout history have reminded us of the transformative power of kindness and the unexpected ways that helping others can enrich our own lives. One such tale that beautifully illustrates these timeless themes is "Ox and Goblin" by Yi Sang.
The folktale centers on Dolswe, a solitary woodcutter who lives a simple life with his beloved ox. His isolation and contentment with his modest existence make him an interesting choice for an encounter with the supernatural. When he meets the injured goblin child on a cold winter evening, the story presents its central moral dilemma: whether to help a strange creature despite the potential risks. This moment serves as the catalyst for the entire narrative, challenging readers to consider what they would do in a similar situation.
One day, as Dolswe and his ox make their regular journey to town to sell the firewood, they are interrupted by a strange encounter. A small, black creature with "long limbs, upright ears, and a tail" suddenly appears, revealing itself to be a goblin child. The goblin child, in a desperate plea for help, interrupts Dolswe's routine, setting the stage for an unexpected interaction between the two very different beings. In this moment, Dolswe's heart was filled with a deep sense of compassion and wonder. Despite the strangeness of the encounter, he felt an overwhelming urge to help the goblin child, to offer it shelter and protection from the unknown dangers that lurked. So, with a gentle reverence, Dolswe hid the creature within the ox's belly, safeguarding it from harm.
As the narrative progresses, the goblin child demonstrates its own resourcefulness, devising a plan to enhance the ox's strength, allowing it to carry heavier loads with greater ease. This collaborative effort between the goblin, the ox, and Dolswe highlights the potential for unexpected alliances and the ability to overcome initial differences through mutual understanding and cooperation. It also delves into the concept of cross-cultural understanding as Dolswe and the goblin child navigate their initial wariness and suspicion of one another. Through their gradual interaction and the sharing of personal stories, the two characters begin to see each other's humanity, ultimately finding common ground and a mutual appreciation for each other's unique qualities.
Among the characters in the tale, I find myself relating mostly to the ox. As someone who often finds myself in a supporting role, the ox’s silent strength particularly moves me. The text shows how the ox accepts its unusual burden without complaint, even as the goblin child grows inside it, causing increasing discomfort. This mirrors my own experiences of supporting others through their challenges, sometimes at personal cost, yet finding that such sacrifices often lead to growth.
Despite the story's many strengths, a deeper exploration of Dolswe's backstory would enrich the narrative. Understanding what shaped Dolswe's solitary lifestyle would make his compassionate choice more meaningful by contrasting it with possible past disappointments. Similarly, expanding on how the village community responds to the ox's transformation could offer valuable commentary on contemporary society. Just as some villagers marveled at the ox's strength while others tried to purchase it, modern communities often respond to extraordinary circumstances with a mixture of wonder, skepticism, and attempts to commodify the unusual—patterns we see daily in social media's amplification of both connection and judgment. This would help readers reflect on how kindness and strange situations are received in today's complex social landscape, without sacrificing the story's essential charm and straightforward style that allows its moral lessons to emerge naturally rather than feeling preachy.
Yi Sang crafted this tale for an audience grappling with questions of trust, compassion, and the rewards of helping others. The story's particular resonance comes from its celebration of kindness without ignoring the risks and challenges involved. Dolswe's final reflection captures this perfectly: "Even if it's not a goblin but a ghost, when it needs help, we must help it and save its life." This sentiment speaks powerfully to contemporary readers facing their own decisions about extending help to others in an increasingly impersonal world.
Through masterful storytelling that balances supernatural elements with deeply human emotions, "Ox and Goblin" delivers its moral without feeling didactic. Instead, it shows how Dolswe's life becomes richer not just through material gain - his ox's enhanced strength - but through the experience of helping another being in need, even when that help carries risk and uncertainty.