2025 Sejong Writing Competition
Winning Entries :: Essays :: Junior third place
Title: The Echoes of Compassion
The traditional Korean folktale "The Ox and Goblin" depicts the story of courageous Dowlse, who rescues a peculiar goblin through his firm humanity, granting comfort and faith to the hopeless creature. Yi Sang illustrates how fulfilling one’s duties and embracing altruism has the power to reshape lives; through extending his compassion to the most vulnerable, Dowlse becomes a beacon of hope for the goblin.
In a remote mountain village, Dowlse cherishes his ox as his “most prized possession,” dedicating himself to their shared livelihood of selling wood. One winter evening, the ox and Dowlse encounter a mountain fairy that implores their help. Unfortunately, the animal’s tail is impaired due to a violent incident with a vicious dog. The creature elucidates to Dowlse that his tail will be healed if he lives in the ox’s stomach for two months, and he promises he will grant the ox profound strength in return. Despite the ambiguity behind the creature’s proposition, Dowlse decides to rescue the creature, giving it consoling assurance. Dowlse’s ability to extend his compassion to the goblin despite societal prejudices symbolizes the triumph of empathy over fear and preconception.
In the following weeks, the ox underwent an incredible transformation, becoming more conditioned, resilient, and athletic, initiating prosperity in the marketplace. Dowlse’s natural compassion and firm sense of duty motivated him to care for the ox diligently; therefore, when he witnessed the ox bloom, he overflowed with pride and fulfillment. Similarly, in today’s society, when we unconditionally care for friends without abandoning them in their darkest moments, we feel a sense of honor in their achievements.
Spring brought a critical challenge when the ox’s mysteriously expanding belly threatened its well-being. The overfed goblin, now too large to exit, could only escape through the ox’s yawning mouth. Dowlse attempted various methods to make the ox yawn but was unsuccessful. He despaired as he knew that his companion who had helped him every day would be gone soon. Fortunately, the ox yawned in unconscious mimicry to the one person who had been a firm pillar of strength for him, who never deflected from his loyalty to him: Dowlse. The goblin creature immediately escaped and showed gratitude to Dowlse for his heroic acts in the forest.
Dowlse’s compassionate deed toward the goblin, whom others might have scorned as worthless, emphasizes how kindness can bring unexpected rewards and change both the helper and helped. His altruism, motivated by candid compassion rather than potential profit, exemplifies the story’s message about the treasure of genuine kindness.
"The Ox and the Goblin" was written to underscore the moral principle that outreach to the vulnerable always leaves a lasting impact that not only assists the disadvantaged but adds to the giver’s moral pride. Dowlse choosing to save the goblin not only changed the goblin’s life, but also enabled Dowlse to reinforce that “even if it’s not a goblin but a ghost, when it needs help, we must help it and save its life.” The folktale employs the unique contrast between the goblin’s grotesque appearance and its genuine need for help. Dowlse noticed that the creature, just like anyone, needed a helping hand–illustrating the theme of looking beyond surface level judgement to extend goodwill.
In this folktale, I resonate with the protagonist the most through his sense of duty. Dowlse's assistance for the creature emerged from his heart of genuine empathy, showing the depth of his humanity rather than any sense of obligation. His selfless acts reflect my family's moral lessons, representing the values of acceptance and the fact that kindness has no boundaries or terms. Following his example, I look for ways to help the needy, such as when I volunteered at a local shelter this year despite the initial discomfort or when I signed up for tutoring my peers.
If I was the author of this folktale, I would explore the ox’s perspective as it would add psychological depth to the narrative, revealing the complex emotional dimensions of a character often viewed only through its physical strength. Through the ox’s transformation, Yi Sang crafts a complex symbol that represents not only loyalty and perseverance, but also the potential for growth and unexpected blessings of sacrifice. However, the story could be enriched by examining the ox’s internal struggle between its sense of autonomy and its role in helping others, adding a insightful layer to the tale’s moral considerations. Furthermore, I would expand on the tale’s central irony that lies in the transformation of burden into blessing, since the ox’s uncomfortable role as host ultimately leads to growth. These slight changes would enable the ox to be more meaningful in the story, more resonant, and would make the story more intellectually rich.
Ultimately, through the interweaving of symbolism, characterization, and moral choice, Yi Sang crafts a powerful meditation on the transformative power of compassion and the triumph of inner beauty over superficial preconception. Dowlse has spotlighted that in a world that often seeks self-gain, the real fulfillment of giving is for the sake of giving, not reciprocity. I have learned that what exemplifies true virtue in life is rather than giving to others to make a scene that stems from self-gain, I shall value those quiet heartfelt acts that, while unseen by others, resonate most powerfully within our hearts.