Music Welcome to Snuescast, a podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us on snuescast.com and follow us on Instagram at snuescast to find behind the scenes content. If you enjoy our show, please write a review on the Apple Podcast app. Please know that we read and appreciate every single one. This episode is brought to you by our Patreon supporters and by Spinning Silk. Tonight, we'll read a story called Chiron, the dancing maiden taken from the book Korean Folktales written by Im Bang and translated to English by James Gale and published in 1913. Im Bang was born in 1640, the son of a provincial governor. He was a great scholar and a disciple of one of Korea's first famed writers. When he was 80 years old, he became governor of Seoul and held other high cabinet positions as well. In 1722, he played a part in a disturbance of the government and was exiled to North Korea. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. Along A long time ago, one of Korea's noted men became governor of Pyong-N province. Pyong-N was first of all provinces in the attainments of high class and polite society. It was full of literary, good musicians, and effective politicians. At the time of this story, there was a famous dancing girl in Pyong-An whose name was Chiran. She was very beautiful and sang and danced to the delight of all beholders. Her ability, too, was specially marked, for she understood the classics and was acquainted with history. The brightest of all the gaysha she was, famous and far renowned.

The governor's family consisted of a son whose age was 16 and whose face was comely as a picture. Though so young, he was thoroughly grounded in Chinese and was a gifted scholar. His judgment was excellent and he had a fine fine appreciation of literary form so that the moment he lifted his pen, the written line, took on admirable expression. His name became known as Kidong, the gifted lad. The governor had no other children, neither son nor daughter, so his heart was wrapped up in this boy. On his birthday he had all the officials invited and other special guests who came to drink his health. Here we present also a company of dancing girls and a large band of musicians. The governor, during a lull in the banquet, called his son to him and ordered the chief of the dancing girls to choose one of the prettiest of their number, that he and she might dance together and delight the assembled guests. On hearing this, the company called for Chiron, as the one suited by her talents, attainments, to be the most fitting partner for his son.

They came out and danced like fairies, graceful as the wavings of the willow, light and airy as a swallow, all who saw them were charmed. The governor, too, greatly pleased.

Culture onto him.

Had her sit on the dais, treated her to a share in the banquet, gave her a present of silk, and commanded that from that day forth she be the special dancing maiden to attend upon his son. From this birthday forth they became fast friends together. They thought the world of each other, more than all the delightful stories of history was their love, such as had never been seen. The governor's term of office was extended for six years more, and so they remained in the North Country. Finally, at the time of return, he and his wife were in great anxiety over their son being separated from Charan.

If they were forced to separate them, they feared he would die of a broken heart. If they took her with them, she not being his wife. They feared for his reputation. They could not possibly decide, so they decided to refer the matter to the Son himself. They called him and said, Even parents cannot decide as to the love of their Son for a maiden. What ought we to do? You love Chiron so that it will be very hard for you to part, and yet to love a lowly dancing girl, especially that you're not married to, it's not good form, and will interfere with your marriage prospects with proper ladies, and with social promotion of course. However, you could consider having two wives since it is a common custom here and one that the world recognizes, due as you think best in the matter. The sun replied, this will be easy. When she is before my eyes, of course, she is my everything. But when the time comes for me to start for home, she'll be like a pair of worn shoes, set aside. So please don't be anxious. The governor and his wife were greatly delighted and said he was a superior man indeed. When the time came to part, Tyron cried bitterly so that those standing by could not bear to look at her, but the sun showed not the slightest sign of emotion Those looking on were filled with wonder at his fortitude. Although he had already loved Charan for six years, he had never been separated from her for a single day. So he knew not what it meant to say goodbye. Did he know how it felt to be parted. The governor returned to Seoul to fill the office of Chief Justice, and the sun came also. After this return, thoughts of love for Chiron possessed Kidong, though he never expressed them in word or manner, it was almost the time of the big student examination. The father, therefore, ordered his son to go with some of his friends to a neighboring monastery to study and prepare. They went and one night, after the day's work was over and all were asleep. The young man stole out into the courtyard. It was winter with frost and snow and a cold, clear moon. The mountains were deep and the world was quiet so that the slightest sound could be heard. The young man looked up at the moon, and his thoughts were full of sorrow. He so wished to see Chiron that he could no longer control himself, and fearing that he would lose his reason, he decided that very night to set out for far distant, young Anne. He had on a fur head dress, a thick coat, a leather belt, and a heavy pair of shoes. And he had gone less than ten miles, however, his feet were blistered, and he had to go into a neighboring village and change his leather shoes for straw sandals, and his expensive head cover for an ordinary servant's hat. He went on thus this way, begging as he went. He was often very hungry, and when night came was very, very cold. He was a rich man's son, and had always dressed in silk, and eaten dainty fair, and had never in his life walked more than a few feet from his father's door. Now, there lay before him a journey of hundreds of miles. He went stumbling along through the snow, making but poor progress. Hungry and frozen nearly to death, he had never known such suffering before. His clothes were torn and his face became worn down and blackened till he looked like a goblin. Still on he went, little by little, day after day, till it last, when a whole month had gone by. He reached Pyongan.. Straight to Chiron's home he went, but Chiron was not there, only her mother. She looked at him, but did not recognize him. He said he was the former governor's son and that that out of love for Chiron, he had walked 500 miles. Where is she? He asked. The mother heard, but instead of being pleased, was very angry. She said, My daughters now with the son of the new governor, and I never see her at all. She never comes home. She's been away for two or three months, even though you've made this long journey, there is no possible way to meet her. She did not invite him in, so cold was her welcome. He thought to himself, I came to see Tron, but she's not here. Her mother refuses me. I cannot go back, and I cannot stay. What shall I do? Thus in this dilemma a plan occurred to him.

There was a scribe in Pyongyang, who, during his father's term of office, got in trouble but was saved by Kedong. But at first this writer did not recognize him. When he gave his name and told who he was, the scribe gave a great start and fell at his feet, making obeisance. He cleared out an inner room and made him comfortable, prepared dainty fair, and treated him with all respect.

A little later, he talked over with his host the possibility of his meeting, Charon.

The scribe said,

I'm afraid that there's no way for you to meet her alone,

but if you would like to see even her face, I think I can manage it. Will you consent?" He asked us to the plan. It was this. It being now a time of snow, daily laborers were called to sweep it away from the inner court of the governor's residence. And just now, the scribe was in charge of this particular work. Said he, if he will join the sweepers, take a broom and go in, he will no doubt catch a glimpse of Jaron as she is said to be in the hill-key-osk, I know of no other plan. Kidong consented. In the early morning he mixed with the company of sweepers and went with his broom into the inner enclosure where the hill-key-osk was, and so they worked at sweeping. Just then, the governor's son was sitting by the open window, and Charan was by him, but not visible from the outside. The other workers, being all practiced hands, swept well. Heong alone handled his broom to no advantage, knowing not how to sweep. The governor's son, watching the process, looked out and laughed, called Chiron and invited her to see this sweeper. Charon stepped out into the open hall and the sweeper raised his eyes to see. She glanced at him but once and but for a moment, then turned quickly, went into the room and shut the door, not appearing again to the disappointment of the sweeper who came back into spare to the scribes house. Jaron was first of all a wise and highly gifted woman. Look look had told her who the sweeper was. She came back into the room and began to cry. The governor's son looked in surprise and displeasure and asked, why do you cry? She did not reply at once, but after two or three insistent demands told the reason thus, I am a low-class woman. You are mistaken in thinking highly of me, recounting me of worth. Already I have not been home for two whole months and more, but still I think of my mother and my home and how poor she is. It's customary on the anniversary of my father's death to prepare food from the official quarters and offer a sacrifice to his spirit. Here I am imprisoned, and tomorrow is the sacrificial day. I fear that not a single act of devotion will be paid. I am disturbed over it, and that's why I cry." The governor's son was so taken in by this fair statement that he trusted her fully and without question. Sympathetically he asked, why do you tell me before? He prepared the food and told her to hurry home and carry out the ceremony. So, Jon came like a flaming fire back to her house and said to her mother, «Kidong has come and I have seen him. Is he not here? Tell me where he is if you know». The mother said, he came here.

It's true, all the way on foot to see you, but I told him that you were in the Covener's palace, that there was no possible way for you to meet, so he went away, and where he is, I know not." and she ran broke down and began to cry.

Home, my mother, why have you the heart to do? not. Then, Charan broke down and began to cry,

home my mother, why have you the heart to do so cruelly, she sobbed. As far as I'm concerned, I can never break with him nor give him up. Could my heart be other than broken? And The great flow of tears came from Tyron's eyes.

She thought and thought as to where he could be. I know of no place, said she, unless it be at that scribe's home. Quick as thought she flew then, and and there they met. They claffed each other

and cried. Not a word was spoken. When it was night, Turan said, When tomorrow comes, we shall have to part.

What shall we do?"

They talked it over and agreed to make their escape that night. So, Charon got together her clothing and her treasures and jewels and made two bundles and thus, he carrying his on his back and she hers on her head, away they went while the city slept. They followed the roads that leans towards the mountains. There they found a country house where they put up and where the governor's son became a sort of better class servant. He did not know how to do anything well, but Tyran understood weaving and sewing, and so they lived. After some time, they got a little thatched hut by themselves in the village and lived there.

Turan was a beautiful sewing woman and ceased not day and night to ply her needle and sold her treasures and her jewels to make ends meet. Turan, too, knew how to make friends and was praised and loved by all the village.

Everybody felt sorry for the hard times that had been falling this mysterious young couple and helped them so that the days passed peacefully and happily together. to return in the story on awakening in the morning in the temple where he and his friends had gone to study, they found Kidong missing. Always in a state of confusion as to what had become of the son of the chief justice. They hunted for him far and wide, but he was nowhere to be found, so word was sent to the parents accordingly. There was untold consternation in the home of the former governor, So great a loss. What could equal it? They searched the country about the temple, but no trace or shadow of him was to be found. The parents decided that he was dead and went into morning for him, burning his clothing in a sacrificial fire. In Pyongan, the current governor's son, when he found that he had lost Chiron, had Chiron's mother imprisoned and all the relatives. But after a month or so, when the search proved futile, he gave up the matter and let them go. Jaron, at last happy with her chosen one, said one day to him, you, a son of the gentry, For the sake of a dancing girl, have given up parents and home to live in this hidden corner of the hills. They ought to know. We cannot live here all our lives. Neither can we return home. What do you think we ought to do? Key Dong made a hopeless reply. "'I am in distress,' said he, and no not.' Jarran said brightly. "'I have a plan by which we can cover over our faults of the past, and when a new start for the future. By means of it, you can serve your parents and look the world in the face. Will you consent? What do you propose? As he, her reply was, there is only one way, and that is by means of the official examination. I know of no other." He said, "...Enough. Your plan is just the thing to help us out. But how can I get hold of the books I need?" your unreplied. don't be anxious about that. I'll get the books. From that day forth, she sent through all the neighborhood for books to be secured at all costs. But there were fewer none, it being a mountain village. One day there came by, all unexpectedly, a pack-pedalor, who had in his bundle a book that he wished to sell. Some of the village people wanted to buy it for wallpaper. Iran, however, secured it first and showed it to Kidong. It was none other than a special work for examinations with all the exercises written out. It was written in small characters and was a huge book containing several thousand exercises. Kidong was delighted and said, this is enough for all needed preparation. She bought it and gave it to him, and there he pegged away day after day. In the night he studied by candlelight while she sat by his side and did silk spinning. Thus they shared the light together. Thus they worked for two years. To begin with, he, being a highly talented scholar, made steady advancement day by day. He was a beautiful writer and a master of the pen. His compositions, too, were without appear, and every indication pointing to his winning the highest place in the examination. At this time, a proclamation was issued that there would be a special examination held before his majesty, the king. So Tyran made ready the food required and all necessaries for him to go afoot to soul to try his hand. At last he was there, within the palace enclosure, his majesty came out into the examination arena and boasted up the the subject. Kidong took his pen and wrote his finished composition. Under the inspiration of the moment, his lines came forth like bubbling water. It was finished. When the announcement was made as to the winner, the king ordered the seal's name of the writer to be opened. It was, and they found that Kidong was first. At that time his father was Prime Minister and waiting in attendance upon the king. The king called the Prime Minister and said, "'Looks to me as though the winner was your son, but he writes that his father's chief justice and not Prime Minister. What can that mean?' He handed the composition paper to the father and asked him to look and see the minister gaze-detted and wonder, burst into tears and said, it is your servant's son. Three years ago he went with some friends to a monastery to study, but one night he disappeared, and though I searched far and wide, I had no word of him since. I concluded that he had been destroyed, so I had a funeral service and went into mourning. I have no other children. He was greatly gifted, and I lost him in this strange way.

The memory has never left me.

Now that I look at this paper, I see indeed the writing of my son.

...