The Sheaf of Rice Forever Living in My Mind

By Kim See-bong

This story is more than 50 years old. A half a century ago, this country was suffering greatly from the destruction of the Korean War. I was only seven years old. On a cold winter day, something so touching occurred to me, and the deep emotion that captivated me has lasted throughout my life and part of my normal life.

My father was a poor farmer. As far as I can remember, my family was very poor, the poorest in the village. Despite such poverty, my parents were so education-minded that he sold even the small shack we lived in and the tiny paddy field required for our subsistence. With the money he sent his one son and two daughters to colleges in Seoul. Such parental zeal for their children's education was really exceptional at that time and even so by today's standards. The motto of my parents was that only education can raise a good family.

The event that was brought home to me occurred when my brother was studying in Seoul. My brother returned home once or twice a year. To my family, especially for my father, his home-coming was the biggest event. I remember it was one cold winter day and the vacation ending, my brother was about to return to Seoul.

My father prepared a small sheaf of rice and holding it in his arms, he left for somewhere. Thinking it rather strange, I followed him. He was heading towards the mill a few blocks away from my house. The mill also served as a bus stop in the village. My father was going to the bus stop to prepare for my brother's departure. Probably, to buy a bus ticket, I thought.

However, my father put the sheaf on the ground and trod upon it. Thinking it even stranger, I asked my father what he was doing. His reply really touched the naive heart of this seven year old boy. My father said, ``I am warming up the sheaf before your brother comes so he can stand upon it while waiting for the bus and not catch a cold."

Upon seeing that, something beyond words surged in my heart. I was really proud of my father. I was the wealthiest boy in the world to have such a father.

Since then I grew up always feeling proud of my family and dreaming of becoming a good father like him who could be respected by his children as much as my father was by me.

Yesterday, I was on top of the world when I came to know that my son was admitted to Harvard University, and was on cloud nine when my son called me in a trembling and touching voice, ``Dad, thank you. I owe you, mom and dad, for everything that I am."

I was the happiest I could be, and reflected upon the sheaf of rice my father carried to warm up the ground for my older brother. For I have continued to live under the same motto that my father had ― education is above all.

Now in the latter part of my life, I realized anew that I owe what I am to the symbol of that tiny sheaf of rice. The sheaf warmed by my father's feet to keep his son's feet warm while waiting for the bus still warms me and my children and remains a great lesson for me as well. This is love and it is the foundation of a new family of high esteem being born. We are creating a family history and of this I am proud.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1296521&forum_id=1#14846986)

Trite and unremarkable.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1296521&forum_id=1#14921242)