[One Thousand Characters a Day] Kim Sang-yong, Jeongwon

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides daily 1,000-character transcription content for readers of the ‘One Thousand Characters a Day’ newsletter. The transcription content is carefully selected according to daily and monthly themes from Eastern and Western classics, Korean literature, notable columns, and famous speeches. Today's content is by poet Kim Sang-yong. Character count: 726.

Photo by Asia Economy

When I step out onto the street, the shabby state of my home is overshadowed by the overly arrogant old mansion that disturbs my view. At such times, while feeling intimidated, I paradoxically belittle that grandiose bulk and take pride in my frugality. However, the scent of a low, modest house belongs to others, and when it is accompanied by a neat courtyard, my heart changes, and I cannot help but suddenly feel envy. Perhaps my love and longing for gardens is the fate of a city-born person like me.

Yet, the relationship between the courtyard and life is so intimate that loving and yearning for it might be a natural human trait. Calling the home a refuge in life and linking the house and courtyard seems to carry some profound meaning. A house without a courtyard can, in fact, be more desolate than even internal family discord.

If there is a spacious courtyard with several old trees standing, a thousand stones of moss, and flowers planted alongside, there may be no greater wealth a person can enjoy. But how could one hope for such great fortune? Even having just three pyeong (approximately 9.9 square meters) of courtyard in front is enough to enjoy for a lifetime. By planting clove and cornelian cherry trees in one pyeong, one can savor the fragrant breeze of May, and by cultivating chrysanthemums in half a pyeong, one can leisurely observe others.

In the remaining half pyeong, I would definitely grow lettuce, crown daisy, and scallions. During a half-day of fortune, after washing away the sweat of work, how luxuriously one can enjoy cold rice and the delicacy of chili paste. Since the advancement of a three-pyeong garden can be enjoyed in each home, I hold the sincere belief?not a vain one?that it can guarantee resistance against the crimes and corruption of this world. Thus, facing the season when forsythia blooms, I boldly advocate the theory of the three-pyeong garden.