[One Sip of a Book] The Story of a Carpenter Who Loves the Cello

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader’s heart, creating a connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books.

This is a heartfelt talk told by a linguist. It conveys warm stories about trees, words, and music. Through the life of a ‘cellist carpenter,’ it reflects on the meanings of things one might encounter or experience in everyday life.

Playing the cello alone in an empty space without an audience and blowing a horn by myself, finding satisfaction in solitude, is enjoyable. Occasionally playing with friends, even if we don’t always match well, is also happiness, and being able to accompany someone’s singing when the mood rises at a gathering is a great joy. As a soul that has grown dry, interacting with complete strangers in a virtual space is a new vitality in life. If the life of a ‘cellist carpenter,’ which is a ‘sub-character,’ can support the life of the ‘main character’ called teacher or writer, then living as a cellist carpenter is more than enough reason. (From The Cellist Carpenter, p. 27)

Thanks to the 80% of trees considered useless and regarded as undergrowth, 20% of trees are valued as worthy trees. Without the 80% of trees that are made into fake wood or paper or used as firewood, even the 20% of trees might be used differently. Thanks to 80% of furniture made from fake wood, furniture made from 20% of real wood can be created. Seen this way, undergrowth is never just undergrowth. It may be undergrowth to those who see trees only for special purposes, but from the perspective of all of us, it is useful wood. (From Thanks to the Real Fake, p. 59)

This way of loving is named ‘Jangbu’ love. Like the Jangbu joint, which fits perfectly only after cutting and carving, it is defined as a love that makes space for the other person by removing parts of oneself so that the two become one. (…) The most primitive joint, Jangbu, which can be processed with just a saw and chisel, lasts forever as long as it is not deliberately broken, staying together until the end. Even if time passes and it decays, or if it is accidentally thrown into fire, they perish together. (From Jangbu Love, p. 82)

Dream-Capturing Workshop | Written by Han Seongwoo | Parole & | 288 pages | 17,000 KRW