[One Thousand Characters a Day] I Decided to Walk Following Plants <1>

Editor's NoteAuthor of ＜Five Minutes of Green a Day＞ and botanical illustrator of ＜Hermann Hesse's Trees＞ and ＜Our Tree Name Dictionary＞, botanical artist Han Sujeong published this book in 2021. It is an essay that captures her journey of finding life's path through encounters with plants. Listening to the author's calm yet delicate communication with nature, one can feel how much joy and comfort a single tree in front of the house, various flora and fauna met in the forest, and crops cultivated in the garden bring us. The 36 beautiful illustrations and leaf and insect stamps appearing throughout the book bring the wonder of nature even closer. Word count: 1053.

As the busy energy of spring changes into the scorching sunlight of summer, the leaves have already turned a deep green. They are no longer tender and soft but have become somewhat firm and mature, ready to work hard for the tree's survival. Among the leaves' season, some trees that are naturally fond of summer bloom flowers under the intense sunlight. These include the vibrant yellow flowers of the Chinese scholar tree (Mogamjunamu), the pale yellow flowers of the pagoda tree (Hoihwanamu), and the beautiful pink flowers of the crape myrtle (Baerongnamu). Perhaps because the flowers bloom among healthy green leaves, they appear even more abundant than spring flowers.

Trees that finished their floral festival early in spring quietly prepare for the next task among the dense leaves. That is to bear fruit. If you carefully look between the thick branches, you can catch a glimpse of small seeds at the base of the calyx, a tiny and subtle presence easily missed. Having never seen fruit ripen before, this small entity becomes my number one subject of observation throughout the summer.

Summer is both the season of leaves and the time to nurture fruit. While some trees like cherry trees are diligent and produce and drop their fruit early before summer arrives, most trees bear and fatten their fruit during the summer. This is the time to pay attention to how the uniquely structured fruits of each tree begin and mature. White fruits hang on the white hornbeam (Huinmalchaenamu), blue fruits on the wild grape (Saemeoru), and purple fruits on the spindle tree (Jaksalnamu), creating a rich palette of colors. The color changes shown as the young fruits, starting light green, ripen confirm the living, moving colors of nature. They never stay still but continuously change, a true sign of life. The fruits shine like jewels, capturing attention throughout the summer.

(Omitted)

Choosing one and slowly drawing it on white paper, I could clearly see how the fruits were arranged, what their surfaces felt like, and how the stems connected. Once drawn, the subject was never forgotten but etched deeply in my heart. Wherever I met them again, I could instantly recognize and greet them. In the quiet daily routine of drawing alone, unfamiliar trees gradually became familiar and friendly beings, and by the end of summer, they all felt like close friends.

- Han Sujeong, ＜I Decided to Walk Following Plants＞, Hyunamsa, 15,000 KRW