In ancient Korea, beneath the shimmering waves of the East Sea, there stood a magnificent underwater palace ruled by the Dragon King. His halls glowed with jade pillars and pearl lanterns, and sea creatures from distant waters bowed in respect whenever he passed. Though powerful, the Dragon King suddenly fell gravely ill one season. His court physicians swam in circles of worry, consulting ancient scrolls and sea-weed manuscripts. At last they discovered the cause of his sickness. Only the liver of a rabbit could cure him, for its warmth and vitality were believed to restore balance to his watery body.
The Dragon King was dismayed, for rabbits lived only on land, far from the reach of his ocean domain. He spoke to his loyal servant, a wise old turtle who had served him for many years. The turtle suggested that he could venture to the human world and persuade a rabbit to come willingly. Though slow of movement, he was known for his patience and honesty, and he believed he could earn the trust of any creature he met.
The turtle made the long journey upward, swimming through rising beams of sunlight until he reached the shore. There he crawled carefully onto the warm sand and made his way toward the forest. He soon found a lively rabbit nibbling tender shoots of grass. The turtle introduced himself politely and told the rabbit about the underwater palace, describing its wonders in great detail. He spoke of sparkling corals, dancing fish, and treasures hidden in the deep. The rabbit listened with fascination, imagining the beauty of a world he had never seen. When the turtle invited him to visit the palace as an honored guest, the rabbit eagerly agreed.
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The turtle carried the rabbit on his back as they swam beneath the waves. At first the rabbit felt frightened, but soon he grew amazed by the colorful fish that surrounded him and the floating seaweed gardens swaying like living curtains. Eventually they reached the Dragon King’s grand palace, and the rabbit was welcomed with ceremonial drums and delighted cheers from the underwater creatures. But as he entered deeper into the palace, he overheard whispers among the courtiers. They spoke of the Dragon King’s illness and the cure that required a rabbit’s liver. A chill ran through the rabbit’s body as the truth became clear. He had not been invited out of friendship. He had been brought as a remedy.
The Dragon King soon appeared, weak but hopeful, and asked that the rabbit present its liver. The rabbit quickly composed himself. He bowed respectfully and spoke in a calm voice. He explained that while a rabbit’s liver was indeed marvelous, he had left his at home. He told them that rabbits must remove their livers when they go out to play, so that the organ does not get injured during jumping and running. The underwater creatures gasped in surprise, never having set foot on land and unable to question his strange custom. The turtle looked embarrassed, realizing he had never noticed such a thing before.
The rabbit continued speaking with confidence. He said he would happily return to land and fetch his liver for the Dragon King. Since he had been treated with such honor as a palace guest, he felt it only proper to bring back the finest liver he had. The Dragon King, desperate for a cure, agreed at once. The turtle carried the rabbit back to the surface, feeling relieved that the problem had been solved.
As soon as they reached the shore, the rabbit leapt off the turtle’s back and raced toward the forest. He turned once to look at the bewildered turtle and called out that no living creature could remove its own liver. He told the turtle to return home and warn the Dragon King that cleverness can never be trapped by force. The turtle felt a deep sense of shame, knowing he had been tricked but also admiring the rabbit’s quick thinking.
The rabbit returned to his peaceful life on land, more cautious but also proud of his wit. Deep beneath the sea, the Dragon King realized he had been outsmarted. Though disappointed, he could not help but respect the rabbit’s bravery. Over time, he learned to seek cures through other means instead of trickery. Some say that the Dragon King’s illness eventually faded, not through the consumption of a liver, but through a change of heart.
And so the tale spread across the land, reminding people that cleverness and quick thinking can overcome even the most powerful of forces.
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Moral Lesson
Wisdom and quick thinking can protect one from danger, even when facing those far stronger or more powerful.
Knowledge Check
- Why did the Dragon King become ill?
Answer: He suffered from an illness that the court believed could only be healed by a rabbit’s liver. - Which servant did the Dragon King send to find a rabbit?
Answer: A loyal and wise old turtle. - How did the turtle persuade the rabbit to visit the underwater palace?
Answer: By describing its beauty and inviting the rabbit as an honored guest. - How did the rabbit discover the true reason he had been brought to the palace?
Answer: He overheard the courtiers whispering about needing a rabbit’s liver to cure the king. - What clever lie did the rabbit tell to escape?
Answer: He claimed he had left his liver at home and must go back to retrieve it. - What lesson did the turtle and the Dragon King learn after the rabbit escaped?
Answer: They learned that intelligence can overcome strength and that trickery often fails in the end.
Source
Adapted from Korea University Old Literature Digital Library, 2013.
Cultural Origin
Korean panregional animal folklore.
