The Tiger's Whisker

10 pages · 3 min · ages 5+

Based on: Korean Folk Tale

Yun Ok was very happy today. Her husband finally came home. He was away for a long time. But he looked very sad now. He missed his old home. Yun Ok wanted to help him.

She climbed the high green mountain. A wise hermit lived there. He was old and very kind. Yun Ok told him her story. "I need a special potion," she said. He nodded his head very slowly. He wanted to help her too.

"I can make a potion," he said. "But I need one thing first." He needed a tiger's whisker. The whisker must be from a live tiger. Yun Ok felt a little bit afraid. A tiger was big and strong. But she loved her husband dearly.

Yun Ok found a deep cave. A majestic tiger lived inside. He had bright orange fur. His black stripes were very bold. Yun Ok brought a bowl of rice. She left it far away. She watched from behind a tree.

She went back the next day. She moved the bowl an inch. The tiger ate the yummy food. He looked at her with big eyes. Yun Ok stayed still behind a tree. She did not make a sound. Each day she moved even closer.

Many weeks passed by slowly. The tiger grew very calm. He waited for her every morning. Yun Ok spoke in a soft voice. She told him about her day. The tiger flicked his long tail. They were becoming very good friends.

One day, she sat very close. The tiger let out a purr. She reached out her small hand. She gently touched his soft chin. Then she plucked one long whisker. The tiger did not mind at all. Yun Ok thanked him with a smile.

She ran back to the hermit. "I have the whisker!" she cried. The hermit took the white whisker. He threw it into the fire. Yun Ok was very surprised. The whisker turned into gray smoke. She felt very confused right now.

"Listen closely now," the hermit said. "You tamed a wild, brave tiger." You were slow and very kind. You waited many days and nights. Use that same love at home. Your husband needs your time too. Yun Ok understood the secret.

Yun Ok went home to stay. She was soft and very sweet. Her husband felt much better soon. He started to smile and laugh. Sometimes they visited the big tiger. They brought him rice and meat. Love and time fixed everything.