SHOES for HATS
by William Elliot Griffis · from Korean Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Long, long ago, there was a Sunny Land. It was a beautiful place. The people were very clever. They were also very kind. They had many good things. They lived in pretty houses. They knew how to read. They sent kind teachers. These teachers went to the Island Land. The Island People learned much. They learned to build houses. They learned to write. The Sunny Land was rich.
The Island Queen lived in the Island Land. She saw the Sunny Land. It was rich and beautiful. The Island Queen wanted many things. She wanted their pretty things. She wanted their clever people. She wanted gold and jewels. She wanted nice clothes. She wanted all the good food. She wanted them for her land.
The Island Queen sent a helper. The helper went to the sea. He called the Big Sea Giant. The giant lived in the water. He watched the sea. The queen wanted magic jewels. The jewels made the sea move. The Big Sea Giant could help. He could ask the Dragon King. The Dragon King lived deep down.
The Big Sea Giant was a little grumpy. He growled loudly. "What do you want?" he asked. The helper told him. He asked for the magic jewels. The giant went deep down. He told the Dragon King. The king would help the queen. She would build a special house. It was for the Dragon King.
The queen waited by the sea. The water went very high. The sea opened up. A big dragon head came up. It was the Dragon King. His eyes flashed like fire. He held a big shell. Two shiny jewels were inside. He gave them to the queen. Then he went down fast.
The Island Queen had the magic jewels. She used their power. The sea water went up. The sea water went down. Her boats went to the Sunny Land. The water helped her boats move. It left the Sunny Land boats stuck. The queen went into the Sunny Land. She took many shiny things. She took many pretty things. The Sunny Land people were sad.
The Island People took many things. They took shiny gold. They took pretty jewels. They took nice clothes. They took good food to eat. They wanted clever people too. They asked artists to come. They asked craftsmen to come. They asked teachers to come. They asked people who write books. These clever people went to the island.
The clever people came to the island. They were from the Sunny Land. They taught the Island People. They taught them to build houses. They taught them to paint. They taught them to make clothes. They taught them to grow food. The Island Land became rich. The Island People learned much.
The Island People liked new things. They liked to learn. They did not make new things. They always asked for help. They asked the clever people. They asked about clothes. They asked about manners. They wanted to be like them. They wanted to be very smart.
The Island People asked a question. "What hats should we wear?" they asked. They wanted hats for big, important days. The clever people felt a little sad. They remembered their stolen gold. They remembered their pretty jewels. They remembered their lost homes. They decided to play a trick. It was a very funny trick.
The clever people had old shoes. The shoes had long strings. They gave the old shoes to the islanders. "These are very special hats," they said. "Wear them on your heads." The shoes were old and dirty. They were not really hats. But the Island People did not know.
The Island People did not know about shoes. They never wore shoes on their feet. They thought the shoes were special hats. They put the old shoes on their heads. They tied the long strings. The strings went under their chins. The shoes looked very funny. They wore them with much pride.
Even today, this is still true. The Island People wear these hats. They wear them for the good fairies. They think these are very fine hats. They think these are very special. They wear old shoes on their heads. It is a very funny sight. They still wear their shoe-hats.
Original Story
SHOES FOR HATS
Many centuries ago when Korea was named Chosen, or the Land of Morning Splendor, the island-kingdom out in the eastern sea, where the sun rises, was called The Land of the Dragon-Fly; which some foolish people call “the Devil’s Darning Needle,” because its body is so slender, its wings so wide and its eyes so big. The Koreans called these islanders “dwarfs,” because they were not tall of stature, though they were very warlike and brave. The isle men had no books or letters, and were very rude in their manners.
Therefore, many kind teachers, filled with the spirit of Great Buddha, crossed the sea, from Everlasting Great Korea, to teach these islanders politeness, and how to read and write, and to build pagodas, and temples and schools.
This is the reason why these islanders, who had no story books or writing before the coming of the Korean teachers, have no ancient history of what happened long, long ago when Korea was a great country. So the grandmothers in the islands used to tell their children the good old fairy tales, which many elderly people know by heart, and can relate without reading, thinking that the kings and queens they talked about were real people, when they were only dreams.
The islanders call their country The Land Where the Day Begins, and there are many fairies in these islands, some good, some bad.
So today, these island people make pictures in books and plays on the stage, and “movies” about these Koreans. They get up tableaux and pageants to tell how first the fairies and the King’s servants from these far off islands, long ago came to Korea. They wanted to learn politeness, how to make and wear the proper kind of clothes, and how to draw and paint, how to make pictures, how to build houses, how to dance and sing, and make music and play on instruments, how to teach and have schools. For the good fairies always like to do pretty things.
Yet instead of being grateful for what they had received from Korea, there was one of these island people, a famous woman, who was envious because she lived in a poor land while the Koreans had a rich and beautiful country. Instead of swamps and grassy plains, with plenty of wild beasts and birds, and only a few people, poor and miserable, Korea was rich in rice fields and orchards full of fruit. Flowers grew in plenty. Birds, deer, and rabbits were numerous in the mountains and the scenery was beautiful.
In the warm waters millions of fat fish swam and were easily caught. So the people had plenty of food to eat. Down along the bottom of the sea were most lovely water plants of rich colors, yellow, purple, green and white, with sea weeds, corals and sponges. In some of the sea caves lurked the giant crabs, cuttle-fish and every sort of marine monster.
Still further down, below, deeper than any line could fathom, dwelt the Dragon King of the World Under the Sea and his Queen, with genii and dragons, and all her attendant maidens. These made sweet music, and here amid the mermaids the fairies had a happy time.
These islanders had priests who went down by the seaside when the tide was low. There they called on the spirits of the deep to grant them a safe voyage, good luck, victory over the Koreans, and safe return. There they stood and watched the rippling waves as the breezes blew over the sea.
The first living thing that poked its nose above the waters was the guardian of the seashore and the tides, called the Salt Water Giant. He came up with his head all covered with clam and oyster shells, sea weed, shrimps and whatever grows in the sand or bottom of the ocean. He had to push aside hundreds of white jelly fish that bumped against him, as the clumsy old chap made his way up to the surface and then waded to the shore.
Now this giant fairy was a grumpy sort of a fellow, and seeing the Queen and her soldiers he growled out: “What do you want?”
Very politely the Queen’s messenger made a soft answer to the big fellow and begged him to announce to his master, the Dragon King of the World Under the Sea, that the Queen wished him to help her.
Would he please order all the great fish and every sea monster to go ahead and pull her ship forward?
Would he also present her with the two sparkling tide-jewels, which govern the ebb and the flood tides? If he would do so, then, in the one case her enemies might be overwhelmed. In the other case, the ships of the Koreans would be left high and dry on the shore. Then she could march through the country and get all the gold and gems, and furs and jewels, and clothes and nice things to eat, and bring them back to her own country.
With the tide jewels in her hand she could certainly conquer.
“And if you please, one thing more,” added the messenger.
“What else do you want?” growled the Salt Water Giant.
“Have your master, the Dragon King, give our queen power to capture many hundreds of the Korean artists, craftsmen, teachers, and men of books and letters. We shall make these men prisoners and bring them to our country and be civilized.”
“And what will you do in return to me and my master for all this?” roared the Salt Water Giant. His voice was like a booming cannon for he was as mad as fire.
“As soon as we get back safely to these shores, our Queen will build a temple in honor of the Dragon King. We shall burn incense to him, and our people will pay him our devotions.”
“Well then, what else?” roared the Salt Water Giant.
“There will be a shrine also dedicated to you, my lord, and we’ll get the best Korean artists to decorate it it in wave patterns, with drops of foam.”
The Salt Water Giant bowed and disappeared with a tremendous splash. Down, down, down, he went to report to his master, the Dragon King of the World Under the Sea.
It was necessary for the dignity of His Majesty, that the Queen and her soldiers should wait until flood tide; for the Dragon King never appeared except at high water. So the Queen’s servant launched her ship and waited out on the waves for the answer they hoped to get.
No sooner did the tide mark on the sea beach show that the waves had reached the highest point of flood tide, than the sea opened. The white foam curled round the Queen’s ship while all on board held their breath, to see what was coming. They knew they would soon behold a sight to make them shiver, for the great deep was mightily stirred.
First rose into view a terrible dragon’s head, on the helmet of the King. It had eyes that seemed to flash fire. Then His Majesty appeared. In a great sea shell, as big as a bushel and held in both hands, he had the two tide jewels.
These he presented to the Queen and then quickly disappeared beneath the waves. The last thing they saw was the dragon’s head, which, besides the two eyes like lightning, had teeth that could bite a boat in half, even when full of men. This monster could swallow down the whole crew in his mouth, that was as wide as a man-eating shark’s. His enormously long black moustaches were as stout as ships’ cables.
Immediately after receiving the tide jewels, the Queen of the barbarians landed on the southern coast of Korea. After a few weeks, having fought many battles with the Koreans, she made them bring to her their gold, jewels, furs, fans, rice and pretty things.
She and her people cared nothing about slaves, or common prisoners, but whenever and wherever they could find a painter, an artist, a costumer, a maker of pottery, or a man of books, or a priest, they seized and took him along. They carried over with them, to the island, a great treasure of gems, gold, ornaments and pretty clothes. They also took away many seeds of flowers and fruit trees, such as lemons, oranges, apples and pears.
In the islands to which they came, these smart men of skill and knowledge from Korea taught the islanders, who had lived like gypsies or Indians, how to build houses, palaces, and temples, to make fine clothes, to paint pictures, and to be like the Koreans and Chinese who knew all about these things. So the islands became rich in fruit, rice, grain, pagodas and temples. After this the island people wore lovely clothes, and had fine manners.
Now the islanders were great borrowers. They invented very few things themselves, but depended on their neighbors for much of what they had. So they filled both their heads and pockets from what they had brought from Korea. But they often made funny mistakes. When they wanted to learn about fine manners and fine clothes, they asked what, on solemn occasions, and in time of ceremony, they should put on their heads.
The Koreans were greatly offended at these savages from over the sea for invading their country and taking away their artists and craftsmen. So they now resolved to play a trick on the islanders.
So when men from the isles in the ocean sent a company of men to Korea and asked for caps to put on their heads, and be shown how do to things properly, the Koreans in contempt gave them their old shoes, which had strings on them to tie over their feet.
But the islanders, who loved to go about with little clothing on their backs, and usually went barefoot, did not know what these shoes were. They thought these were some kind of head-gear, hats or bonnets.
So they put them on their heads like skull caps and tied them with the white strings down under their chins. These were like tapes and held the caps on around their necks.
So to this day the islanders, when making offerings to the fairies, wear this head-gear and think their shoe-caps are very fine.
Story DNA
Moral
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Plot Summary
In ancient times, the civilized Koreans shared their knowledge with the less developed islanders. However, an envious island queen, desiring Korea's wealth and skilled people, sought aid from the magical Dragon King of the Sea, who granted her powerful tide jewels. Using these, she invaded Korea, plundering treasures and capturing artists and scholars to bring back to her land. While the Koreans taught the islanders many arts, they later played a trick: when asked for ceremonial headwear, they gave the ignorant islanders old shoes, which the islanders proudly wore as hats, a custom they maintain to this day.
Themes
Emotional Arc
envy to misguided triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects a historical Korean perspective on early Japanese cultural development, portraying Japan as having borrowed heavily from Korean and Chinese civilization, and includes a narrative of conflict and perceived Japanese ingratitude. The 'dwarfs' reference is a historical term used by Koreans for Japanese.
Plot Beats (13)
- Korea (Chosen) is a highly civilized and prosperous land that sends teachers to the less developed islanders (Land of the Dragon-Fly).
- An envious island queen, despite the cultural gifts, desires Korea's wealth and skilled people.
- The Queen's messenger seeks help from the Salt Water Giant, guardian of the sea, to obtain the tide jewels from the Dragon King.
- The Salt Water Giant, after much grumbling, reports to the Dragon King, who agrees to provide the tide jewels in exchange for a temple and shrine.
- The Dragon King appears at high tide and presents the two tide jewels to the Queen.
- Using the tide jewels, the Queen invades Korea, overwhelming its defenses by manipulating the tides.
- The Queen and her people plunder Korea's gold, jewels, and other treasures, specifically capturing artists, craftsmen, teachers, and scholars.
- The captured Koreans are brought to the islands and teach the islanders how to build, create art, make fine clothes, and cultivate their land.
- The islanders, being great borrowers and not inventors, continue to seek guidance from the Koreans.
- When the islanders ask for proper headwear for solemn occasions, the offended Koreans, remembering the invasion, decide to play a trick.
- The Koreans give the islanders their old shoes, tied with strings, pretending they are ceremonial caps.
- The ignorant islanders, unfamiliar with shoes, mistakenly put them on their heads, tying them under their chins.
- To this day, the islanders wear these 'shoe-caps' during offerings to fairies, believing them to be fine and proper headgear.
Characters
The Island Queen
Of short stature, consistent with her people, but with a commanding presence. Her build is likely slender but strong, reflecting her warlike nature.
Attire: While not explicitly described, as a queen of a warlike island nation, her attire would be practical yet indicative of her status. Perhaps a simple, dark-colored, woven tunic or jacket over a skirt or trousers, made from local fibers, possibly adorned with shells, polished stones, or simple metal ornaments. It would allow for movement, suitable for leading her people.
Wants: To enrich her poor island nation by plundering Korea's wealth, knowledge, and skilled people, and to gain power through magical means (tide jewels).
Flaw: Her envy and lack of gratitude lead her to aggressive and deceitful actions, ultimately resulting in a trick being played on her people.
She successfully invades Korea and plunders its resources and people, but her people are ultimately tricked into wearing shoes as hats due to Korean contempt, showing a subtle defeat in dignity.
Envious, ambitious, cunning, ungrateful, warlike.
The Salt Water Giant
An enormous, clumsy, and grumpy giant. His head is completely covered with a thick layer of clam and oyster shells, various seaweeds, small shrimps, and other marine growths from the ocean floor. He is massive, capable of pushing aside hundreds of jellyfish.
Attire: His 'clothing' is his natural covering of marine life: clam and oyster shells, various seaweeds (yellow, purple, green, white), shrimps, and other growths from the sand and ocean bottom.
Wants: To guard the seashore and tides, and to serve his master, the Dragon King of the World Under the Sea.
Flaw: His grumpiness and directness make him somewhat predictable.
He acts as an intermediary, conveying the Queen's request to the Dragon King and returning with the answer.
Grumpy, easily angered, powerful, loyal (to the Dragon King), direct.
The Dragon King of the World Under the Sea
Appears as a terrible dragon's head on a helmet, with eyes that flash fire. The rest of his body is implied to be a powerful, monstrous form beneath the waves, with teeth capable of biting a boat in half and a mouth wide as a man-eating shark's. He has enormously long black moustaches as stout as ships' cables.
Attire: His 'attire' is his own monstrous form, specifically a helmet shaped like a terrible dragon's head. He appears holding a large sea shell.
Wants: To maintain his dominion over the undersea world and perhaps to receive worship and offerings.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but he is swayed by promises of worship and shrines.
He grants the Island Queen's request for the tide jewels, fulfilling his part of the bargain.
Powerful, dignified, fearsome, grants boons but maintains his mystery.
The Korean People
Described as a 'great country' with a rich culture. Their physical appearance would be consistent with historical Korean ethnicity: average height, fair to medium skin tone, dark straight hair, and dark eyes.
Attire: Rich and beautiful clothing, implying traditional Korean hanbok made of fine silks and cottons, in vibrant colors, suitable for a prosperous and culturally advanced society. Specifics would include flowing robes, wide sleeves, and intricate embroidery.
Wants: To maintain their cultural superiority and prosperity, and to retaliate against invaders.
Flaw: Initially trusting and generous, making them vulnerable to invasion.
They are initially invaded and plundered, but then cleverly retaliate by tricking the islanders into wearing shoes as hats, asserting a subtle form of cultural victory.
Cultured, polite, generous (initially), offended, cunning (in their trickery).
The Islanders
Described as 'dwarfs' (short of stature) and 'rude' initially. After Korean influence, they become more refined. Their physical appearance would be consistent with historical Japanese ethnicity: shorter stature, dark straight hair, and dark eyes.
Attire: Initially 'little clothing on their backs' and 'usually went barefoot.' After Korean influence, they wore 'lovely clothes,' but their most iconic attire becomes Korean shoes worn as hats. Their original clothing might have been simple, woven garments, possibly made from plant fibers or animal skins, suitable for a 'gypsy or Indian' lifestyle.
Wants: To become civilized and prosperous by borrowing from Korea, and to conquer Korea for its resources.
Flaw: Lack of originality, cultural misunderstanding, and ungratefulness.
They invade Korea, plunder its resources and people, and adopt Korean culture, but are ultimately tricked into a comical cultural faux pas by wearing shoes as hats.
Warlike, brave, rude (initially), envious, imitative, prone to funny mistakes, ungrateful.
Locations
Korean Coastline
The southern coast of Korea, a rich and beautiful country with rice fields, orchards full of fruit, abundant flowers, and mountains teeming with birds, deer, and rabbits. The warm waters offshore are filled with fish.
Mood: Initially peaceful and prosperous, later tense and invaded.
The Queen's messenger calls upon the Salt Water Giant; the Queen receives the tide jewels and later lands her forces here.
The World Under the Sea (Dragon King's Realm)
A fantastical realm far below the ocean's surface, deeper than any line could fathom. It is home to the Dragon King and Queen, genii, dragons, attendant maidens, and mermaids. The environment is described with lovely water plants of rich colors, seaweeds, corals, and sponges. Sea caves lurk with giant crabs, cuttle-fish, and marine monsters.
Mood: Magical, mysterious, powerful, slightly eerie due to the lurking monsters.
The Salt Water Giant reports to the Dragon King; the Dragon King appears to present the tide jewels.
Islander's Coastal Shrine
A shrine built by the islanders on their shores, dedicated to the Dragon King and the Salt Water Giant. It is decorated with wave patterns and drops of foam, reflecting the sea deities.
Mood: Reverent, traditional, slightly superstitious.
The islanders make offerings to the fairies, wearing their 'shoe-caps' as head-gear.