Foreword GreetingsandwelcometotheninthissueofKaleidoscope!Before introducing the theme of this edition, I must express mygratitudetowardsthosewhohavemade2014averyspecialyearforthismagazine. This year sawKaleidoscope’s transition from an annual to abiannual publication, the establishment of a new Public Relationsdepartment,andthemagazine’sveryfirstofflinepoetryexhibitionsandfundraising events. The number of staff members at Kaleidoscope hasdoubled; support for thismagazine, bothon andoffline, has increasedtremendously.Iwouldliketothankallofthecrewmembers,whohaveparticipatedinthiseffortwiththeutmostenthusiasmandpassion,aswellasallmyteachersandcolleagueswhohavegiventheirsupportforthispublication.Ican’tbemoregrateful(andexcited)tohavemadeittothispoint.Back to issue number nine. With zeal and zest, the writers andillustratorsofKaleidoscopehaveprobedintoathemethatcouldresonatewithanyreader,ofanycultureorgender,andperhaps,ofanyage.FairyTales — childhood companions, mirrors of childlike curiosity andinnocence,thesteppingstonesforsomeofhumanity’sgreatestworksofliterature.Thestories,poems,andvignettesinthisissueofKaleidoscopeshed light on the different facets of this theme, and raise a variety ofquestions: Can the naïveté of fairy tale princesses be recreated in themodern world? Does age destroy a person’s enthusiasm for bedtimestories, or can a grown-up still be fond of Rapunzel’s window-sideserenadesand Jack’sbeanstalkheists?Shouldall fairy talesbeginwith“onceuponatime”andendwith“happilyeverafter”? Iwish that the featuresof thismagazine, thepastel landscapesandwatercolorcastles, theodes toromanceandeulogies tochildhood, thesatiresandplottwists,willentertainyou(betteryet,shockyou;thewayyouthinkoftheLittleMermaidandtheSleepingBeautymayneverbethesame again).Most of all, Iwish thismagazinewill provide youwith apleasurablereadingexperience.Thankyou.Andalways,asourmottosays,LookintoyourKaleidoscopeofCreativity!

Editor in Chief, Eunice Yoona Lee

Table of Contents PARTONE:OfNobleBirthABoyandaGirl-KyooYoungHwang------------------------------------------------2ALurching,FlappingThing-AprilLee ----------------------------------------------8TheStoryofaChair-SoominCho-----------------------------------------------------10ToMyDearestChild-SoohyunHwangbo--------------------------------------------12PARTTWO:MakeaWishTheCastle-EuniceYoonaLee---------------------------------------------------------15TheWillowTree-InhyeJeong---------------------------------------------------------22StoriesofMyGrandpa-KyooYoungHwang-----------------------------------------24-JiinJeong-----------------------------------------------------------26TheStoryofanIsland-SoominCho--------------------------------------------------28PARTTHREE:Spindles,Slippers,SeaWitchesWhoAmI-JiinJeong--------------------------------------------------------------------31Knives-KihyunKim---------------------------------------------------------------------32ColdCereal-OhyoonKwon-------------------------------------------------------------34BlackMoonlight-WoojoJang----------------------------------------------------------39TheLetterofBriarRose-EuniceYoonaLee----------------------------------------40 PARTFOUR:HappilyNeverAfterAPrincess'sSoliloquy-Ga-inOh------------------------------------------------------44AStepsister'sSoliloquy-Ga-inOh----------------------------------------------------45Untitled-KihyunKim-------------------------------------------------------------------46TheChildInsideMe-OhyoonKwon--------------------------------------------------48ATaleNamedReality-SoohyunHwangbo------------------------------------------49ToaGrown-upChild-AprilLee-------------------------------------------------------50ALostDream-WoojoJang-------------------------------------------------------------51HappilyEverAfter-InhyeJeong-------------------------------------------------------52POETRYEXHIBITION MastersofEnglishPoetry:FromEdgarAllanPoetoShelSilverstein----------54THEKALEIDOSCOPESTAFF

Writtenby-KyooYoungHwangIllustratedby JiyoonPark

LilyandI,wealwaysgototheedgeofthetown.Thereisafencethatdistinguishesthetownandtheforest.Weplaythere,becauseofMr.Groom.Mr.Groomistheoldstumpwhomourcanvaswhenwewanttodrawwithachalk,andourgroomatourweddings.(Lilyhowhegothisname.)becauseshesteppedonthepuddleofmudyesterday,andgotstainsalloverherprettylittlelaceydressandsoMama,IhaveGrandma. thatIgototheedgeofthetown.Shesaidit dangerous.Shesaidthattherelivedamonsterwithtwoglaringbloodyredeyes,agiganticnose,andmouthwhichwassobigthatitcanswallowmeinonebite.Themonster loved to eatagirl, especiallya foolishgirlwhowouldnot listen tohergrandparents.Tobehonest,Iwasterrifiedofthemonster.ItcameinmydreamsandIambigenoughtotakecareofmyselfnow. IhavenevergonetoseeMr.Groomonmyown,soIwasreallynervous.Ithoughtcome.SoIbravelysteppedoutofmyhouseandstartedthejourneytomeetMr.Groom.WhenIsawhim,proudofmyself,Irantowardhim.ThenIrealizethattherewasaman.ofthefence.Eventherepresentativeofourtown,whocouldliftatruck,didnotdaretocrossit.Therepresentativetoldmethatonedaytherewasabigfire,andallthetreesburneddown.Treeshavegrownagain,puttingtheirrootsintheashes,soitlooksokaynow, however, people still preferred to stay away from the forest. Theman kept onstandingthere,staringatMr.Groom.Iwonderedwhohewas,thanitstrokeme-hemustbethemonster!Iwanted hewillhearmeandfollowmeandeatme.Terrified,allIcoulddowasjuststandtherelikeIwasfrozen. He lookedupandour eyesmet.His eyeswereGrandmasaid,itwasrubyredsortofreallypretty.Icringedback.Theygotreallybig,andheapproachedtowardmeinaquickpace,almosthuggingthefence.

Ihesitatedtoanswer.WhowasSophie?Thenamesoundedfamiliar,butnoneofmyfriendwasSophie. Hehadanicevoice.Italmostfeltasifhewassinging. Unabletocontrolmyself,Iblurtedout. togeteatenbyamonster!...

Hegrinnedatme.

Ilikedanapplepieverymuch.Infact,itwasmyfavorite.Everyonewholikesapplepieisgentleandnice.Sohemustbeokay,too.Iwassogladthathewasokay.IneversaidthistoLily,orMr.Groom,butsometimes,Iwanttoplaywithotherpeopletoo. Iasked,withacuriositybubblinginsideme.heanswered. Iasked.Asmallcreaseappearedinhisforehead. .Groom? Astory?Ilovedstories.Ialwaysaskedpeopletotellmestories.However,Grandmawantedtohearanewstory. Oh,Ihaveforgottenthemagicword.Grandmatoldmetoalwayssaythemagicword. Shewasthemostbeautifulpersoninthewholewideworld. breathtakinglybeautifulprincess,andshefallsindanger,andthereisthiscourageouscharmingprince,andhesavesher! Iread themagainandagain.Shewasaprincess, Shehadfaultlesswhiteskinandfairblondhairthatfellsmoothlytoherwaist.Heralmond-shapedeyesseemedtocontainthousandsoftwinklingstars.Bestyet,noonecouldcompetehersmile.SheTiptoeing,Istaredintohiseyesandknewthathewasnolongerwithme.Hiseyesseemedtogazepassme,intosomevoid.

line. -black from the sunburns and dirt. His hair stretched out uncontrollably in everydirectionsasifhewasstrokedby Heletoutadeepsigh. theforestmet.Therewasnofencesthen.Onlyabigtree.Hewouldstareatthelightgreysmokecomingoutofchimneys, gardens filledwithvarious flowersofall colors, andAlso,hewouldstareatagirl.Hewouldadmirehowprettyshewas.Helongedtobeherfriend.However,heknewbetterthantoenterthetown.No

Hestrokedmyhairseveraltimes.herribbonslideoffherhair.Itflewalongthewind,towardstheforest.Shefollowedit,tryingtocatchit.Iwasstartledtoseetheribbonflyingdirectlytowardsme.Ithungonalowtreebranch.Theboygrabbedandhelditouttoher.Shestoppedinfrontoftheboy.Holdingherknee,shetriedtocatchherbreath..Then,shelookedupattheboyandsaidhi. appearance, notevenhisugly red eyes. Itwasdays that felt likeadream to theboybecausehewassohappy.Thegirl,sogentleandinnocent,couldnotstandthethoughtthattheboyateandsleptintheforest.Shepersuadedhimrepetitivelytoenterthetown.Shebelievedthateverybodywillwelcometheboy.Shewassonaïve,andIwasstupidanddesolateenoughtodreamalongherwords.Sooneday,hefollowedher intotheHesighedheavilyagain.factthathelivedintheforestseemedunnatural.Theycametoaconclusionthattheboywasadevil.Theyscoldedthegirlharshly,andbeathimupandkickedhimout.Theyshoutedathimtonever Itwashercryingthatwasthereasonforhisgreatagony.Hewaitedontheboundary.However,theboykeptonwaiting.Oneday,likeanillusion,hesawherrunningtowardhim. anywhereneartheforest.Sothatsheescapedattheveryfirstchance.Theboy,socaughtoutlater.Theylockedeachotherinembrace.Then,theboypulledbackandtuckalockofherblondehairbehindherears.Outofimpulse,he

bentdownandkissedher.Itseemslikeonlyfewsecondshaspastwhentheyheardalotsofbustlingnoises.Blasphemy!appeared,eachholdingaploworatorchandswarmedtowardsthem.Holdinghandstightly,theboyandthegirlran.Hegrewupinthewoods,soheknewtheforestbetterthanthetownfolks.Theyhidunderalogandwatchedpeoplesearchthem.Untiloneofthetownfolks,inordertosmokeusout,settheforestonfire.Theboyandthegirlhadnochoicebuttorun.Peoplechasedthemasiftheywerechasingaprey. Shefell. runningsofar,sohurriedly,andsodesperately.Manyhandsstretchedoutandgrabbedhershoulders,waist,andarms.Run!Shescreamed.Run,andnevercomebacktothistown!Promiseme,okay?HeHeturnedbackandrantowardher.No!Shekickedtowardhim.Run!Promisemeyouwillbesafe!Forwhatitseemedlikeaneternity,hejuststood.Confusedbewildered,notknowingwhattodo.Promiseme!Sheshouted.Hepromisedtonevercomebackandstaysafe.Thenrun!Helookedatheroncemore

?Theycouldgetmarriedwherethereitownfolks Iwassad.Iwanted GrandmawillbesomadifshefindsoutIwasattheedgeofthetown!IwasrunningforGrandmawhenIrememberedsomething.IknewIhadtorush,butIreallywantedtotellthemanwhatIhaveremembered.SoIranbacktohim.

l myGrandmacallsherSo Themansuddenlyshiftedhisfootandstoodinafunnyway.Stiffedandawkward. Auntielikestoplanttrees.Shesaidwhenshewasyoung,therewasreallybigfire,untie.Sheisreallysweet.IwishIcouldseehermoreoften.MyGrandmasaidsheisinsane,insane

tospendherwholelifewaitingforanunnaturalboy.ButIknowaprinceonawhitehorsewillcomeandgether!ItoldthistoAuntieonetime,andshesaidherprincewill IguessIsaidallIwantedtosay.SoIwavedathimagainandran.WhenIglancedback,hehadasmileonhisface.Asmilelikeaflowerpetal.

Writtenby-AprilChaiwonLeeIllustratedby-JiyoonPark

You have a dream: a lurching desire you haveneverspokenofeversinceyoulearnedtheworkingsoftheworld-itisharboredinyourheart.Sometimesduring the day, you unfold your imagination andsketchthedetailsandatnight,itcomesmorevividly,incolors.Infact,youknowthewholestoryalready.Oftenyoudofeellikespeakingofit,whenithalf-crawls,half-flies, its flapping, ticklingandprickling-up,up,withalacrity!...then turnsintoathickcloudthatmakesyouchokeandwonderatyourowncomplicatedemotions.suckonthespreadingsweetnessincontemplation.Youhavetherighttraitsandqualities,andsometalent,perhapsnotworthmuchotherwise,timewillleakandtrickledownyourfingersonlytogetabsorbedbythesun-dried ground over there. Your diligence, motivation, and good heart will push youforwards.Youhavefeasibleplans.No,thereisnoneedtocoweratall!Also embedded in your head are frequent thoughts of thesatisfaction and rapture in realization of the dream. Gazing to thefuture,yourhopesspiralandsoarashighastheproudesttower,andtheivyvinethatspinsaroundit,andanticipationquickensrehearsed getting through the sensation, itreturns as something always new; you wouldhappilyexperienceitagainandagain. Throw yourself whollyintheflow,yes,youwill!Letitcarryyoueverywhereandanywhere! All other thingsare earthly business andyoudeclareyourselffreeoftheresponsibilitytobetieddownbythem.Really!

Really?Focusingyourvisiononthesurrounding,youseemanythings,everydaythings,lyingaroundandthink, TherewouldbeasmanymediocretasksasthedustrollingonthYouweighlikelihoo Howmuchtimeisleftforme? Well,thereisnoknowingwithouttrying.

Athoughtclawsatyourinsides,whichmakesitquiteuncomfortable,andmunchesyourpleasantfeelings.Yetitistooimportanttoflickoff.Incolorsofgrayandblue,youwatchacruelplay.Ha,aself-ridicule,ofthedreamunrealizedafterall! Couldyoubearalifemissingtheveryessenceofit? Wouldyougrowstrongenoughtononchalantlyshrugoversuchanending? it,andlivein it. Instead, itwill live in you, forendlessreplay.Anyway,beauty isbestpreservedwhenitisfrozeninideals;impetuoushandventuringtooclosewillshatterit.Fortheumpteenthtime,youwrapupthefantasylikeso,tokeepthatthingthatflapsflapping.

Writtenby-SoominChoIllustratedby-KimGahyun

wasbornbutmaybethatwasbecauseitwastooyoungbackthen.Butwhatmatteredwhat that itwashealthyandhad lotsof friends ina classroom. Ithadnot seenanyhumansyetandwasquiteexcitedatthethoughtofhavingsomeonelikesittingonit. Thenewschooltermstartedandthestudentscamein.Theyweresmallandtimidandseemedafraidoftheirsurroundings.Thechairwasfascinatedatthesightofitsfirsthumansandwasanticipatingits firstownerwithbothexcitementandfear. Itsotherfriends, just new like itself, were also trembling with anticipation. A little girl withglassesasroundandlargeashereyesandshortpiggy-tailsgentlysatonit.Thechairletoutwarmth,hopingtocomfortthenervousgirl.Thegirlglimpsedatthechair,feelingitswarmthwithdoubt,butneverthelesssmiledatthechair. Thechairspentayearwiththelittlechildrenandwatchedthemadjusttotheirnewschool lives.Afterayear, ithadnotonlyclose friendsbutalsofeltsatisfactionat thesight of the children in its classroom growing up. The chair started to understand,althoughnotthatmuch,whatthelifeofbeingachairrequired.Duringthelongwintervacation,itwasabletobecomeevencloserwiththeotherchairsandwasabletofeelhappinessthathadneverbeenfeltbefore. Thehappinesswasnevergoingtobefelteither.Anewschooltermstartedandanothergroupofnervouschildrennewtoschoolentered.The chair felt the sameanticipation and excitement,but not for long. A sixth-grader entered, explainedbrieflytotheteacherthathisclassroom lackedonechairand grasped itmuch timefor the teacher to reply.With rough hands, thechairwasdraggedacrossthecorridorandfacedasituation it had nevereven imagined. People,mucholder thanthekidsit was used to, were

togoin.Whileresisting,thechairsilentlyhopedforanything,evenastudent,rescueitfromitssituation. A miracle that the chair found hard to believe happened. The teacher from thethatchair

eventhefriendswaitingforitintheclassroom,wouldknow.Theteachergentlysteppedintotheclassroom,huggingitinitsarms. Asaboywithglassesasroundandlargeashiseyessatonthechair,trembling,itgave outwarmth. The boy, feeling thewarmth, smiled.The chair let out a bitmorewarmththanusual,thinkingabouthowitwouldtellthestorytoitsfriends.

Writtenby-SoohyunHwangboIllustratedby-CheonghoCho

Grow,grow,growWondrousdreamsandhopesofchildhood,Mayyourfantasiesneverbetaintedby Dark,loominghandscalledr-e-a-l-i-t-yWeaveyoursparklinggoldenthreadsHoldontoyouridealistic,happily-ever-afterfairytalesSoakandindulgeintheluxuriousprivilegeofbedtimestoriesBeingabletodream,myDearest,isaninvaluablegiftUnfortunately,youwillbestruckwithsuddenswirlingmassoffactsandfiguresThattherewerenoprince-charmingforrescue,Orlittleflutteringfairies,unicorns,andgrumpydwarfsNobrilliantcastleinsight,nomagicalmechanismsoffairygodmothersHadeverexisted,andfairytalesweremerelyTrancelikehallucinationsofcarefreechildhoodTherealitywillsinkthroughyourskinssomeday;Anddevour,crush,poisontheinnocenceOnceyouareagrown-upSadly,alreadytoolatetosatiatethetruegleefulnessOffreelydreaming,imagining,fantasizingBecause,ohpity,theywillbeforevertiedandboundtoNumerousobstaclesandhindranceoftheadultworld

MyDearestChild,SodoretainthecurrentstateDon Andendupasatrash-likemassofworldlymaterialismWithallthegoodness,amiabilityandpuritysuckedoffNeverbecomeapersonLikeme

The Castle Writtenby-EuniceYoonaLeeIllustratedby-CheonghoChoThetaxidriverdroppedmeinfrontof thebiggestmansionIhadeverseeninmyentirelife.Tome,afreelancewriterwholivedoncoldburgersandfries,theideathatasinglepersoncouldoccupyanentireseven-storymansionwasinconceivable.Thesheerdistancebetweenthelimestonegatesandthemainbuildingwasintimidating;therosebushesandthecupidstatuesattheentrancemadetheplacelooklikeoneofthosegarishpictureson1,000-piecejigsawpuzzles. I had been hired to write the biography of the great Madame AnnetteBouchard:amultimillionaire,whowas,backinherheyday,oneofthemosteminentfiguresinthevisualartindustryaswellasthetabloidmagazinestarofherage.Attheageofeighty-seven,shewasoneofthoserich,old,anddyingpeoplewhofeltimportantandwantedtohavetheirbiographiespublished. that hulkof a building

Awaitingattheentranceofthemansion.Thoughprobablyinherthirties,shelookedlikelentherthedrabnessofapeppershaker.WhenIapproachedthesecretary,shesquintedthroughherhugeglassesandscannedmefromheadtotoe. cancelappointmentswhenvisitorsaremorethanfiveminuteslate.Punctualityisvery, ThesecretaryintroducedherselfasThelmaMeyers.Somehowsheremindedmeofmydreadfulhistoryteacherfromthirdgrade,butIcouldcopewiththat.Ifollowedlwithmarblefloorsandniceairconditioning.Therewasnooneexceptus.Theafternoonsunlightfilteredthroughhugeoblongwindowsmadeofstainedglass,andthetappingnoiseofwas.BouchardGaller

fieldtrips,andMuslims.VersionBistheonethatcontainsexplicitcontent.Notpretty.I lesssuafter hearing that the entirety of the seven-story structure was crowded with herartwork,andthattherewasanotherhugestoragebuildinginherbackyardcrammedwithhundredsofshrink-wrappedpaintings.EarlyYears (1927-brown-eyedbabycrammedintoatinyvelvetdress. Thelma cleared her throat and began her presentation (which she hadmemorized,wordbyword)withtheclamorofatrombone.wealthyFrench-Americanfamily.Atayoungage,littleAnnetteBouchardastoundedherparentswithherinteresttowardsthestudyandcreationofaestheticbeauty.Toyour AboveasignthatreadStillLife,1930,pastelsonpaperwasapathetic,napkin-

applesandwhichwerethebatowrite.Thelmawenton.education,andtherehertalentbegantobloomasshewondozensofprizesayearinartcompetitionsbothnationwideandworldwide.Toyourrightisapaintingthatgarneredherthirteenawards,BabyBrotherGoestoToilet(1935),whichshowshermasteryof ourleftareafewmoreaward-winningpaintings,MotherTakingPills(1937),WeBoughtaForest(1938),and (1938). Through research I later learned that such a society never existed, but I

decidedtoputitinthebookanyway. Isawadozenmorepaintings,likeDollars(1931),DaddyLikesHisCigar(1932),MommyandDaddyFightoverPetTigerMortimer(1936),andsoonandsoforth.One

ytomakeanothingappearlikeasomething.IbegantorealizehowlittleAnnettehadwonallthoseprizes. Sheesh,thepowerofmoney. -hugephotoofaplump,curvy,tall,liberalwoman,withthesamechubbycheeksandthesamebigeyes.bygraduatingasthevaledictorianofherhighschoolandgettingadmitted into theAcademyofVisualArts inNewYorkwitha fullscholarship. theheadofherpeers.HerfameinthevisualartindustrysoaredatanincrediblespeedwhichsurpassedthatofanyHollywoodactressorBroadwaysinger.Asyoucanseeinthepictures,shewasalsoatrendsetterwhowasalwaysaheadofherpeerswhenitcametostyleandbeauty.Madameis, infact,knowntohaveworncargopantsalmosthalfa Isawacollectionofphotos,thistimeincolor,ofyoungAnnetteBouchard.Shewasattractive.Ineverypictureherhairwaseitherpomadedortongedintolargecurls,andineverypictureshewaswearingadressthatwaseitherredorstraplessorboth.Shewasarich,fashionableNewYorkpartygirl.Thepartaboutcargopants,though,wasalittlelessconvincing. the most avant-garde of her time. She had atremendously unique style that was incomparable to the unoriginal techniques ofMondrian or Pollock. (I almost laughed here.) Madame used her face to paint herpictures.Shediditbysqueezingamixtureofpaintontohercanvas,andsimplypressing Yes,IcouldseethefineoutlinesofherfaceandhaironanorangeandblackpaintingcalledRaptureattheDanceHall(1954);Iimaginedaplumpladykneelingonthefloorandburyingherfaceinawet,messycanvas.Maybeshedidneedapairofcargopantstodothat. Perhapsartcriticswerecapableofseeingsomethingbeyondthoseeyebrow-

shaped, nostril-shapedsmudgesofpaint; according toawritten introductionon theessenceoflife,death,decomposition,andreincarnation,aswellastheJudeo-Christianfaith, the Islamic faith, the philosophy of Confucius and Mencius, Plato, Diogenes,Theodosius,Bacchus,Zeus,Hera,Aphrodite,MarcoPolo,IgorStravinsky,theFoundingFathers, and Buddha. Her artwork is a warning against the dangers of Americanconsumerism, and, at a greater level, an admonition against the self-interest ofthedoodlesofherpreschoolandkindergartenyears.Fromtherelativelyconcreteones,likethebiliousgreenandyellowblotchesofSavetheForest(1953),orthemagentaandwhiteandblackof (1955), Icouldat leastgetwhattheyoungandambitiousBouchardwastryingtoportray.Yettheawfullyabstractpieces forinstance,thestormofblueandgrayinChiliBurger(1954),orthecloudsofpurpleandpinkinCalculus(1956) weretoopuzzlingforalaypersontocomprehend. 1959.Itwasahugesensation;themarriageofaHollywoodactorandadaringfemaleartist.Thepaparazziwouldfollowthemeverywhere.Theirfiveyearsofmarriagewasweremostsensual,mostflamboyant, ThereweresomevoluptuousredandpinkpaintingslikeEcstasy(1959)andPleasure(1960)andLips(1963).WhenIaskedThelma,asinnocentlyaspossible,howthesepaintingscametobe,shecurtlyremindedmethatIwaslisteningtoVersionA.afflictingherwithseriousdepressionandinsomnia.Itwasanationaltragedy.Madame IbegantoimaginewhatVersionBwouldhavebeenlike. -andthemostmiserableone.Therewasaphotoofthemiddle-agedBouchard,nowwithdroopycheeks.andsixties.Whilehospitalized,shecontinuedtopaint.Thedoctorsadvisedhernottousewithherface,soshereturnedtotheclassictechniqueofwatercolorpainting.Thisabstract,andturnedbacktotheconcreteworldwhichsheusedtoportrayinherearliest Theysurewereconcrete.Syringe(1966),TheWard(1968),Bedpost(1968).

Insanitymusthave,ironically,drivenherbacktothepettydetailsofreality.theart industry.Herwatercolorpainting, (1971),wassoldatanimmensepriceof95milliondollars.Madamecontinuedtomakemoneywhileshewas TherewerepicturesofillBouchardswathedinwhitebandagesandnailedtothebed.Sheseemedtobeinaviolentspasmafterhavinggoingthroughaninsulinshocktherapy treatment. Next to those pictureswere photos of auctions and exhibitions.Peopleinsuits,theverypetop of the Most Influential American Artists list, the very conspirators behind herimmensesuccess,were throwing theirown luxuriantparties, shakinghands,signingcontractswithfountainpens,posinginfrontofthecamera allintheabsenceofthepainter.

thenswitchedbacktot Wecametoanundergroundbunkerofsomesort. Thepaintingwascasedinaspecialstructuremadeofbulletproofglass.Therewasaspecialtypeofventilatorinstalledontheceiling,andeventhelightsseemedtohavebeenpositioned inacalculatedway.Theairwas sowell filtered that the roomsmelled of absolutely nothing. There were thirteen different thermometers andhygrometersintheroom wearingthemaskandthegloves,IcertainlyfeltlikeIhadbecomeasurgeon. AplasticsignreadPrincessinHerCastle,1986-1988,watercoloronpaper. Isawtwothings.FirstIsawthePrincess,anebulousfigureofatinybrunetteinawhitegown,gazingoutherwindow,herlefthandproppedupagainstherchininboredom.ThesecondwasthemostshockingthingIsawinthegallerythewholeday.TheCastle.Itwasanexplosionofdetails:amyriadwhitebricksthatwereputtogetherinpreciserightanglesandsubtlydifferedfromeachotherincolor,largepellucidstainedglasswindowsportrayingJesusandMaryandallthesaints,pointedtowersofbaroqueelegance,gargoylestatuesthatseemedalive,gardens,andgardens,andgardens,andso

any French chateau, Greek temple, or German cathedral that I had seen in the

encyclopedias;sosplendidthattheprincessquicklyfadedoutofmyattention. littleAnnettelivedinasatoddler,itwastheconservatorysheattendedasayounglady,itwastheluxuryhouseshelivedinwithGuySylvester,itwasthehospital thehelplessAnnetteBouchardinthepicture,thoughherfacehadbeenconcealedfromtheviewer,seemedtoscreechoutforattention.Herl

ewminutestogazeintothewestwing,inwhichtheeighty-seven-year-oldAnnetteBouchardwasdwelling likeasleepingfossil. ThisbiographywasgoingtobemoredifficultthanIhadthought.

The Willow Tree Writtenby-InhyeJeong

Illustratedby-KimDasom

Therewasalegendthatoutofallthewishesmadeinfrontofanancientwillowtreeinourtown,onlyonewouldbegrantedinadecade.Mydadalwaysclaimedthatitwashiswishthatwasgrantedtwentyyearsagowhenhemarriedmymom,butnoonereallybelievedhim.MysisterLeahandIalwayswenttothewillowtreetoplay,makingflowergarlandsandjusttalking.Iwasalwayscarefulnottomakeawishinfrontofthewillowtree. Ifonlyonewishwouldbeheldvalid, then I figured I should save it forwhen Ineededitthemost.AsIgrewup,IturnedtoooldforlegendsandwishesandsoonforgotallabouttheIcriedmyselfoutinfrontofthatwillowtreethenightshepassedaway.Hourslater,mydadfoundme,asleepwithmyfacestillwetfromtears.Gentlyshakingmeawake,hemotionedformetofollowhimbacktothehouse.ForafewminutesIdidsoquitepassively,staringatmythesilencethathaddominatedthetwoofus.

Melissa Richards and have two beautiful daughters. That was it. Andmy wish wasgranted.Ineverwishedforane

p.Notonlydidthefactthatmymomwasnolongerwithushauntme,butthethoughtofthewillowtreestilllingeredinmymind.Igotoutofmybed.MysisterLeahwas soundasleepnext tome. Iwalkeddownstairs.Mydadwasasleepinthesofa.Thesighroomthathehadsharedwithmymom.Isoftlypushedopenthebackdoorandstartedsprintingthroughtheforest,towardsthewillowtree.Themoonwasbright thatnight. It shoneupon thewillow tree,as ifpreparingaspotlightforastar.ItwasonlywhenIstoodinfrontofthewillowtreethatIrealizedIbreath.Awish.IwouldmakeawishthatIhadbeensavingeversinceIwaslittle.Iwouldmakeitcarefully,sothattherewouldbenoloopholes.WhatdidIwant?Iwantedmydadtobehappy.ThatwasallIwantedfornow.Itookadeepbreath.Then,Istatedmyever.Iwishthathenolongerhastosleeponbeabletomoveon,toenjoyhislifewithouther.Ireallywanthimtobehappy.Becausewhenheishappy,Iam.Plea Thewindblewagainstmyface,andIwatchedthewillowtreeswayitsoutstretchedarms.Forsomereason,Ifeltcomforted,asifmywishhadbeenreallyaccepted.TouchingAfterglancingatthewillowtreeoncemore,Iwalkedbacktomyhouse.Mydadwasstillasleeponthecouch.Iplacedablanketoverhim.Iwentbacktomyroom,curledinnexttoLeah,andfellasleep.Nextmorning,Ifoundmydadasleepinhisroom,onhisbed.Ismiled.Wishgranted.Thankyou.Iwouldbehappy.

Writtenby-KyooYoungHwang

MyGrandpawasabigfatliar.Whowashetryingtofool?Ienteredelementaryschoolthisyear.Thismeans,Iknowallthetruthabouttheworld.MyGrandpawouldsitmeonhislapandtellaboutextraordinaryadventureshehadwhenhishairwasblacker.Iusedto believe him when I was young. But not anymore. Here is some stories that myGrandpawouldtellme: I was a treasure hunter. Back then, I was young and thought that money was

everything.Every treasurehunter hopes to findEldorado. Iwas too, obsessedwith thethoughtoffindinggold.EverynightIdreamedofslidingdownamountainofgoldcoins,livinginatotalluxury.Afteryearsofsearching,IfinallyfoundtheentranceofEldoradohiddeninthejungleofAmazon.Iwasbruisedandachingafterslashingthroughthornybushesandfightingoffwildbeasts,butIlaugheduntilmylungshurtsomuchthatIcouldnotbreatheanylonger.Iwentthroughtheentranceandvoila!Thereitwas,mymountainofgold.SoIsliddownthemountain,justlikemydream. Yousee?SoIaskedmyGrandpawhereallthegoldwasnow.Ifhehadfoundthatmuchgold,surelywewouldnotbelivinginthissmalloldapartment.Heansweredthathewasreallyrecklessanduseditall.Hereisanotherone:

IservedasaknightinasmallcountryinEurope.Itrainedhardandstudiedallthecourtrules tobecometheroyalguard.When I finallybecamethe loyalguard,my firstassignmentwas to protect thePrincess. Tremblingwith excitementand nervousness, Iwenttoherchambertoreportforduty.WhenIsawherforthefirsttime,IknewinstantlythatIhadfallenlovewithher.Ididmybesttoprotecther.Shefellinlovewithmetoo.We

abandoneverything,herposition,herwealth,andher family. Still,we ranbecauseweknewthatloveisworthgivingupallwehave.AndthePrincessisyourGrandmother.

whichcountryinEuropeisthesettingofthestory.Hisstoriesareendless.Irememberthemostdubiousone: Iwasamerchantwhosoldsilk.IbroughtsilkfromEastAsiatoEuropethroughapath

bythewindonasteepcliff.Inordertopass,Ihadtohugtheprecipitousrockfaceandwalkinchbyinch.Ialsohadtocarryaheavybundleofsilkonmyback.Ihadtobecarefulwithmyeverystep.Onetime,ItookmyfriendJoewithme.Itwashisattemptandhewas

tooeagertogainfortune.Hewalkedhastilyandinasplitsecond,hewasdanglingontheedgeofthecliff.Hehadmissedhisstepandfallendown.Itriedtopullhimup.However,hewastooheavy.SoIditchedmybundleandheavedupJoe.Hearduouslygotonthepathagain.Hewassorryforlosingthebundle,butIwasnotbecauseIknewthatlifematteredmorethanwealth.

would disbelieve and nGrandpaforsolongthatIhaveforgottenthatIhadMom.SoIwasreallysurprisedandconfused.GrandpasaidIhadtofollowheranditwasallforthebest.HepromisedthatIcouldstillmeethimeveryday.Thatwashisbiggestandfattestlie.MomtookmetoameatrainticketandsaidIshouldreallygoseemyGrandpa.Shegavemeanewaddress,sayingGrandpahadmoved.ItmademesadtothinkthatpartofmylifewhichIbelievedwouldlastforeverisgone.Iknewsomethingwaswrongwhenthecabdriversetmedowninfrontofsmallhospital.IwentinsideandaskedforMr.Richardson.ItseemedawkwardtocallmyGrandpathatway-IjustalwayscalledhimGrandpa.Anursetookme to the furthest roomof the corridor. Grandpawas lying on awhite bed, staringblanklyattheceiling.Igrabbedhiswinkledandwizenedhandandcriedwhilehesmiledandstrokedmyhead.Atnight,lyingbesidehimIaskedwhyhemadeupallthosetales.Thiswashisanswer: IwantedyoutothinkthatIwassomeonespecial.Iwantedyoutobeproudofme.Also, IwantedtotellyouthethingsIwishedIknewearlier.SoImade theegoismandlessonsintoagreatadventure. Listeningtothefaintbreathing,IdecidedthatmyGrandpawasnotaliar.Tome,hewasthetreasurehunter,theknightandthemerchant.

Writtenby-JiinJeongGirlsstepuptosayhello.Theybattheireyelashes,trytoflirt,Ismile,reply,bowlow...Iactregally,thewayIshould.Theonlyremarktheymakeisofclothesandfood. TheyboremetodeathwithstoriesofBoysintheirneighborhood.Iyawn.Ican'tdealwiththisanymore.Lookingforaquietplacetopassmytime,Isilentlywalkoutthedoor, Iwaitforoneo'clocktochimeForthat'swhentheballwillend.Nightairiscool,soIstrollaround,Andlookdowntheroadthatleadstomycastle,WhenIhearastrangesound,Andanorangepumpkincarriagecatchesmyeyes. 'Pumpkin,seriously?'Ithink,Thengoouttogreetthedaringgirl,Wonderingifherdresswashotpink-Somethingcrazytomatchhercarriage.ThedoorcreaksopenandIstarewide-eyed...Outstepabeautifulgirldressedinblue.Iturnbrightred,thenlookforaplacetohide.'Whatisthis?'Iaskmybeatingheart.IstartcrawlingtowardsabushwhenIseeherfall,"Woah!"Ishoutandcatchherintime.Ismile.Itmustbeherfirstball.Sheblushes.She'sasnervousasme."MayI?"Iask,offeringhermyarm.Shegrabsthearmtosteadyherwobblyknees.

Istiflealaugh.Thisgirlmust'vegrownupinafarm,Forshecannottakeastepwiththoseslippersofhers.Tripping,stumbling,weawkwardlyclimbthestairs,Iopenthegateandgestureherin.We'rereceivedbyopenmouthsandcuriousstares,Iwavetomyfatherwhoisbeamingwithhappiness.Myfavoritesongison,soItakeherhand,Showoffsomemoves,hopingshe'llfollow.Inudgeher."Comeon!Don'tjuststand!"Sheechoesmymovements,clumsilyandslowly.Songaftersong,Idancemyheartout.Songaftersong,IrealizeI'mfallinginlove.Isneakalookatthegirlandseeingherstill,Ipout.Shelooksnervouslyatmeandstartsdancingagain.Theclockstriketwelve.Ican'tbelieveit'smidnight.Thegirlstartsrunningtowardsthedoor.Notwantingtoloseher,Ichaseherwithallmymight."Wait!"Ishout,butshedoesn'teventurnaround.It'sfunny-before,shecouldn'twalkastepwiththoseslippers.Now,she'srunning,sprinting,boltingoutofmycastle.Shelosesaslipperwhilehurryingtowardsherwhitehorse.Ipickitupandwatchhergo.IlostherbutIdon'tcare,forI'llfindhernomatterwhatittakes.

Writtenby-SoominChoIllustratedby-KimDasom

Onceuponatime,therewasanisland.Itwasabeautiful islandwithflowersandtreesthatpleasedtheeye.Exoticcreatureswouldsometimessneakalookattheoutsideworldfromtheirhomes,orshowofftheirshowycolorstopassers-by.Aroundtheislandwasabeautiful,blueoceanthatsparkledindifferenthuesateverysecond.Therewerealsopeoplewholivedinthelittlewoodenhutsthattheyhadbuiltforthemselves.TheinhabitantsneverforgottothankMotherNatureforhergiftsandheldmanyritualsforher.Whenmorethansevenfishwerecaughtinanet,theywouldalwaysspareonefore, flatrockthatwasthoughttobeawayofcommunicatingwithher.Whentherewasrain,theywouldthankherbydroppingsomeoftheraintheyhadcollectedontherock.Thenoneday,amandecidedtobuildalargerhousewithwoodandstones.Manyislanderswatchedtheconstructioninawe.Thefinishedworkwasmagnificentanditstoodoutfromtherest.Childrenwouldglanceatthehousewitheyesofenvyandothermenstartedtofeelthattheirhouseswerenotbigenough.Onebyone,othermenstartedtobuildlargerandbetterhouses.Theislandwassmallbutthereweretoomanypeoplewantingtobuildlargehouseswithstoneandwood. Acompetitionstartedamongstfamilies.Buildingabetterhousewasuptocuttingdown a better, taller tree andgetting hold of a larger rock. People fought overwho

deserved the bettermaterial. Families started to turn their backs from others. Theislandersstartedtocareaboutthebenefitsoftheirownfamilyandtheirsonly.Lessofeverythingwasgiventoothersandvoicesstartedtogetrougher.MotherNaturewasnothappy,butshetrustedtheonce-peacefulpeople.Shedecidedtowait.The numberof trees decreased rapidly, and the competition for trees and rocksbecame even fiercer. Time formealswas kept at aminimumand even the childrenstartedtocarryasmanystonesandpiecesofwoodastheycouldforabetterhome.PeoplestartedtoforgetsparingtheonefishforMotherNatureanddroppingrainwaterontheholyrock.Theywerealltoobusycaringabouttheirownhousesthattherewasnotimeforanythingelse.MotherNaturewasnowangry,butshedecidedtowait.were no more large rocks left in the island and men were fretting about theiruncompletedhouses.Everyoneglimpsedattheholyrockbutdarednottouchit.Butonemandiddare.Hesuggestedthattheholyrockbecutintolargepiecesforeveryonetoshare. Many fretted about the consequences but no-one denied. The holy rock wassmashed.Assoonastheholyrockwasdividedintotwo,athunderousvoiceshookthe-sightedness.IhaveseenandfeltrudenessthatIhadneverimagined.Youbelieveyourselveshigherthansawwhathadneverhappenedontheislandbefore.Ahugewavewasapproachedtheirisland.Peoplerantowardsthehighestvolcanooftheisland.Childrenwerecarriedbytheir parents and everyone climbed as fast as they could to the top of the volcano.Everyonewatchedasthefirstwaveshreddedthehousesbytheshoreintopieces.Wavesendlesslypoundedattheislandandastormwithhowlingwindsbleweverythingapart.ThepeopleheldontoeachotherandwatchedtheireffortsbeingengulfedbythewrathofMotherNature. The islandwasdestroyed in amatterminutes. Therewasnomercy.Thepeople,despairingquietly,bowedtheirheadsinfrontofMotherNature.