Author's Note: In Search of Beautiful Korean Proverbs * 2 The Story of When Tigers Smoked * 6 Stealing a Bell with Ears Covered * 15 Even a Ghost Would Wail * 21 Teaching a College Student * 32 The Potter's Arithmetic * 38 Blaming a Disliked Daughter-in-Law's Heel for Looking Like an Egg * 42 The Spot Where the Pheasant Was Roasted and Eaten * 47 Went to Remove a Growth, Came Back with Another * 53 The Blue-Tile Merchant * 61 Not Even Recognizing a Cousin Melon Farmer * 70 Like the Sea Monster of Songdo's Last Years * 76 Like Hwanggojip of Pyongyang * 82 The Stingy Ones of Suwon * 88 The Old Wooden Chest of Chuncheon * 93 Guarding a Dead Horse Like the Magistrate of Yangcheon * 98 Blaming the Ox at Pocheon Market * 102 The Cucumber Merchant of Songdo * 107 The Well-Woven Basket of Chungju * 112 Not Knowing the Axe Handle Has Rotted * 117 Like Hong Gil-dong Plundering Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon * 124 Like Going to Chunhyang's House * 131 As Cold as Samyeongdang's Guest Room * 135 Like Three Mothers and Daughters Sharing One Skirt in Hwang Hui's House * 141 Since Becoming a Tomb Keeper, Royal Processions Happen Twenty-Nine Times a Month * 148 An Unlucky Prime Minister Finds Even a Bone in an Egg * 153 The Messenger to Hamheung * 160 Is It as Cold as Sondol's Cold Spell? * 169 Here Are More Proverbs * 175 How Proverbs Came to Be! Looking back at the proverbs passed down from long ago, we can see just how wise, witty, and hardworking our ancestors were in their daily lives. Proverbs also reflect the customs and character of each region. However, these days, proverbs are used less and less in our everyday language. Korean proverbs are as beautiful as jewels piled high in a treasure chest. But no matter how beautiful a proverb may be, its true value only comes alive when we use it often in daily life. And when we learn the story behind how a proverb came to be, we naturally absorb its meaning and can use it with ease. So, shall we set off together on a journey into the stories behind our proverbs? * Uncovering the Stories Behind Proverbs Mr. Lim Deok-yeon, author of One Proverb, One Story, has long held a deep interest in the proverbs that carry the wisdom and everyday life of our ancestors. Wanting to share these stories not just with adults but with children as well, he set out to unfold each proverb into its own complete story. While many books about proverbs have been published, few, like One Proverb, One Story, pair each proverb with a fully developed narrative. Notably, some of these stories draw from real historical events—such as the turbulent social atmosphere just before the fall of Goryeo, or episodes involving King Taejo Yi Seong-gye of Joseon and Prime Minister Hwang Hui—tracing the origins of proverbs back to actual historical moments. This is a distinctive feature rarely found in other proverb books. * 27 Witty and Satirical Proverb Stories One Proverb, One Story consists of 27 delightful tales, beginning with the story of why the proverb 'When Tigers Smoked' came to be. The collection is rich with variety and humor, including 'As Cold as Samyeongdang's Guest Room,' which traces back to the deeds of the renowned monk Samyeongdang who played a major role during the Imjin War; 'Stealing a Bell with Ears Covered,' a comical tale of two foolish thieves; and familiar expressions whose origins are often unknown, such as 'The Messenger to Hamheung' and 'Even a Ghost Would Wail.' At the end of each story, similar proverbs are included so children can learn them together. In addition, to satisfy children's curiosity about various proverbs, the back of the book organizes proverbs into 12 themes, including proverbs about 'words,' 'poverty,' 'stinginess,' and 'blaming others.' This thematic appendix will be a great help for children in their writing and studies. One Proverb, One Story will bring children today—who are increasingly losing interest in the past and burdened by endless studying—the joy of reading alongside the pleasure of meaningful learning.