{"product_id":"쓱콩이와-여우","title":"Sseukkongi And The Fox","description":"Description\n\n\"Sseu-eu-kong, sseu-eu-kong\" — a mysterious voice calling out for Sseukkongi echoes through a quiet, empty temple! But there's no one outside... Peeking around secretly, Sseukkongi discovers it's just a mischievous fox playing tricks. \"How can I teach this troublesome fox at the temple a lesson?\"\n\n▶ Story\n\nA battle of wits between Sseukkongi and a playful fox!\n\nOnce upon a time, deep in a quiet mountain, a monk and his young temple boy, Sseukkongi, lived together. One day, while the monk went down the mountain on an errand, Sseukkongi stayed behind to watch over the temple alone. Suddenly, he heard a strange sound: \"Sseu-eu-kong, sseu-eu-kong.\" Wondering who was calling him, he looked outside, but saw only a quiet, empty forest. When he went back inside the temple, he heard the same sound again: \"Sseu-eu-kong, sseu-eu-kong.\" Peeking outside secretly, he spotted a mischievous fox pushing the door with a \"swish\" of its tail and bumping it with a \"bonk\" of its forehead.\n\nDetermined to teach the troublesome fox a lesson, Sseukkongi grabbed a stick and chased after it. But the fox ran into the main hall and cleverly transformed itself to look exactly like the statue of Buddha! Since ancient times, foxes have been known as cunning creatures, and many believed they had the power to shape-shift. Hmm, between these two identical Buddha statues, which one is real and which one is the fox in disguise? And how will Sseukkongi manage to catch the mischievous fox?\n\n▶ Features\n\nA delightful blend of a witty Japanese folktale and cheerful illustrations\n\n\"Sseukkongi and the Fox\" is a picture book based on a traditional Japanese folktale. For generations, people have viewed foxes as clever, mysterious creatures skilled at transformation — animals that never fall into the same trap twice and easily outwit hunting dogs. This story introduces children to how people of the past viewed foxes in an easy and entertaining way. As young Sseukkongi cleverly uncovers the fox's disguise, readers will feel a thrilling mix of suspense and satisfaction. The lively illustrations that accompany the story draw children deeply into the tale, bringing their imagination to life through simple yet humorous artwork that adds even more fun to the story.\n\n▶ Author's Note – Kazunari Hino\n\nA Mysterious Tale\n\nIn my mother's family, there's a mysterious old story passed down about my great-grandfather being bewitched by a fox. One night, when my great-grandfather hadn't returned home late into the evening, my great-grandmother stepped outside to look down the road. In a nearby field, she saw a man walking around wearing nothing but his underwear, his clothes rolled up and tucked under his arm. Thinking this was strange, she approached him — and realized it was her husband. He kept muttering, \"It's too deep, too deep.\" Startled, she asked, \"Goodness, dear! What are you doing here?\" He replied, \"Oh! It's nothing. I was just trying to cross the river.\" Sensing something odd, she looked toward a nearby hill and saw a fox staring back at them. That is the true story behind the mysterious tale passed down in my mother's family.\n\nWhen I moved to the neighborhood where I live now, there was a wide reed field by the riverbank. There had been rumors in recent years of a fox appearing in the area, and I suspect that same fox may have been behind that old story too.\n\nOne particular memory stands out: I was returning home at five in the morning on a foggy Sunday. Trying to take a shortcut, I left the train station and walked down toward the riverside sandbank, pushing through the tall reeds — taller than I was — as I made my way through the mist. Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared right in front of me and said, \"I know you.\" Since I had only just moved to the area and didn't know many people yet, I felt a rush of joy at being recognized. Without hesitation, I happily said, \"Here, take this!\" and handed him a large bag of delicious shiitake mushrooms. He said, \"Thank you,\" and walked off through the reeds into the open field beyond.\n\nNo matter how hard I thought about it on my way home, I couldn't recall who that man was or even what his face looked like. He wasn't anyone I knew. It must have been the fox.","brand":"IBOOKPARK","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49623750639844,"sku":"1380051366","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/9788\/6692\/files\/9788970943725.jpg?v=1786421552","url":"https:\/\/ibookpark.com\/en\/products\/%ec%93%b1%ec%bd%a9%ec%9d%b4%ec%99%80-%ec%97%ac%ec%9a%b0","provider":"IBOOKPARK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}