You are my eyes

Jung Yun and Melva

Korea, winter, the mid-800s

Jung Yun slept coiled on the couch of his hut. The ten-year-old boy shivered in coldness while hugging his stomach. He starved.

This winter, his parents should serve their meat. Meat is very useful for warming their bodies. But let alone bring meat; rice, wheat, bread and vegetables are rarely taken home by his parents. Maybe because all the heads of the family in their village are increasingly diligent hunting so that the number of meat animals in their forest is reduced a lot. And the Jung family was too poor to buy meat. At most his father could bring home a little rice or wheat from his bartering with firewood.

Everyday Jung Yun's father could still grow vegetables in the small yard of their house, but the plants died in the cold season like this. As a result, this family often lacks food in the winter.

Geck.. Geck.. Jung Yun heard the sound of her door being knocked on. Who came to their humble hut?

Jung Yun walked slowly towards the door of his house and opened it. There was a very beautiful woman, wearing a long white silk dress to her feet. On his head was a crown of leaves interspersed with purple flowers. The woman smiled looking at Jung Yun.

“Noona, looking for who?” Jung Yun asked politely.

“What are your parents there?” Ask the woman.

Jung Yun shook his head. “They are looking for food and have not returned.” He said slowly while stroking his stomach that was sick from hunger.

“You hungry?” Ask the woman.

Not yet had time for Jung Yun to answer, the woman lowered her head and picked up a handful of snow, then walked into the simple hut of the Jung family.

The woman immediately stepped into the kitchen. With a handful of snow he brought, he prepared a pot and firewood. Then he grabbed the bag he was carrying, took out the leaves from his bag. Jung Yun's eyes widened, only to realize that the woman was carrying a bag containing many leaves of a type of vegetable.

The woman immediately processed the leaves with simple tools and spices in the kitchen, into a menu that aromatic appetizing. Jung Yun's eyes did not escape from the woman as long as she processed food.

“Eat.” The woman placed the vegetables on the plate in front of Jung Yun. Without hesitation, Jung Yun immediately grabbed it and devoured it. The woman sat before Jung Yun as long as Jung Yun ate, looking at him with a smile.

The warm taste of the vegetable immediately spread from the mouth to the stomach of Jung Yun. Over time his body began to warm, he did not shiver cold anymore. His cheeks also began to meet red.

Jung Yun looked at the woman with gratitude.

“Thank you, Noona.” Jung Yun said as he lowered his head, then he smiled.

“You're full? The vegetables are not finished.” The woman pointed at the pot that still contained vegetables.

Jung Yun shook his head.

“Dad and Mom haven't come home yet, they're still looking for food. I didn't know if they were getting food or not. So, that vegetable is for my Dad and my mom, Noona. For me it is enough.” Jung Yun said slowly.

The woman smiled as she stroked Jung Yun's head.

“You are a very good boy. Never thought of your own interests. Accept this,” the woman thrusts a small bag of grain. “Eplant this when before winter, it will grow during winter and can meet the needs of your family's meals. If later your plants grow, take the seeds for you to plant when the next winter.” Add the woman again.

“Noona should go.” The woman moved from her seat. “Keep being a good boy, devote yourself to your parents.” He stroked Jung Yun's head again.

“Stay first, Noona, until my parents return. They'll want to thank you for the kindness of Noona.” Jung Yun said, restraining the woman from quickly leaving her hut.

Jung Yun had to nod. “Alright Noona, thank you for Noona being so kind to me. May I know the name Noona?”

“Call me Melva.” The woman replied as she walked out of the Jung family hut, then she waved her hand. “Goodbye Jung Yun, be a good boy!” Exclaims.

Jung Yun was shocked. Noona knows my name? I haven't even told you my name yet!

But not yet had Jung Yun shout towards Melva, a large snow wind blew until Jung Yun was forced to turn his face. By the time he looked towards Melva again, Melva had already vanished.

 

...🌻🌻🌻...

... ...

Jung Yun grasped the small pouch Melva gave him. He was still sitting on his very simple dining table. In disbelief, Melva just appeared and saved him from starvation. Jung Yun kept thinking, who is Melva? There are no relatives of her father or mother named Melva. In addition, Melva's beautiful dress signifies Melva's economic class which is definitely far above her family. If you notice, Melva's appearance is like the king's daughter who when walking in the streets of her village is always accompanied by her ladies.

Suddenly the door of Jung Yun's house opened. Jung Yun turned his head, he looked at his father and mother who had gone home with smiling faces.

“Appa! Eomma!” Jung Yun walked over and hugged her parents. His parents hugged him and stroked his back.

“Sorry, we went long. You hungry?” Mom pointed at her dad. “We found groceries.”

Jung Yun's eyes widened again. He saw his father clutching the same plant Melva had brought.

“This plant... From where Appa can?” Ask his father.

“This plant grows itself in front of our gate. Your eomma has already tested it, it is non-toxic, so we can eat.” Answer father.

“Jung Yun.. Who just cooked?” Ask his mother who was standing next to the dining table and pointed to a pot that still contained vegetables.

Jung Yun immediately told Melva about her parents. He even showed her the small pouch Melva gave him and also told her to plant the grain before winter.

The two old men were pensively puzzled, who was the woman who came to save their child? It is certain that the woman is not their relatives, but they are very grateful for the presence of Melva to save Jung Yun.

They consider Melva to be a plant goddess. They immediately prayed to give thanks and thanked Melva for her help.

Because the leaves brought by his father were quite a lot, his mother cooked the leaves again. Finally that day, this small family can eat until full as well as warm their bodies.

 

🌻🌻🌻

 

This is exactly what Melva ordered. From then on, every winter, Jung Yun would plant those grains. No matter how many seeds he planted, the resulting plants would only provide for the family's feeding needs during the winter. After the winter ended, the plant disappeared as if it were dead.

When the plant is given to someone else, it will wither immediately and can no longer be processed. Neither can the seeds grow if Jung Yun does not plant them and cannot grow them if they are planted outside their huts. Be the grain finally can only be used by the Jung family only.

Therefore, year after year, every winter Jung Yun always remembers his meeting with Melva. Melva never showed up again. Jung Yun could not forget her, she always remembered Melva's beautiful face, her smile, her clothes, the crown of her leaves and her cooking. Jung Yun always prayed and thanked Melva for the kindness that every year always protect her family from hunger through the plant. Often Jung Yun also slipped a prayer, in case Melva could come back to her house. But until Jung Yun finally aged and closed the age, Melva never appeared again. And with the passing of Jung Yun, the plant also never again appeared in the yard of the Jung family home.

 

🌻🌻🌻