The Story Of A Small Fox Who Has A Star - Chapter 2
Ok. Take a deep breath before you start reading.
After JHo’s visit, Ho-Chi’s life became very busy.
Making Ho-Chi do trivial things and scolding him became one of JHo’s pastime activities. Fox lots who were serving JHo from the side mocked Ho-Chi as they watched Ho-Chi roll around on a ground while being laughed at.
Despite all the disdainful gazes, Ho-Chi was able to learn little by little how to talk, to embroider, and to cook by watching other subordinates perform their tasks.
“You worthless!”
Clicking his tongue, JHo went into his bed chamber.
Water for washing up splashed Ho-Chi which was thrown by JHo earlier. Ho-Chi was dripping wet and, because JHo pushed Ho-Chi to the ground, dirtied with mud.
Due to JHo’s complaint about water temperature and its odor, Ho-Chi had to get a new bucket of water. The water that splashed Ho-Chi counted as fifth one.
JHo’s complaint this time was due to Ho-Chi’s carelessness. Because of how heavy the bucket was with water inside, Ho-Chi’s tired arms were shaking with fatigue. When Ho-Chi was putting down the bucket on the ground, drops of water wetted JHo’s fine clothing which resulted to JHo dumping the whole bucket onto Ho-Chi.
Ho-Chi’s shoulder that was struck by wooden bucket was throbbing with pain.
Without thinking to help Ho-Chi, the rest of the subordinates followed after JHo with mirth on their faces.
Sniffling with face full of tears, Ho-Chi picked up the bucket laying on the ground and headed home.
Ho-Chi knew that if he went around in his wet and dirty clothing, JHo will insult Ho-Chi.
‘You worthless!’
It was the comment that JHo used often on Ho-Chi. Ho-Chi sniffled some more while looking down at his tiny tail. But even Ho-Chi had something that he enjoyed. It was the embroidery that Ho-Chi learned by watching others.
Ho-Chi collected beautiful clothe that servants don’t need. He cut each clothe into shapes and sewed them together to create one big fabric. If Ho-Chi saw a stain, he simply hid them by using his needlework.
At first, Ho-Chi’s clumsy hands made uneven thread trail, and often time seams opened, but now Ho-Chi’s skill became proficient. Whatever Ho-Chi made, it held sophisticated beauty.
Ho-Chi raised his product up to the light and smiled with pride.
Soon, there is going to be a summer banquet and many gifts will be presented to Master Cheon-Ho.
Ho-Chi was planning to give his gift to Master Cheon-Ho as well.
Just by thinking about it, it made Ho-Chi’s heart full of happiness which gave Ho-Chi the strength to endure any ill-natured comments from others.
A splendid summer banquet started.
From the various parts of the regions, creatures sent their gifts and regards. Those of who came to enjoy the banquet arrived by flying across the sky, swimming through the streams, and jumping over the mountains.
Master Cheon-Ho and JHo accepted greetings of many from the place of honor.
In front of the guests, there laid table full of delicious foods and on the side flower like servants waited to serve their guests which added to the amusement for the eyes.
While guests were enjoying themselves, names were read out and each time a creature walked out in front of Master Cheon-Ho to give their gifts. One by one, mountains of gifts accumulated.
Just then, Ho-Chi’s name was called.
Instantly, the banquet became silent.
Tottering forward wearing humble cotton clothing, Ho-Chi walked out from a crowd.
It was a wonder that Ho-Chi was even able to put his name on the list.
Looking at Ho-Chi’s small figure walking out to the front, the guests started whispering among themselves. They all knew about the short tail that was accidentally cut off from Master Cheon-Ho.
Master Cheon-Ho could not remember who Ho-Chi was at first glance.
Watching the boy bowing his head, Master Cheon-Ho finally remembered Ho-Chi’s identity. Master Cheon-Ho’s brow wrinkled.
“MaMaster Cheon-Ho. I wish to present you this small gift.”
Without properly finishing his sentence, Ho-Chi handed over the dew bearing violet wisteria flower along with a carefully wrapped present while trembling.
Sensing the displeasure rising in Master Cheon-Ho’s mood, fox lot horridly took Ho-Chi’s gift and arranged it at the corner of other presents.
Both cheeks dyed red, Ho-Chi took his leave.
Just from the fact that Master Cheon-Ho accepted his gift, Ho-Chi could not contain his joy.
When the banquet was coming to its end, Master Cheon-Ho left his place and headed to his chamber. On the way out, Master Cheon-Ho spotted a violet flower among his gifts. His eyes traced the colorful fabric under the flower.
What could such a small child give him, Master Cheon-Ho became curious.
With the tip of his fingers, Master Cheon-Ho lifted the fabric. With gentle sound, brightly colored fabric unfolded itself.
Although the fabric was cut from different types of clothes, the fabric held them together with well-planned color combination along with lovely embroidered designs, however, the poor skill combined with inexperienced needlework showed with close inspection of the fabric.
Master Cheon-Ho discarded the fabric to the ground.
“Can not even use that as a rag.”
Observing Master Cheon-Ho’s action, JHo smiled as he stood beside him.
JHo’s temper was the same, but Ho-Chi was happy.
As he learned more, JHo became full of intellect. Along with his mind, Jho’s body also became much healthy and strong. Now, Ho-Chi could not understand the difficult words JHo spoke to humiliate him.
Ho-Chi understood that JHo’s words were meant to humiliate him only because when JHo spoke other subordinates laughed with ridicule while looking at Ho-Chi.
Nevertheless, Ho-Chi did not mind the harsh treatments.
Because, just few days ago, Ho-Chi successfully passed on his hand made mulberry rice cake to one of the subordinates who oversees handling offerings to Master Cheon-Ho.
And just another day, Ho-Chi picked the most beautiful lotus flower with morning dew that saw the morning sun for one hour and presented it to Master Cheon-Ho.
Also, just recently, Ho-Chi started manipulating metal to make ornament.
Yes, the materials that Ho-Chi can get his hands on were of trivial origin, but Ho-Chi created each piece with the best of his ability.
Because he was free only during the night time, Ho-Chi had to go without wink of sleep to make his gifts. During the day, however, Ho-Chi made numerous mistakes while working under JHo. Seeing this, JHo sensed that there was something going on with Ho-Chi, so JHo planned a surprise visit to Ho-Chi’s cottage.
JHo was aware that Ho-Chi was offering various gifts to Master Cheon-Ho.
No matter the intention, JHo felt embarrassed whenever Ho-Chi being out of line. Though they were different from each other, they were still born from the same tail. Because what makes Ho-Chi was supposed to be part of himself, JHo felt that Ho-Chi’s shame was also his own.
Wanting to know exactly what Ho-Chi is going to start this time, JHo burst opened the door of still illuminated Ho-Chi’s room.
“Aak!?!”
Ho-Chi who was startled suddenly looked up at JHo. JHo’s hand stretched out and snatched the ornament in Ho-Chi’s hand before Ho-Chi could hide it.
In JHo’s hand, he had a colored stone, that wasn’t even a jewel, connected by loose rings. Such sight was truly a spectacle that JHo could not help but smirk.
“What do you think you are doing?!”
“PPlease, give it back”
As JHo watched Ho-Chi struggling to get back the ornament with outstretched arms, JHo felt the rising anger.
JHo threw the ornament at Ho-Chi.
Puck! With a loud sound, metal part of the ornament teared up Ho-Chi’s forehead and dropped to the floor.
Blood trickled down from the middle of Ho-Chi’s forehead.
“Please go soak yourself! I’m ashamed for you!! Do you think Master Cheon-Ho will ever like the things YOU make!!”
Unable to conjure any retort, Ho-Chi gently picked up the broken pieces from the floor to his hands. Watching, JHo became angrier.
It was a disgrace that Ho-Chi was the same race as JHo.
Ho-Chi was extremely deplorable, having no vigor, and very little spiritual energy. JHo yelled at Ho-Chi.
“Do you know what happened to the fabric that you offered! Some servant used it to wipe a chamber pot! Do you know what happened to the rice cake that you offered! It was thrown to a dog but even a dog wouldn’t eat it! Do you know what happened to the flower that you offered! It didn’t even reach Master Cheon-Ho before it was buried in a heap of manure!! Master Cheon-Ho will only feel displeasure when he sees your presents!!”
Thud.
From Ho-Chi’s hands, something that could not even be called ornament fell to the floor.
JHo left Ho-Chi as he sneered at the boy’s wounded form.
Ho-Chi could not bring himself to wipe away the blood that was dripping down his forehead as he cried soundlessly.
Thank you for your comments and thank you for reading.
