Korean Folktale : The Goblin Under the Persimmon Tree

🎃 Korean Folktale Series 73

“The Goblin Under the Persimmon Tree”
(감나무 아래 도깨비 · Gamnamu Arae Dokkaebi)

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🕰️ 1. The Story

In a small countryside village, there stood an old persimmon tree whose branches bent low with bright orange fruit every autumn. The villagers loved the sweet persimmons, but they avoided the tree at night—because, they whispered, a dokkaebi (goblin) lived beneath it.

Dokkaebi were mischievous spirits, known for playing tricks, causing trouble, and laughing loudly at their own jokes. But the goblin under the persimmon tree was said to be especially cunning.

One chilly autumn evening, a poor farmer named Jang-ho passed by the tree on his way home. He was tired, hungry, and worried about the coming winter. Seeing the ripe fruit glowing in the moonlight, he sighed,

“If only I had just one persimmon… maybe tonight I could sleep with a full stomach.”

Suddenly, a raspy voice called from the shadows,

“One persimmon? Why not ten? Or a hundred?”

Jang-ho jumped back as the goblin stepped into the moonlight—red-skinned, one horn on its forehead, and a grin wide enough to touch both ears.

The dokkaebi held out a sparkling club.

“I am in a generous mood. Ask me for anything! Gold? Rice? A new house? Just entertain me with a good scare!”

Jang-ho thought quickly. He had heard a rumor: dokkaebi feared persimmons because they resembled glowing ghost eyes at night.

He took a deep breath and shouted,

“Dokkaebi! Look! A giant persimmon demon is behind you!”

The goblin froze.

“W–what?”

Jang-ho pointed at the full moon—round and orange under drifting clouds.

“It’s coming closer! Look at its glowing body!”

The dokkaebi shrieked, dropped its magical club, and ran into the forest crying,

“Save me from the persimmon demon!”

As the sound of its footsteps faded, Jang-ho blinked in surprise.
The dokkaebi’s club—the legendary dokkaebi club that grants anything one wishes—lay at his feet.

Laughing in disbelief, he picked it up and whispered,

“A warm meal… a bag of rice… and maybe a new coat?”

In an instant—POOF!—each wish appeared before him exactly as he imagined. For the first time in years, Jang-ho felt hope glow in his chest.

The next day, he shared food with his neighbors, helping widows, elders, and hungry children. Word spread quickly, and the villagers all gathered under the persimmon tree to thank the heavens for the unexpected blessing.

As for the dokkaebi?
Some say he still hides in the forest, trembling at the sight of anything round and orange. Others swear they hear him muttering,

“Why did it have to be a persimmon…?”

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons

▪️ Clever thinking can outmatch even the strongest foe.
▪️ Generosity turns unexpected fortune into true blessing.
▪️ Fear often grows from misunderstanding—not real danger.

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👀 3. Reflections in Life

▪️ Sometimes a quick mind protects better than wealth or strength.
▪️ When good fortune comes, sharing it multiplies its value.
▪️ What we fear may disappear when seen in a new light.

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🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World

Japan — The Oni Who Feared Beans
A demon driven away by something harmless, teaching that cleverness can overcome fear.

China — The Trickster Fox and the Foolish Spirit
A simple villager tricks a mischievous spirit using wit rather than force.

Denmark — The Troll and the Candle
A troll frightened by a child’s clever trick involving a glowing candle flame.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Cleverness shared with kindness becomes a gift to the whole village.”

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📌 Note
This is creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission. Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.