Korean Folktale : The Reaper Who Was Tricked

🌫️ Korean Folktale Series 37

“The Reaper Who Was Tricked”

(저승사자 속은 이야기 · Jeoseungsaja Sog-eun Iyagi)

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🕰️ 1. The Story

Long ago, in a quiet village at the foot of a misty mountain, there lived an old man named Mr. Bae, known for his sharp wit and mischievous charm. Though poor, he laughed easily and often joked that even the reaper of the underworld (Jeoseungsaja) would have a hard time taking him away.

One autumn evening, as he dozed by the fire, the door creaked open. A tall figure cloaked in black entered, holding a scroll and a staff. His voice was deep and calm.

“Bae the farmer, your time in this world has ended. I’ve come to guide you to the afterlife.”

The old man jumped up in alarm but quickly regained his composure. “Ah, so you’re the famous messenger from the underworld! But surely, you wouldn’t take me on an empty stomach. Let me cook you a meal before we go.”

The reaper, curious, agreed. Mr. Bae served him a bowl of hot soup and rice wine. As they ate, the old man smiled slyly and said,

“You must work hard every day collecting souls. How do you know whose turn it is?”

The reaper sighed. “It’s all written on this scroll. Once the name appears, the person’s time has come.”

When the reaper looked away, Mr. Bae secretly snatched the scroll and hid it under the table. Then he pointed toward the window and shouted,

“Look! Is that your superior, the King of the Underworld?”

Startled, the reaper turned around—but saw nothing. When he turned back, the scroll was gone. Mr. Bae laughed,

“If you can’t find your list, you can’t take me, can you?”

The reaper, realizing he had been tricked, groaned in frustration. “You are clever, old man. But I will return when your name appears again!”

Years passed, and Mr. Bae lived longer than anyone else in the village. When the reaper finally returned, he greeted him with a smile and said,

“I suppose it’s truly my time now. But thank you for letting me finish my laughter on earth.”

The reaper nodded, half amused, and said,

“You are the first soul to make death itself laugh.”

And so, the people remembered Mr. Bae not as a man who escaped death, but as one who faced it with wit, warmth, and courage—reminding everyone that even in life’s end, a clever and kind heart leaves joy behind.

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons

• Wisdom and humor can bring light even to life’s darkest moments.
• Courage comes not only from strength but from wit and composure.
• Accepting fate with grace turns fear into peace.

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👀 3. Reflections in Life

• Laughter can ease fear, even in the face of death.
• When we live kindly and lightly, even endings become gentle.
• A wise mind finds hope where others find despair.

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🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World

•  China — The Scholar Who Fooled the Yama King
  A clever man tricks the lord of death into giving him more years of life.
•  Japan — The Old Man and the Shinigami
  A man bargains with the god of death and learns the meaning of acceptance.
•  Germany — The Death’s Apprentice (Grimm’s Tale)
  A clever human learns to delay death, but ultimately accepts his fate with peace.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“The one who can smile at death has already learned how to live.”

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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.