⛰️ Korean Folktale Series 59
“The Spirit of Mount Geumgang”
(금강산 바위신 이야기 · Geumgangsan Bawisin Iyagi)
🕰️ 1. The Story
Long ago, in the misty valleys of Mount Geumgang, there stood a giant boulder known to the villagers as the Stone God, or Bawisin. Travelers and monks alike would bow to it, for they believed a guardian spirit dwelled within — a spirit that protected the mountain and all who crossed its path.
The rock was not just stone; it seemed alive. When storms raged, the wind howled through its cracks like a deep voice. When the sun rose, its surface glimmered like polished jade. People said that the Bawisin watched over the land, keeping harmony between humans and nature.
One spring, however, a wealthy merchant came to the valley and scoffed at the villagers’ reverence.
“A rock is just a rock,” he laughed. “There is no god here — only fools who worship stone.”
He ordered his men to break a piece of the boulder, hoping to use it to build his new house. But as soon as the first hammer struck, the ground trembled, and the sky darkened. A thunderous roar echoed through the valley, and lightning split a nearby tree in half.
Terrified, the workers fled. The merchant fell to his knees, trembling, and begged for forgiveness. That night, he dreamed of a towering figure made of stone, its eyes glowing with sorrow rather than anger. The spirit spoke gently:
“Human hands build much, yet destroy even more.
I am not angry — only saddened that reverence has turned to pride.”
When the merchant awoke, he wept. The next day, he rebuilt the altar at the base of the boulder and offered rice, water, and wildflowers. From then on, he used his wealth to restore shrines and plant trees across the mountain.
The villagers said that on clear mornings, the face of the boulder seemed to smile faintly — a sign that the Spirit of Geumgang had forgiven them and returned to its quiet watch over the land.
🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons
▪️ Nature responds to the heart of those who touch it.
▪️ Reverence for the world around us is a form of wisdom.
▪️ Pride blinds us to the spirit that sustains life.
👀 3. Reflections in Life
▪️ The sacred can dwell in the simplest of things.
▪️ Respect keeps balance — not only in nature, but in the heart.
▪️ To destroy thoughtlessly is to forget our own place in the world.
🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World
Japan — The Stone Kami of Mount Hiei
A mountain spirit punishes a traveler who mocks its shrine, teaching respect for all living things.
China — The Spirit of the Mountain Boulder
A man who breaks sacred stone faces calamity until he learns to honor nature’s will.
Greece — The Curse of Niobe’s Stone
A tale where pride against divine nature leads to transformation and eternal silence.
💬 A Warm Saying
“Reverence is the root of harmony between humans and the earth.”
📌 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.
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