Kongjui and Patjui
Once upon a time, there lived a kind-hearted couple who longed for a child of their own.
They were overjoyed when they finally had a beautiful daughter, who they named Kongjui.
Surrounded by the love and care of her parents, Kongjui grew up to be pretty, clever, and gentle.
One day, Kongjui’s mother fell ill, and her condition grew worse day by day.
Kongjui…my child…farewell...
No…don’t leave me…/ No…dearest wife…
Kongjui and her father were left all alone.
Kongjui’s father mourned the loss of his wife, but after a while he married again and Kongjui got a stepmother.
The new stepmother came to live with them and brought her own daughter, Patjui.
Welcome Mother, I am Kongjui.
Mama, Mama, I want her dress!
Of course you can have it sweetie! You know you can have anything you want…
Mama, can I have those shoes too?
Oh you remind me of myself, when I was your age! Such a pretty girl should always have the best of everything!
You know Kongjui, you are a whole year older than Patjui.
It is only right that you should share everything with your younger sister. Isn’t that right?
Oh…!? Ah…of course…I will.
Ha ha ha! Give me that! Now!
The new stepmother and Patjui were very cruel to poor Kongjui.
They took all the good food and fine clothes for themselves while Kongjui had to wear rags and work very hard.
Kongjui! Over here! / Kongjui!
We are going to the market. Take this jar and fill it with water. Okay, Kongjui?
Yes, mother..
And don’t you dare be lazy! Fill that jar!
I’ve been drawing water all morning, but the jar won’t stay full…Oh, no! There’s a hole in it!
But what do I do now? Mother will be furious with me!
As Kongjui sat there crying helplessly, a toad sidled over to her.
Don’t cy, Kongjui. Maybe I can help you.
If I close the hole with my body, you will be able to fill the jar. Let’s try it.
With the toad’s help, Kongjui was finally able to fill the jar and bring it home.
Kongjui’s stepmother and Patjui were shocked to see the jar filled to the brim when they returned.
What? How did she manage to fill that jar?
The following day, the stepmother decided to come up with an even greater challenge for Kongjui.
Kongjui, I want you to plow the pebble field. Here, use this hoe.
But…I can’t do it with a wooden hoe!
Don’t talk back and do as you’re told! And you’d better do it well, okay?
Oh…this is impossible….and now my hoe has broken in half! What do I do now?
An ox saw Kongjui crying and came over to her.
Listen Kongjui, there’s no cause for tears. Look, I can use my big, strong jaws to tear out the weeds. Watch…
The ox wandered across the pebble field chewing up the weeds as he went.
Thanks to his help, the field was soon plowed.
How is this possible? How could you have plowed the entire field yourself?
A few days later, there was a big feast in the village.
Kongjui’s stepmother and Patjui spent the whole morning before the mirror
dressing up and ornamenting themselves.
Is this pretty?
You are always gorgeous my lovely Patjui!
Kongjui! You may come to the feast…
but only after you dry and mill three sacks of rice in the pantry and loom one roll of fabric.
Do not come until you are done! Okay? You understand?
But..I can’t do all of that in one day…
That is your concern. Do as you’re told, and don’t talk back!
Ha! Her little tricks won’t help her now. She will never get all of this done in one day!
Ha ha ha! She won’t even have time to come near the feast! Ha ha ha!
There is no way that I can finish all this milling and weaving in one day…
At those words, some sparrows flew in and sat beside her.
Don’t be sad, Kongjui, we have come to help you.
Oh, thank you!!
Peel, don’t eat! Peel, don’t eat!
Using their strong, sharp beaks, the sparrows peeled the rice in no time at all.
Oh…thank you, kind Sparrows!
Of course I still have a roll of fabric to loom….
Don’t worry, Kongjui, I will loom the fabric for you…
Who are you?
Looking up, Kongjui saw a luminous, shimmering fairy standing before her.
Here is a present from heaven to reward your kind heart and hard work.
Put on this outfit and go enjoy yourself at the feast.
Can I really go to the feast? Oh, I am so happy! Thank you, Fairy!
Kongjui was amazed and mystified,
but she gladly accepted the lovely outfit and hurried off to the feast.
This is just like a dream, I don’t even recognize myself in these beautiful clothes and fancy shoes! So awesome!
At that moment, the Prince’s cortege passed by.
Make way! Make way for the Prince!
Oh, no! My shoe…what do I do now!?
But…I must get my shoe back…
Kongjui dd not have time to search for her shoe, so she left it and ran off to the feast.
Who was that lovely maiden who just ran by?
I don’t know, Your Highness.
Bring me that shoe she just lost.
Here you are, sir.
I want you to search the entire village until you find the foot that fits this shoe. I wish to marry that girl.
Yes, Your Highness.
When Kongjui finally made it to the feast, everyone noted her extraordinary beauty and grace.
I never knew there was such a remarkably pretty girl in our village
She must be an angel sent from heaven…
Look, who is that?
Why that’s…Kongjui!!!
How did she get here...
And where did she get those clothes!! You didn’t buy them for her, did you?
Well of course not!
The Prince was haunted by the vision of Kongjui’s radiance, and her face wouldn’t leave his memory.
He waited impatiently for news of her.
You haven’t you tracked her down yet? / I’m sorry…we have looked everywhere… but…
I want you to find her at once!
Yes, Your Highness!
This is the only house we haven’t tried yet. I do hope she lives here…
I have been sent by the Prince to identify the owner of this shoe. He wishes to make her his wife.
All of the women in the house must come out!
What? That shoe?
Why, this must be mine! I lost my shoe yesterday…here, let me try it! Quickly!
Oh, Mother! It will never fit your huge feet. Look, it’s a bit tight, but it fits me, doesn’t it?
Careful, it’s ripping! Please take it off…Are there no other women in your house?
No…only Kongjui, but she’s just our maid. It can’t be hers...No way! It can't be hers...
This is the last house in the village. It is my duty to try the shoe on every woman here.
Kongjui, come out here if you are finished!
But.. she can’t try it on! She’s the maid…she’s nobody!
Silence! Please, try this on…
Oh, I have the other one too!
You must be the one, then! I am so glad I found you at last.
Please come with us to meet the Prince, he is waiting for you. You will be the Princess!
But…this is ridiculous! This must be a joke!
Oh Kongjui! Darling sister, please take me with you! Can’t I marry the Prince too?
Oh…I see now that I should have been kinder to her…it is too late now!
I have heard many good things about you and your gentle heart.
I wish to punish your stepmother and Patjui for being so cruel to you.
No, please don’t! They are still my mother and sister. Can they come and live with me?
It is true, you do have a noble heart! Very well, I shall do as you ask.
Prepare my wedding with Kongjui! We will be married at once!
Although Kongjui suffered at the hands of her stepmother and stepsister,
her generous nature won her the love of the Prince, and touched the hearts of all who knew her…