© David Stewart
My father disappeared three years ago.
A Christian missionary, he was visiting South Korea to spread the Word. I begged him not to go. Shamanism was popular again; it would be too difficult. It would make the people angry. He insisted.
A young girl died in the Nakdong River—a baptism gone horribly awry. My father described the water rising up to swallow her. He could feel her being pulled away. His mission was ruined. He disappeared shortly after.
They said Mool-Gwishin took him. A drowned spirit. The little girl. Took him as payment for her soul.
I wonder who will pay for his.
flossiewrites 
Interesting.
A thought-provoking last line. I like the little extra touches–naming the river, the name of the drowned spirit–both giving the feel of place and reality.
janet
Thank you! I tried to do a little research—Mool-Gwishin are actually the spirits of drowned girls… I love mythology!
Ooo, that gave me shivers!
Thanks!
Very interesting,and I always like a well-researched story a lot! Clear knowledge of the subject matter- and I heard shamanism is very big in Korea. Sad story.
Thank you! Yes, I wanted to research as much as I could, and the story seemed to fall into place from there. Mool-Gwishin are a real thing in Korean mythology—the spirit of a drowned girl. So fitting as to be almost unbelievable!
Yes, worked very well, and very credible – the research was worth it!
Chilling and excellently written.
Thank you! I’m glad it gave you the creeps.
one of those stories that sticks with you. enjoyed your take.
Thank you!
Wow! Very well done. Scary to be in the missionary’s situation in a hostile land.
Yes, I imagine it would be. Thank you for reading!
Excellent; really liked this. Chilling.
Thank you for reading!
Dear Flossie,
You took my breath away with this one! Nuff said.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much!
Pretty awful, ‘the river rising up to swallow her’. Apparently the gods of South-Korea really did not want him there… Very nicely done!
Thank you! Thanks for reading!
That’s a very sad story. I like the little touches, like the hangeul in the title. Do you speak any Korean? I’ve been across the Nakdong river a few times and it’s pretty big. I would imagine the current would be pretty strong, and of course if there was a water spirit in it…
Thank you! I do not speak any Korea, and I’ve never been to South Korea, actually, but I tried to do a little research with this one. Thanks for reading!
“Research.” You are a woman after my own heart!
Yes! I am a firm believer in research when applicable. If I can learn something while I’m writing, all the better, I say!
Your research paid off, Flossie. Fine story, I learned something too.
Thank you!
Wow. This is well-written and powerful.
Thank you for your kind comments—and for reading!
Dear Flossie,
This was a wonderful story written as if told, matter-of-factly, by the narrator, yet it packs a wallop. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you Doug!
Very powerful.
Thank you for reading!
Sounds like the beginning of an everlasting story of revenge that litter the history of humanity,
Thank you for reading!
Dear Flossie — that was intense and powerful. Thanks for sharing it. – Bill
Thank you!
I really liked this one. In 100 words you were able to stir up emotion. I felt sad for the girl who lost her father to tragic circumstance. Well done.
Denmother
Thank you for reading!
“Nakdong river” river should be capitalized. that last line shows the hypocrisy of religion and superstition. well done. also, you could consider just calling him “Father” instead of “my father” and save yourself a few words for some good, dramatic adjectives, but it’s certainly great as it is.
Thanks Rich! I will look it over again and make some changes. I was definitely hoarding words with this one haha.
Who will pay in the end? Don’t we wonder that some times? The father felt he had a reason,but his experience turned out to be so different than his hopes and dreams.
Thanks for reading Joe! I’m glad it inspired some thoughts on the matter
I loved your story. It’s a story that might be told at a fireside. Well done on your research. I couldn’t find out where the photo had been taken. The pagoda was the only clue for me that the photo was probably situated in the Far East, somewhere. Ann
Thank you!
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