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"Salmon" by Ahn Do Hyun
송정원(영문과, 81)
I recently read the book Salmon, written by Ahn Do Hyun. As soon as they are born, salmon leave the rivers of their birthplace and swim to such faraway places as Alaska. Later, they return to their birthplace to reproduce and lay eggs. In order to reach this place, they must swim upstream, constantly struggling against the river current all the way. After this struggle, the salmon reproduce and then die. How ironic that the salmon returns to its birthplace for the first time only to die there!
Ahn Do Hyun believes that the best way to fully understand and love a salmon is to look at it through the eyes of a fascinated cameraman. To put it simply, you must see salmon from the heart. Unfortunately a salmon doesn't know what it looks like.
Even without a mirror, a person can at least see his own body thanks to the way his eyes are arranged on his face. Salmon, however, are not so lucky. With their on opposite sides of their bodies, salmon cannot see their full reflection. A salmon may know its own shape only through contact with other salmon. Therefore, the mouths of other salmon are mirrors reflecting their own mouths.
Stars can twinkle because there is darkness. Flowers are beautiful because there is soil to nurture them. A school of salmon is beautiful thanks to the other salmon.
We can be a background of others.
The word salmon smells of river.
It leaves a powerful/lasting impression on me.
( 송 정원 동창은 추 규호 시카고 총영사 부인임.)
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