The Old Man in the Dream

Kwon Jai was a man high in rank and well advanced in years. He was,

however, much given to sport and various kinds of pleasure. One

night he had a dream, when an old man came to him, who bowed low,

and in tears said, "Sir, Minister Hong wishes to kill off me and all

my posterity. Please save me, won't you?"

Kwon asked, "How can I save you?" The old man replied, "Hong will

assuredly ask Your Excellency to help him. Desist from it, please,

for if you do, Hong will give it up and I shall live and all mine."

A little later there came a rap at the door, when Kwon awakened

and asked, "Who is there?" It was Hong, who that day had planned

an excursion to Lotus Lake to fish for turtles, and now had come

specially to invite Kwon to go with him.

Then Kwon knew that the turtle had appeared to him in a dream in

the form of an old man, so he declined, saying he was ill. I learned

later that Hong also did not go.

Yi Ryuk.