A Wonderful Medicine

Prince Cheung had been First Minister of the land for thirty years. He

was a man just and upright, now nearly ninety years of age. His son

was called Whal, and was second in influence only to his father. Both

were greatly renowned in the age in which they lived, and His Majesty

treated them with special regard. Prince Cheung's home was suddenly

attacked by goblins and devils, and when a young official came to call

on him, these mysterious beings in broad daylight snatched the hat

from his head and crumpled it up. They threw stones, too, and kept on

throwing them so that all the court was reduced to confusion. Prince

Cheung made his escape and went to live in another house, where he

prepared a special medicine called sal-kwi-whan (kill-devil-pills),

which he offered in prayer. From that time the goblins departed, and

now after five or six years no sign of them has reappeared. Prince

Cheung, too, is well and strong and free from sickness.

Yi Ryuk.