A child's tale of lost treasure

The Two Brothers of Haengju statues at the end of December 2017/ Robert Neff Collection

By Robert Neff

Several years ago, a popular spot for bicyclists to stop on the south side of the Han River was just under Haengju Bridge. Here the large number of riders could replenish their energy with food and drink from the nearby convenience store; air up their tires; and chat and smoke (for some reason a lot of cyclists seem to smoke) while looking out at the beauty of the river. Many, however, were probably unaware that just a short distance away (perhaps a hundred meters) and hidden by trees and overgrowth was a magical spot ― a monument dedicated to two long-dead brothers who resisted the temptation of gold.

According to the legend:

"During the reign of King Gongmin of the Goryeo Kingdom, two brothers were walking together when the younger brother discovered two gold nuggets and gave one to his older brother. The brothers reached Yangcheongang River [near Gayang in Gangseo-gu] and they were crossing the river on a boat. The younger brother suddenly threw his gold nugget into the river. The older brother thought this was strange and asked him why. The younger brother answered, 'I have always loved you dearly, but I was suddenly overcome with hatred after sharing the gold with you. That is why I think it is better to throw the gold away.' The older brother responded, 'You are indeed correct,' and also threw his gold nugget into the water."

Of course, not everyone is able to overcome the temptation of gold ― especially at a river. The wonderful series by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) provides a fine example of how the discovery of lost treasure can corrupt even the purest and most innocent of hearts. According to Tolkien's tale, two young hobbits were playing at the river when one of them found a ring. It was a beautiful ring. The finder's companion grew jealous of his friend's luck and demanded the ring for himself but when his demands were refused, he resorted to murder. It was this evil act that transformed the kind hobbit known as Smeagol into the foul creature Gollum ― cursed and shunned by all.

The statues of the two brothers in the pouring rain of May 2020/ Robert Neff Collection

There is another fictitious tale of money and rivers ― this one about Korea ― and it predates Tolkien's publication by more than a decade. What makes it even more enchanting is that it was written by a twelve-year-old American boy named Mark Winton Woods in 1921.

In a letter to his aunt, Woods explained that he was inspired to write the story by a Korean silver piece in his collection that had always intrigued him as it had no writing or date upon it. It was only natural that he was curious about its history and so he let his imagination guide his pen and provided one.

Rather than attempt to paraphrase his story, I have decided to include it in full:

"Tom was reading a book when the door opened. He looked up to see who it was. His father had come from office for dinner.

Tom's father reached in his pocket and took out a thing that looked like a silver nugget. He handed it to Tom, saying 'Mr. Jones sent it to you. I think that will make a very fine addition to your collection of coins.'

Tom replied: 'Why, that's not a coin, it's just a lump of silver.'

'Wait till after dinner, then I will tell you all that I know about it,' replied his father.

The eldest brother looking out across the river in May 2020/ Robert Neff Collection

Tom could hardly wait till after dinner. Finally they finished eating, and his father went into the living room and sat down before the fireplace. Tom brought the mysterious silver piece and handed it to his father, who began his story like this: First he told him what it was. He said that it was a Korean piece of money called a tael. He could not tell the exact history of it or its exact age, but he told a story of what might have happened to it:

One time Yong, who lived in a hut in the mountains, went to a village near by, to trade a robe for silver. He had a very beautiful robe dyed a brilliant red. He walked up and down the narrow streets looking for someone who would buy the robe. Finally he saw Okoji, a man who lived in the village. This man was very rich. He beckoned for Yong to come to him. He looked at the blanket and said: 'How much do you want for the robe?'

Yong replied: 'Twelve pieces of silver.' Okoji reached in his purse and drew forth the twelve pieces of silver and handed them to Yong. Okoji took the blanket and walked on down the street. Yong went home very happy. As he crossed the River Yalu, he was counting his money. One of the pieces of silver slipped from his hand and fell into the river. He was unable to recover it, so he went on.

Some 200 years had passed when Ito, a fisherman's son, was fishing by the river, when he saw something shining in the sand. It was the piece dropped from Yong's hand. Ito spent it and so it changed hands many times, and in this way it was handed down year after year, until Mr. Jones, who was a world explorer visiting Korea, found it. Mr. Jones was a great friend of Tom's father, and happened to know that Tom was collecting coins, and so he sent it to him as a present.

Over the next couple of days the rain continued to fall and the river rose ― this is the last image of the two brothers I have taken in May 2020. The subsequent flood destroyed the monument. Robert Neff Collection

That night Tom dreamed that he and Yong were talking by the River Yalu together and that a giant fish kept diving to the river bed and rising again to the surface; each time that he did this he laid at Tom's feet a silver tael. The fish kept doing this till Yong and Tom became exceedingly rich. Then the fish called out 'Farewell,' and swam away down the river. Tom woke with a start and found that he was in his bed at night."

It is a wonderful tale, one that I hope ― along with the coin ― is still treasured by the family. So many things that we treasure are eventually lost, sometimes forever, but other times they are rediscovered and are passed on to another ― a treasure for them to cherish for a period of time before they, too, lose it.

My appreciation to Diane Nars for her invaluable assistance. She is a treasure whom I hope I do not lose.

The brothers are gone in this picture taken in January 2023― now only an empty deck remains as a testament that treasures along the river are easily lost. Robert Neff Collection

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.