Long ago, there were two brothers who lived in a poor rural village. The older brother was greedy, cruel, and always looking for an easy gain, while the younger brother was kind, hardworking, and deeply devoted to his family, though he owned very little. Their different choices in life would soon lead them down very different paths.
One stormy day, the younger brother went into the mountains to gather firewood. As night fell, a violent storm forced him to seek shelter in an abandoned house hidden among the trees. Hungry, cold, and frightened, he curled up in a corner and waited for the rain to pass. Late that night, strange figures suddenly appeared. A group of Dokkaebi, mischievous goblin spirits from Korean folklore, burst into the house, laughing and dancing wildly. They carried a magical club and chanted loudly as they struck the floor, and gold and silver poured out onto the ground with every blow.
Terrified, the younger brother tried not to make a sound. His stomach growled from hunger, and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a hazelnut he had found earlier in the forest. He bit into it as quietly as he could, but the nut cracked with a sharp, echoing sound. The Dokkaebi froze in fear, mistaking the noise for thunder or a divine punishment. Panicking, they fled into the darkness, leaving the magical club behind.
When morning came, the younger brother carefully took the club home. From that day on, his life changed. The club brought him wealth, but he never became selfish. Instead, he shared his fortune with the poor and helped neighbors in need, earning respect throughout the village.
When the older brother heard the story, his heart filled with jealousy and greed. Believing he could trick fate, he copied his brother’s actions. He went to the mountain, entered the abandoned house, and waited, carrying a large bag of hazelnuts. When the Dokkaebi appeared and began chanting, he deliberately cracked a hazelnut loudly, expecting them to flee in terror once again.
This time, however, the Dokkaebi were not fooled. They recognized him immediately and shouted in anger, realizing he was trying to deceive them for personal gain. Instead of running away, they attacked him, beating him badly and using their magic to turn all his possessions into worthless trash. Broken and humiliated, the older brother returned home with nothing but injuries and regret.
This tale teaches a clear lesson. Greed destroys happiness, and those who try to exploit kindness for selfish profit will face consequences. True fortune comes from honesty and a pure heart, not from imitation or deceit. In this story, the Dokkaebi act as moral guardians, rewarding sincerity while punishing cunning and greed, reminding us that justice may arrive in unexpected forms.