Long ago, in a small village at the foot of a snowy mountain, there lived a young man named Jibong. Despite the hardships of life, working every day in the forest to chop firewood and care for his elderly mother, he was known for his kindness and gentle heart, never harming any living creature.
One cold winter afternoon, as he walked home through the snow-covered forest, Jibong discovered a white crane, lying helpless on the ground. Its wing had been pierced by a hunter’s arrow, and bright red blood stained the snow. Seeing the bird shivering and near death, Jibong did not hesitate. He removed his worn coat to warm the crane and carried it home, determined to nurse it back to health.
For several weeks, Jibong and his mother shared their meager food to feed the crane. He carefully treated its wing with medicinal leaves from the mountains, and every night, he stayed awake to keep it safe from the cold. Through dedicated care and patience, the crane gradually healed. One sunny spring day, with its wings strong again, the crane soared above Jibong, circling him three times as if to express its gratitude, then flew toward the horizon.
Months later, while Jibong worked in the fields, the familiar cry of the crane echoed through the sky. The bird returned and dropped a golden seed into his hands. Jibong planted the seed in front of his house, and overnight, it sprouted into a magnificent plant with enormous gourds and radiant flowers. When he cut open one of the gourds, it revealed gold, jewels, and fine silk, magically lifting his family out of poverty.
News of this miracle reached a greedy villager, who attempted to imitate Jibong. He wounded another crane and pretended to care for it, hoping for the same reward. But when the crane returned and dropped a golden seed for him, the gourd he opened contained snakes, insects, and phantom soldiers, punishing his greed and cruelty. The greedy man lost everything, while Jibong, now prosperous, shared his wealth with the poor villagers, helping the entire community thrive.
This story teaches that true kindness must come from a pure heart without selfish motives. Nature has a spirit, and those who respect and protect life will be rewarded, while those who act out of greed will face the consequences of their actions.