KONG-GI, THE KOREAN CINDERELLA
A long time ago there was a girl named Kong-Gi who lived with a wicked stepmother and a stepsister, Pat-Gi. Kong-Gi was very beautiful and diligent in contrast to the ugly and lazy Pat-Gi.
One day, there was a big parade for the new lord of that village. Everyone wanted to attend this marvelous event, including Kong-Gi. But stepmother ordered her to first do the following chores: a cracked bottle with water; sort the rice form the bean mixture; and plow a field with a wooden hoe.
Then she could go to the parade. Kong-Gi was very disappointed. At that time, a big frog, a flock of sparrows, and a cow came to her and helped her work. Frog stopped up the cracked bottle, sparrows sorted the rice from the rice-bean mixture, and cow plowed the field. And then, Kong-Gi's late mother who had become a fairy in heaven appeared before her and gave her a pair of beautiful shoes and a colorful dress.
During the parade, Kong-Gi lost one of her shoes on the river bank and the lord found it. He became very curious about its owner, because it was a very lovely shoe. He ordered his servants to search for her so finally they could meet each other. When they met it was love at first sight.
They married and lived happily ever after.
This story teaches us that heaven helps those who are diligent.