Basic Info.

​A scholar saves a family of magpies from a snake by shooting it with an arrow. That night, while seeking shelter in the mountains, he stays in a hut where he is welcomed by a mysterious and beautiful woman. She transforms into the snake’s wife and threatens the scholar, saying she will spare him only if the temple bell rings three times before dawn. Despairing, the scholar hears the bell ring three times at the last moment and is released. Later, he finds the magpies dead near the temple bell, their heads crushed as they rang the bell to repay his kindness.​

Additional Info.

​"The Magpie’s Reward" is a Korean legend about gratitude and sacrifice. A scholar saves a magpie family from a snake by shooting it with an arrow. That night, while looking for a place to stay, he is welcomed by a mysterious young woman who later reveals herself to be the snake’s vengeful wife. She threatens the scholar, promising to release him only if the temple bell rings three times before dawn. Just as he loses hope, the bell rings. The next day, he finds the magpies dead near the bell, their heads bloodied from striking it to save him.​

Key Characters:

​"Scholar: A kind-hearted person who saves the magpies and later becomes a monk. Magpies: Grateful animals that sacrifice their lives to save the scholar. Snake’s Wife: A vengeful figure who tries to take revenge on the scholar. Cultural Note: This story emphasizes the concept of repaying kindness, a central theme in Korean moral tales."​​