English through Mythology – the Legend of Ondal (온달의 전설)

The Legend of Ondal: Creative Dialogue

온달의 전설 : 대화

Instructions: Please read the sample dialogue (대화). After reading the sample dialogue, please make up a new dialogue (새로운 대화) about Ondal, Mount Sobaek and Guinsa Temple. Good luck!

Sample dialogue: Cheol-su tells Ji-hye about Ondal

Ji-hye and Cheol-su are visiting Danyang. In this dialogue, Cheol-su tells Ji-hye the story of Ondal and Princess Pyonggang.

Ji-hye: I’m really enjoying our trip to Danyang. I’m glad that we came to the Royal Azalea Festival (철쭉제)!

Cheol-su: Me too! I think Danyang is one of the most beautiful places in South Korea!

Ji-hye: By the way, have you noticed the cartoon characters (만화 인물) that we see everywhere? The two characters seem to be the mascots of Danyang. Who are they?

Cheol-su: The man is Ondal. The woman is Princess Pyonggang.

Ji-hye: Is there a story about them?

Cheol-su: Yes, there is. Don’t you know the legend of Ondal? When she was very young (어렸을때), Princess Pyonggang often cried (울었다). Her father, the king, wanted her to stop crying. He warned her that he would force her to marry Ondal if she did not stop crying.

Ji-hye: What was wrong with Ondal?

Cheol-su: Ondal was a local idiot. Anyway, when she was older, Princess Pyonggang decided that she wanted to marry Ondal. She had a very positive influence (영향) on him. Although Ondal seemed to be an idiot, he became a great general (장군).

Ji-hye: Where can we read this story? Is it in the Samguk Yusa, ‘Anecdotes of the Three Kingdoms’ (삼국유사)?

Cheol-su: No, I think we can read the legend of Ondal in the Samguk Sagi, the ‘Record of Three Kingdoms’ (삼국사기).

Ji-hye: How interesting! Since we’re in Danyang, let’s try to learn more about General Ondal and Princess Pyonggang. Maybe there’s a museum (박물관) or something…

Cheol-su: Actually, I asked several local people (지방 사람들) about sights related to Ondal. I think there’s a castle nearby, but I don’t know whether it’s interesting.

Ji-hye: Well, what do you think? Shall we go to Ondal’s castle, or shall we climb Mount Sobaek instead?

Cheol-su: It’s up to you. You can decide.

Ji-hye: I think it would be better to climb Mount Sobaek. I’ve heard that there are great views from the summit (꼭대기). It’s May, so we can see royal azalea flowers (철쭉) blooming on the mountain.

Cheol-su: That sounds great! Let’s go!

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Instructions: Now it’s your turn to make up a new dialogue (새로운 대화) about Ondal, Mount Sobaek and Guinsa Temple. You have six minutes to prepare. Good luck!