- A Stolen Skull
- 1 In June 1908, through a messenger, Gim Byung-ook informed Sahng-jeh-nim that a grave robber had dug up the corpse of Baek Nahm-shin’s father and stolen the skull.
- 2 For the following three nights, Sahng-jeh-nim kept the lamps lit and did not sleep. This was the custom normally followed by a mourner.
- 3 After the third night, He conveyed a message to Nahm-shin: “Do not try to search for the missing skull. Stay in a quiet place away from others. The thief himself will bring the skull to you by the End of Heat.”
- 4 Some of the disciples were concerned about Sahng-jeh-nim staying up for three whole nights. One of them asked, “Why do You exert Yourself like this when those concerned are unaware of it?”
- 5 Sahng-jeh-nim explained, “My only concern is to recover the stolen skull. I do not care whether or not they know of My efforts.”
- 6 Following Sahng-jeh-nim’s orders, Nahm-shin stayed at the secluded Baek-oon Pavilion.
- 7 In July, in the village closest to the grave site, the village leader held a meeting.
- 8 He announced, “We cannot ignore a grave robbery so close to our village. I propose we all search the area, and the Baek family should reward whoever finds the missing skull.” The villagers began to search all around the mountain.
- 9 Hearing of this, the grave robber thought, “Because the family has not offered a ransom for the skull, I’d better take advantage of this opportunity to return it. I can avoid being identified as the thief and get a big reward.”
- 10 The grave robber took the skull to the village leader and said, “After searching everywhere, I luckily came across this.”
- 11 The village leader took the man to see Baek Nahm-shin at Baek-oon Pavilion. This happened on the day called the End of Heat.
- (JSD Dojeon 3,152)