The Vanity of The Rat

The Vanity of the Rat
Y.T. Pyun
In Korea, it was formerly the custom for parents to arrange their children’s
marriages. Mr and Mrs. Rat were anxious for their daughter, Rena, to marry into a
respectable family.
At first, they had thought that Mr. Sun was the most high-stationed and well-
descended person they knew that they decided he was the right person to marry their
daughter.
“Hello, Mr. Sun,” said Mr. Rat importantly. “I would like you to know that my
daughter, Rena, is old enough to marry now, and that we would be very pleased to
welcome you into our family as Rena’s husband. We chose you from all the men we
know because of your high position and your great power.”
“Your offer is indeed kind, Mr. Rat” replied the smiling Mr. Sun, who had no
desire to marry a member of the Rat family. “I feel that it is only fair to tell you, however,
that I am not the most powerful person of your acquaintance. I would like to recommend
you to Mr. Cloud, who can cover up my face and keep me from shining.”
“Yes, of course, of course! Mr. Cloud is certainly more powerful,” said Mr. Rat as
he and his wife went to see the gentleman.
When Mr. Cloud heard of Mr. Rat’s offer, he too was not eager to choose his wife
from the House of Rats. He waved his hands, saying, “You seem not to know that there
is one who is more worthy of your honor than I. Though I sometimes get better of Mr.
Sun, I am still a mere servant of Mr. Wind. His blast and growl make me go anywhere
he pleases, whether I want to or not.
Leaving Mr. Cloud, Mr. Rat mumbles to his wife, “Mr. Wind is indeed much more
powerful; much more powerful. He is certainly the proper husband for our daughter.
Once again Mr. Rat offered the hand of his daughter in marriage, but Mr. Wind
was no more anxious than the other’s to become Mr. Rat’s son-in-law. Laughing
hoarsely, he said, “I am indeed powerful enough, for forests tremble and ships toss in
fear of me. But there is more powerful than I. It is Mr. Wall. He sets his strong legs firm
upon the earth and stands immovable in my way, arms folded, eyes blinking. But for
him, how could I meddle in the lives of families?”
And it was said, Mr. Wind gave me another laugh and whizzed on. Wondering
how his wise brain could ever have overlooked so powerful and close a neighbor, Mr.
Rat visited Mr. Wall, who likewise apologized. “It is quite true that I, without any sign
outward exertion, can check the progress of the wind, which commands the cloud,
which overpowers the sun. But what am I to you, O Mr. Rat. You prosperous race can
undermine me and make me fall in the twinkling of an eye, if need be. Oh, Mr. Rat, I am
at your mercy.”
“How true, how very true!” Mr. Rat said proudly. “Of course the race of rats is the
most powerful of all. And my glorious race is next to none – yes, next to none is
respectability.
“The only person for our darling Rena to marry is another rat.”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Rat. “And I would know just the person: that nice Roger Rat who
seems to like Rena so much. And his parents are such good friends of ours, too.
“Old Roland Rat’s boy? An excellent idea,” agreed Mr. Rat. “Let’s see if he is in
now.”
When Roger Rat appeared, Mr. and Mrs. Rat told him of their offer, which he
accepted immediately. They led him to their hole, where they found Rena who giggled
coyly, hanging on to her mother’s hand. Although she tried not to let Roger know how
she felt, she was very much delighted that her parents were arranging for her to marry
him. Like most Korean girls, she was shy when she was with biys.
Mr. an Mrs. Rat were every bit as pleased as Rena and Roger were about the
arrangement. And Mr. Rat was convinced that he made the best possible match for his
daughter.
______________________________________
Let’s think it up!
1. Words for study: Give the meaning of the following words and use each word in a
sentence.
a. vanity
b. meddle
c. prosperous
d. anxious
e. hoarse
f. apologize
2. Why did Mr. and Mrs. Rat offer first their daughter, Rena, for marriage to Mr.
Sun?
3. Why did Mr. Sun refuse the offer of Mr. and Mrs. Rat?
4. Why did Mr. Cloud, Mr. Wind, and Mr. Wall also refuse to get married to Rena?
5. To whom did Rena finally get married?

6. Give the moral lesson that may be derived from the story, and explain its
implication to man’s way of life.

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5. To whom did Rena finally get married?

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