6 A lowclass shall not dream High!

Yoon Shik started learning from Baek Chun after he was done with his work in the restaurant in the evening. For a few weeks he found difficulty in learning, holding the brush etc. but soon he grasped the basics. He used to study till late night in the lantern light and used to wake up early morning to memorize the previous day's work. In the restaurant in between breaks he used to take a glance at the notes he has made.

"Ahjussi Jangmi told me that the kids of my age study really hard because they have all kinds of resources. I've to ask him if he can give me some higher level literature books so that I can learn from them," murmured Yoon and put the brush down at the table in its stand. He clasped. His fingers together and fell in a deep thought.

"Jangmi ahjussi told me that the civil services exam is held every three years. So I can give the exam when I become an adult. Means after 9 years I can give that exam. I have to learn classical Chinese, literature, philosophy, astronomical science, art and a little bit of warfare skills. I've to work really hard only then I can be like him and then I'll give justice to my mother and grandma," murmured Yoon.

The door of his room was opened and he turned to look. It was none other than Jang Shiwo, his abeoji (father). "Abeoji, do you want something?," asked Yoon and stood up from the cushion.

"No no, son. I saw the light from your room, that's why I came inside." Shiwo looked at the books at the table nearby Yoon and asked," are you studying?"

"Yes. I was learning how to read and write. I've learned it recently," mumbled Yoon. "Abeoji, you should sleep. It's late night," said Yoon looking at Shiwo.

Shiwo smiled and caressed Yoon Shik's head and said, "I was going to sleep. You should sleep too. If you want to study then study only. You don't have to work." Shiwo's eyes have concern for Yoon which Yoon never saw in his real father's eyes. He recalled his real father used to beat him whenever he used to talk about studies but his adopted father is opposite. It made him teary eyed and he whispered, "Abeoji, thank you for taking us as your children." Yoon Shik broke into tears after all he was a ten years old kid.

Shiwo patted at Yoon Shik's back. "Haha. I'm happy that I've got such a beautiful family. A good son and a good daughter." Yoon Shik rubbed his eyes and told him that he should sleep as it's late night. Shiwo then walked out of the room and told Yoon not to take stress.

The days passed like this and in two months he caught up with many things. He used to take old books from Jangmi's bookstore on rent at a lesser price. Still Baek Chun and Jangmi used to tell him he shouldn't aim for such things which are impossible to achieve by a Sangmin.

"Yoon Shik, you're still behind that thing. Chinese classical and literature is not a cup of tea. You do not know how much trained teachers are being appointed for regal kids and Yangban kids. The time and energy you're wasting in this thing, you should utilize it somewhere." Jangmi adviced Yoon Shik while checking the books for his store.

"Jangmi, give me these books," said Scholar Taehyo . He had worn high silk quality clothes and a long hat (gat in Korean) on his head. Jangmi handed him the books. "I've specially brought this for you from China," whispered Jangmi near Taehyo's ear and smiled.

"I know. Here take this," said Taehyo and handed him a pouch filled with silver coins. "Well there are some old books. I'll send someone tomorrow here with those books," muttered Taehyo. Yoon Shik who was hearing their conversation got happy hearing this. He walked near him.

"Excuse me, Sir," said Yoon Shik. Taehyo looked at Yoon Shik. Jangmi too looked at Yoon. "Yes," Taehyo said.

"Sir, what are those books about?" Yoon Shik asked.

"Those are needed by a Scholar," answered Taehyo.

"Could you please give me those books, Sir? I can pay you," said Yoon Shik with a smile. Jangmi started laughing and then patted at Yoon Shik's shoulder and said, "this kid means that he will take them from your house and then pay it for you." Turning to Yoon Shik, Jangmi said in a low voice, "Yoon Shik you don't have to go. I'll take care of this. Baek Chun is waiting for you. Go there," said Jangmi and gestured to Yoon to go away and smiled.

"Sir, why to bother your man? I will send someone to your house. You don't have to worry," said Jangmi while smiling. Taehyo called his servant inside and told him to carry the books. After that they headed out from there. Jangmi took a breath of relief and shouted Yoon Shik's name. Hearing his name Yoon Shik came out of the room which was on the left side of the counter.

"Ahjussi, why are you shouting?" asked Yoon confusedly. Jangmi sat on the wooden stool there and said, "Yoon Shik, you cannot tell those people about your dream. I mean they are upperclassmen. They will not find it good if they get to know that a low class is trying to do this. Everyone in this world is not good. So, from now on you won't do such a thing." Jangmi warned Yoon Shik. Yoon Shik shook his head while agreeing to him.

"Now, go home. Here, this bag. I've put some old books on your request the previous day. You don't have to return these," said Jangmi. Yoon Shik nodded; thanked him and then left the bookstore.

He was walking through the market street and stood outside a big cloth house. "Hani wanted to have that hanbok dress (traditional women Korean dress)," murmured Yoon looking at a pink silk dress. He took out the money pouch and counted the money. "I don't have enough money. Maybe later," muttered Yoon and turned back when he was hit by some kid and the boy fell on the ground. "Ahh Sorry," apologized Yoon Shik.

The boy got up in anger. "How dare you hit me? You filthy low class," shouted the boy at him. He was the same age as Yoon Shik. Hearing this Yoon became angry.

"I've apologized for my mistake. You don't have to call me a low class," muttered Yoon Shik.

The boy got angry hearing this and almost hit Yoon when someone stopped him. "Chan Sul, don't beat a low class who is not worthy of your touch," declared a boy. Yoon Shik turned to look at who's saying this and it was none other than the boy from the garden, Sung Tae. Sung Tae was with three other boys namely Do Yeong, Ro Sang Pil and Wang Wook.

Sung Tae glared at Yoon Shik. Yoon Shik did not talk with them so she turned to go when Wang Wook snatched the cloth bag which was hanging around Yoon's shoulder. Yoon Shik immediately turned to stop him but it was late.

"Books," murmured Sung Tae. He started laughing so were the others except Do Yeong. Yoon Shik tried snatching it but Ro Sang and Chan Sul held Yoon's arms tightly. Sung Tae then smirking at Yoon Shik threw the books on the ground.

"So, you are actually thinking of becoming like us. A Sangmin is thinking of becoming a Scholar," Sung Tae said, glaring at Yoon.

"Sung Tae, let it be. He's just a layman," Do Yeong said while trying to stop the fight. The people around them were looking at them but no one dared to stop them, not even the people inside the store house who were looking at them.

"Do Yeong, he wants to become like us. Don't you know such people create rebellion in the near future. As the son of the prime minister it is also my duty to check such people, especially such rebellious boys," muttered Sung Tae.

"Leave me," shouted Yoon at them and tried releasing himself.

"Okay, then I won't do anything like beating you. Let's tear these books," Sung Tae declared and looked at his left where his personal guard was standing a few meters away from him. "No, you cannot do this," shouted Yoon. Sung Tae smiled and gestured to his guard to do so. The guard tore the books apart into pieces and then threw them on the ground. Tears started flowing from Yoon Shik's eyes. Sung Tae smirked at Yoon and told Chan Sul and Ro Sang to leave him.

"Why did you do that?" yelled Yoon Shik at Sung Tae.

"To tell you that a low class cannot reach our level." Sung Tae pressed those torn pieces of papers under his shoe. "Feed this in your mind that a low class shall not dream big and whoever tried to do so will be given such punishments," saying this Sung Tae walked ahead of Yoon, hitting at his shoulder.

Do Yeong did not say anything and walked away from there. The people started whispering with each other. Chan Sul, Wang Wook and Ro Sang too hit Yoon's shoulder with theirs and walked ahead when Yoon said, "A person who has a low thinking and has filthy thoughts is a low class."

They all turned to look at him. Yoon too turned to look at Sung Tae and both were glaring at each other. Before Sung Tae could say anything to Yoon Shik, he picked his cloth bag from the ground and ran away from there.