Inhyun swung the stick at Gildong.
In a flash Gildong grabbed Inhyun's arm.
He flipped Inhyun onto the ground.
"Ahh!" Inhyun cried.
Inhyun's mother, Lady Yoo, rushed out.
"He beat me with a stick!
And he threw me across the yard!" Inhyun said between sobs.
"He's lying," Gildong said.
"He tried to beat me with a stick." Heme
Lady Yoo narrowed her eyes.
"How dare you hurt my son!
I'll tell my husband about this.
He'll make you pay for it."
She grabbed Inhyun's hand and they walked away.
Gildong sighed.
"These two will get me in more trouble with Lord Hong!"
For three days and nights, Gildong had to stay in his room.
By the third day of his punishment, he was bored.
Late that night he sneaked outside.
He climbed a tree and looked up at the moon.
"Would things be better if Mother was alive?" he thought.
"I feel so alone in this house."
In the moonlight Gildong saw something moving below.
It was Lord Hong.
"Why are you out here, Gildong?" he asked.
Gildong said nothing.
"Speak," Lord Hong said.
"Why can't I call you Father?" Gildong blurted out.
Tears ran down his cheeks.
Lord Hong sighed.
"It is the law of the land. You know that."
"Why is it the law of the land? It's cruel," Gildong said.
"The law makes me an outcast in this house."
"Stop speaking nonsense," Lord Hong said.
"You're not the only lowborn child of a noble.
You must accept your position."
Gildong knew he shouldn't say more.
But he couldn't stop himself.
"What if I can't accept it?"
"Enough. Your punishment isn't over.
Get back to your room," Lord Hong said.
Gildong jumped down and obeyed.
One day Gildong met a new servant named Mongdol.
Mongdol looked closely at Gildong's face.
"Tee-hee-hee. You're Gildong, the servant's son!"
"I'm not a servant. My mother was," Gildong said.
Mongdol grinned.
"There's nothing wrong with being a servant."
Gildong was surprised.
Most of the servants ignored him or talked behind his back.
This one seemed friendly and curious.
"I'm all alone in this house because of my birth," Gildong said.
"Tee-hee-hee. I'll be your friend," Mongdol said.
"My friend?" Gildong had never had a friend before.
"Everyone says you're very strong.
Want to arm-wrestle?" Mongdol asked.
"Sure," Gildong said.
The two arm-wrestled, but neither won.
"You are very strong indeed," Mongdol said.
Gildong grinned. "Let's wrestle again!"
