여름밤 [서울 말고]

This summer was an extreme one, with heat advisories upgraded to warnings and oppressive temperatures persisting even at night. Despite daily warnings to limit field work, farmers remained diligent, working early mornings to harvest crops. The intense heat demanded frequent showers, with residents bathing up to six times a day to cope with the sweat.

Even the sunflowers in the village fields began to wilt and droop, marking the end of their bloom before the festival began. At the heart of the village stood a communal well and a reversed oxygen tank, relics from an era when such simple devices served as communication tools. The village was nicknamed "Congdae-Maeul" (bell village), a reference to the bell tolling for urgent village matters before the advent of radio broadcasting.

Nowadays, villagers receive information through village broadcasts, making the bell's ringing a rare occurrence. However, someone stepped forward to preserve this tradition by ringing the bell to announce the village festival. The soft, muffled sound echoed through the sunflower fields, spreading into the lower parts of the village.

Meanwhile, a traditional gathering was held in a neighbor's house, where an elderly sister, having lost her husband, shared homemade snacks, including corn, honey, grapes, and watermelons. I offered books and novels from my collection, but they were quickly taken and appreciated by everyone. An elderly farmer, accustomed to the sun's harsh glare, was surprised to receive a book, a rare sight for him.

He expressed surprise, as selling his harvest was his lifelong occupation, but purchasing books was a novel experience for him. This gesture was a first for many, akin to planting a tree in someone's garden. The writer once dreamed of opening a village library but couldn't muster the funds or motivation. Yet, witnessing the farmer's enthusiasm for the book reminded them of the potential for a village library.

The festival concluded with a communal meal, featuring grilled fish, fruits, and vegetables from the harvest. As the last piece of corn was consumed, the village celebrated under the soft glow of the moon and the gentle sound of the bell ringing, a poignant end to an unforgettable summer.