Once upon a time, deep, deep in the heart of the mountains,
lived a most unusual tiger.
He was huge, with flashing eyes that could strike fear into anyone—
the very image of a king of the forest.
And yet… he never touched meat.
Instead, he happily munched on nothing but greens!

옛날 옛적, 깊고 깊은 산골짜기에 참 특이한 호랑이가 살고 있었어요.
덩치는 크고 눈빛은 번쩍번쩍—딱 봐도 산의 제왕 같은데… 이상하게도 이 호랑이는 고기는 쳐다도 안 보고 풀떼기만 냠냠 먹는답니다!

Bitter spring cabbage, fragrant water parsley, sweet gomchwi leaves…
“This is basically fit for a king’s royal feast!” he’d say, smacking his lips.

쌉쌀한 봄동, 향긋한 미나리, 달콤한 곰취…
“이건 거의 임금님 수라상이라니까!” 하며 쩝쩝.

Other tigers could only gawk and shake their heads.
“Tsk, tsk. A tiger who eats plants?
What’s the point of all those sharp teeth and claws?”

다른 호랑이들은 어이없어 혀를 차며 말했죠.
“쯧쯧, 호랑이 주제에 풀을 뜯다니.
그 날카로운 이빨이랑 발톱은 장식이냐?”

But the vegetarian tiger would just smile and reply,
“Oh, you don’t know what you’re missing!
These greens are nutty and crunchy—absolutely delicious.
They keep the body healthy and the heart calm. What could be better?”

“아니, 이 맛있는 나물을 왜 몰라?
고소하고 아삭한 게 아주 꿀맛이라니까.
몸도 좋아지고 마음도 편안해져. 이보다 좋은 게 어딨어!”
호랑이가 말했어요.

Then one morning, while gazing at his reflection in the spring,
he was startled.
Something was stuck between his teeth!

어느 날 아침, 샘물에 얼굴을 비춰보다가 깜짝 놀랐어요.
입 사이에 뭔가 끼어 있었거든요.

A stubborn stalk of wild greens was lodged right between his giant fangs.
No matter how he wriggled his tongue or wrinkled his nose, it wouldn’t budge.
At last, he gently reached in with a claw and pulled it out.

바로 억센 나물 줄기 하나가 송곳니에 딱 걸려 있었던 거예요!
혀로 밀어내도, 코를 씰룩여도 안 빠지고…
결국 앞발로 살짝, 조심조심 빼냈죠.

Holding up the tiny green strand, the tiger burst into a radiant smile.
“There you are! I found you, my precious little thing~!”

그 나물 조각 하나를 꺼내며 환하게 웃는 호랑이—
“찾았다! 드디어 나왔다! 이 귀한 녀석이~”

He was so thrilled, he wiggled his rump and wagged his tail like a happy pup.

기뻐서 엉덩이를 실룩, 꼬리까지 살랑살랑 흔드는 모습은 마치 강아지 같았다네요.

And so, the tiger continues to live peacefully in the sun-drenched forest,
munching on his beloved greens.

그렇게 호랑이는 오늘도 나물을 냠냠, 햇살 가득한 산속에서 평화롭게 살고 있어요.

No matter what anyone says, he always declares:
“Greens are my treasure. Let people say what they want—
as long as I’m full and happy, that’s all that matters!”

그리고 누가 뭐래도 늘 이렇게 말하죠.
“나물은 내 보물이야. 남들이 뭐라든, 내가 배부르고 행복하면 그만이지!”