Culture Headlight 외부 1차 교정.docx
[Culture Headlight]
Where Are the Daddy-Long-Legs?
Kim So-young, Society Reporter, rlathrhd1313@mju.ac.kr
You probably read the book, Daddy-Long-Legs, as a required reading when you were an elementary student. Daddy-Long-Legs’ story is about a girl who has no parents and writes a letter once a month as a condition for financial sponsorship from an unknown donor. In this book, it is remarkable that the sponsor supports the main character in silence, even though he falls in love with her. Then, what about in our society? Are there any ‘Daddy-Long-Legs?’
Many university students volunteer with community service during their vacations. Taking pictures of these experiences are a must. Many office workers take pictures after they do community service as well. Even politicians, who have the duty to be good people to represent citizens, take these pictures and the photos become their pride and joy. Do you think this ‘picture-taking’ is essential? Where are the ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ in our community?
In this community, the people who receive attention are ‘Daddy-Long-Legs.’ Yu Jae-Seok, who is called the nation’s MC, is a topic because of his good deeds done in silence. He donated 20 million won to briquette-bank last year, as well as many other activities. Also, Yu Jae-seok donates in his program, Infinite Challenge (called Moohandojeon in Korean).
The second topic is the actor Park Hae-jin, who is loved by many people. He donated to Guryong Village, which had a fire accident recently. The more interesting thing is his volunteering. Park Hae-jin volunteered at Guryong Village with his fans and internet bullies. He forgave the internet bullies on the condition that they did community service with Park.
Then are there only famous Daddy-Long-Legs? Of course not. There are Daddy-Long-Legs on your side. Grandmother Na Jong-soon, owner of Jjoggumi restaurant, donates 100 20-kg bags of rice many times. She is another example of someone who donates every year in silence.
The other example is grandfather Shin Do-shik. He is digging a cave for 10 years to develop his local community. He donates about 20 thousand won that is raised by people who visit his cave. His contribution helps students as a scholarship. Like this, donation is not the thing that is done by rich people or is paid a great deal of money.
Of course, there are ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ in other countries as well. A lawyer who lived a simple life in Seattle, America, donated his big fortune to the community when he died. He is the largest donator in Seattle and the 6th largest donator in America. His contribution helps a child research institute, colleges, and the Salvation Army.
Taking pictures after volunteering is important to record our experiences. Of course, there are people who take pictures after volunteering because they want to urge other people to volunteer, but not many people actually do that. Many people take pictures when they are holding a flag that has their group names written on it while staring into the camera with a smile, not photos taken while they were volunteering. Nowadays, many people say that they live in a heartless world. In this world, don’t you think we need more compassionate Daddy-Long-Legs?