A JOKER

June 1988


One day I stopped by a very special drugstore where somebody was introducing how to take an emergency measure when we are bitten by a poisonous snake.  He was ardently teaching everyone in attendance.  He said, "Do you know which way is the best one when you are bitten in your foot by a cobra or a kind of pit viper if you are hiking or mountain climbing?  The best way is cutting down the leg near the foot forward to the heart, because the poison that snake has is too dangerous.  If you don't do like this you shall die soon."  He asked more, "What do you have to do when you are bitten in you knee by a poisonous snake?  You should cut down the part of the leg between the knee and thigh if you want to live.  How about your hand?  You cut down the part of the arm between the wrist and elbow."  We were very seriously watching and listening.  He asked us one more.  "How about, if you are bitten in your head or face?  Then you have to cut down the neck because this is the closest part to the head, and forward to the heart.  The reason for cutting your neck is subsistence.  If you want to live, cut down your neck!"  Many people left with a smile.


   -Dongsam Cho