Shadows

Many shadows must surround a child for them to grow well.
They should have the shadow of their mother and father,
The shadows of their grandparents should be drawn like the sky's shadow,
The shadows of their aunts, uncles, and cousins,
The shadows of their elder and younger brothers,
All these shadows should be abundant like a harvest,
If there are shadows of their older sisters, older brothers,
It's like a cherry on top.

They should push, pull, turn them upside down,
Step on them, crumple them, and embrace them while playing.
They should fight, argue, dislike the shadows,
Then reconcile, shake hands again, and sit side by side to eat
While saying, "When did that happen?"
They should separate and come out,
And happily, grow alone, enduring solitude once again.

They must have the shadow of their mother and father,
But there are children without the shadow of their mother and father.
Some children lack their mother's shadow,
While others lack their father's shadow.
Without shadows, some children may experience fear.

Growing amidst various shadows, children seek another shadow.
Some seek the shadow of Einstein,
While others blend in with the shadow of Park Soo-geun.*
When essential shadows like the shadows of mother and father are absent,
Who should replace those shadows?
When I didn't have my father's shadow,
My grandfather's shadow stepped in and averted the crisis.
Even children without a grandfather's shadow
Could have their teacher as a substitute.
But there are children without even the shadow of their teacher.

Sometimes, it's difficult to find shadows no matter where you look.
In such cases, you can turn to books,
Because they are filled with shadows of love.
If you grow within those shadows, you will flourish.

*Park Soo-geun: Famous Korean painter