The 100th Customer

(교과서 p. 161)

One day, an elderly woman walked into a restaurant. She was with her grandson. Quietly, the woman asked Mr. Kang, the owner of the restaurant. “How much is a bowl of Gukbap?” “It’s 4,000 won, ma’am,” Mr. Kang answered with a smile. She was too poor to pay for two bowls. She ordered a single bowl for her grandson.

(교과서 p. 162)

“Are you sure you are not hungry, Grandma?” the boy asked, as he ate the hot soup. “No, I’m not hungry. Don’t worry about me.” She picked up some Gimchi and chewed on it happily.

Mr. Kang watched them eat, and a warm feeling came over him. He thought up a plan to give the boy a free meal. When the woman was about to pay, Mr. Kang waved his hands and said, “No need, ma’am. In my restaurant, you don’t pay if you’re the 100th customer of the day.” The woman and her grandson thanked Mr. Kang and left.

(교과서 p. 163)

A month later, Mr. Kang saw the boy in the street outside the restaurant. The boy was gathering stones. “What are you doing?” asked Mr. Kang. “I’m counting the number of customers who enter your restaurant. Today is my grandma’s birthday.” ‘He wants to be the 100th customer and treat his grandmother to a bowl of Gukbap!’ Mr. Kang said to himself.

Mr. Kang looked down. He could see that the number of stones was not yet even fifty. He had to do something to help the boy gather 100 stones. Mr. Kang went back into the restaurant and called his friends. “Come to my restaurant now and bring everyone who works with you. There is a boy who needs your help.”

(교과서 p. 164)

People began to arrive at the restaurant. When the 99th customer arrived, Mr. Kang heard the boy say, “It’s our turn, Grandma.” Mr. Kang welcomed them and served the woman a free bowl of Gukbap.

“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” the woman asked the boy. The boy chewed loudly on some Gimchi and said with a smile, “No, I’m not hungry, Grandma. Don’t worry about me. Happy birthday!”