CustomsCustoms

 A Chinese young backpacker traveling alone came to a small Norwegian village and happens to stay at the home of a nudist old man. The old man do favors by  providing free accommodation and meals but only under the condition that the young man has to take off all his clothes like him.The young man turns down his offer in confusion. The old man persuades the young man by insisting that he must take off all his clothes because he has to have nothing to hide to approach the "absolute truth" about each other. The young man just feels coercive, but reluctantly takes off all his clothes to stay in the house. They sit naked and eat Norwegian potato soup together. Unlike the satisfied old man, the young man only feels uncomfortable. Contrary to the old man's intention, the young man rather shut himself out when he becomes naked. The elderly's principle of nudism reflects their willingness to know others better. Regardless of custom with good intentions, it is only self-righteousness without the consideration of the other person. It is a short but accurate fable that asks about the meaning of true hospitality to others. (KIM Kyung-tae)