After the Liberation of Korea in 1945
Hakhwa Walnut Cookie began delivering its products to the Korean railroad workers’ cooperative, an organization that sells snacks and basic items on board trains. This contract allowed the company to gain a nationwide renown, by way of people traveling to and from Seoul and provincial cities. Some travelers boarded their train without appropriate gifts for their family back home, but at Cheonan they were always able to pick up a box of walnut cookie to satisfy their children’s sweet tooth. With such as history in the background, Cheonan has now become the city of walnut cookies for Koreans.
One day, a Buddhist monk walked into the store.
The monk, instead of purchasing walnut cookies, or asking for donations, turned his eyes to the book “I am Happier than King David” displayed in front of the counter. He picked up the book, paid the price, and slowly walked out of the store. Grandmother Shim regretted not having stopped the Buddhist monk for a chat, and thought maybe she should have given the monk the book for free. What was done, however, was done, and the money would go to building a new church. She only hoped that the loving light of the Lord shined on the monk’s heart through the book.