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knows you are waiting, but he—he wishes to make sure the kite is perfect in every way for you."
    The King nodded. He turned to his courtiers and gestured with one hand. "All of you are to take the palanquin and wait at the bottom of the hill."
    "Your Majesty does not wish any of us to remain?" The man who seemed to be the adviser spoke.
    "No. I have no need of assistance. I am merely going to fly a kite." The King seemed impatient.
    Young-sup left his kite on the ground and began to follow the others. "Not you," said the King. "You stay."
    ***
    The guards, servants, and adviser marched down the hill with the empty palanquin. Then the King turned to Young-sup. "I am thinking that I should practice before I fly my new kite."

    "Your Majesty is very wise." Young-sup hesitated. "If there is any way I can be of assistance..."
    The King glanced down the hill at his coterie, then back at Young-sup. "Yes. There is one thing, to begin with. I recall you and your brother last time. You were calling out, shouting to each other. In my travels through the city streets I have heard other boys talk like this."
    He paused for a moment. Young-sup thought that the King looked almost embarrassed—then chided himself for having such a thought. Why would the King feel ashamed in front of a lowly subject like himself ?
    The King continued, "I wish to learn this kind of speech. It cannot be done in the presence of others. But here, on this hillside, I wish for us to speak to each other as you did to your brother."
    Young-sup was horrified. Talk to the King like a
brother? Me
mumbled, "I could try. If that is what Your Majesty desires."
    The King spoke with what sounded almost like a
sigh. "It is what I desire, but perhaps it is not possible. For either of us."

    An awkward silence fell between the two boys. Young-sup felt fidgety but forced himself to remain still. He looked down the hill at the Kings attendants and wondered what it would be like to be a boy giving commands to grown men.
    Giving commands ... Young-sup's face brightened suddenly. He bowed his head to the King. "Your Majesty?"
    "Yes?"
    "You could make it a command."
    "A command?" The King looked puzzled—then broke into a grin. "Ah, I see! It must be done correctly, then. What is your name?"
    "My father is Rice Merchant Lee, Your Majesty. My name is Young-sup, and my brother is Kee-sup."
    "Lee Young-sup. When we are alone, you are to speak to me as you speak to your brother. I hereby command you!"
    And for the first time Young-sup and the King laughed together.
    ***
    The King was a good flying student. While lacking
Young-sup's natural instinct for flying, he still possessed a better understanding of the wind than Kee-sup had at first. His attempts to launch the tiger kite on his own were unsuccessful, but he did very well at keeping the kite in the air once Young-sup helped him get it there. On Young-sup's advice, the King took off his heavy robe to allow him freer movement. All afternoon the two boys took turns flying, until the sun began to dip below the hilltop.

    It was not so difficult for Young-sup to teach the King about flying. To teach him about speaking was another matter entirely.
    Young-sup began by explaining. "You know the polite form of speaking—how you use different words to speak to someone older or someone in a higher position? For example, when I thank my father for something, I must use formal words—'Father, I appreciate your kindness.' But to our servant Hwang I might say, 'Thanks, Hwang.'"
    The King was holding the reel. He looked doubtful and stared up at the kite for a moment. Then his face cleared a bit. "I remember my lessons, when I was about eight years of age. The court ministers were most annoyed. They kept repeating that I no longer had to address anyone as a superior."
    Young-sup listened in astonishment. "Not even
your parents?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

    The King spoke solemnly. "My father, His