Taming the Tiger

    By Nassim

    Taming the Tiger cover image

    29 Jan, 2024

    a man in a kimono walking down a street in front of a storefront with a red awning, serial art, a character portrait, An Gyeon, official art

    Ahn Geum-hoo's heart was heavy as he approached the butcher's shop. His younger brother's health was declining, and the only remedy required fresh animal blood. Yet, every butcher in the village had turned him away.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a building with a mountain in the background and a barrel of water in the foreground, dau-al-set, a character portrait, Du Jin, character portrait

    Then, there was Nobody. A man of few words, with a reputation that intimidated the village folk. He was the only one willing to help, but he had his own conditions.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a building with a bowl of food on the table, sots art, a character portrait, Du Jin, official art

    The first step in Geum-hoo's plan was to give Nobody a name. He decided to call him Beom, a name that symbolized strength in their culture. He hoped that by giving him a name, he could humanize him.

    two asian men standing next to each other in front of a building with mountains in the background and a sky, serial art, a comic book panel, An Gyeon, official art

    Geum-hoo was patient with Beom. He gradually explained his situation, his desperation to save his brother. Beom listened, his stern face softening as he began to understand Geum-hoo's plight.

    a woman in a kitchen preparing food on a cutting board with a knife and a pot on the counter, sots art, a character portrait, Byeon Sang-byeok, handsome

    Next, Geum-hoo invited Beom to his home. He introduced him to his brother, to their humble world. Beom had never experienced such warmth, such kindness before.

    a man in a kimono is cutting up a piece of paper with a knife and a bowl of sauce, sots art, a character portrait, Du Jin, official art

    Moved by their circumstances, Beom agreed to provide the fresh animal blood for the medicine. In return, all he asked was for Geum-hoo's friendship. A bond was beginning to form between them.

    a man cutting a pig in a kitchen with a bowl of fruit and a bowl of meat on the table, fantastic realism, a storybook illustration, Byeon Sang-byeok, official art

    Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Beom continued to deliver fresh animal blood, and Geum-hoo's brother was gradually getting better. The village folk started noticing the change in Beom.

    a man standing in front of a crowd of people in a street with lanterns hanging from the ceiling and a woman standing in front of the crowd, serial art, a comic book panel, Du Jin, official art

    Beom was no longer a nobody. He was a part of their community now. He had a name, a purpose, and most importantly, a friend. The wild tiger had indeed been tamed.

    a man in a kimono is eating a meal of food on a table with a vase of flowers, sots art, a painting, Du Jin, official art

    One day, Geum-hoo invited Beom to a feast at his home. It was a celebration of his brother's recovery. Beom was the guest of honor. It was a joyous occasion that marked the start of a new chapter.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a group of people in a courtyard with a red ball, serial art, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, official art

    That night, as the villagers danced and sang, Geum-hoo looked at Beom. He saw a man who had changed, who had embraced a new world. He felt grateful for this friendship that had saved his brother's life.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a line of people in a street with food on the tables, serial art, a comic book panel, An Gyeon, official art

    From that day forward, Beom was no longer just a butcher. He was a friend, a hero, a pillar of their community. He had found a place where he belonged, a world that embraced him.

    a man in a kimono and a tiger in a forest with trees and leaves in the background,, furry art, a character portrait, Emperor Huizong of Song, official art

    In the end, Geum-hoo realized that it wasn't just about taming a wild tiger. It was about opening up a world of compassion, friendship, and humanity to someone who had been nothing but a nobody.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a tree with pink blossoms on it's branches, sots art, a character portrait, An Gyeon, official art

    And as for Beom, he realized that he was not a beast to be feared. He was a man with a heart capable of kindness. He was not Nobody; he was Beom, a friend to Geum-hoo and a hero to the village.

    a man and woman standing next to each other in front of a building with a sky background and a building with a pagoda, sots art, a character portrait, Du Jin, official art

    Their story became a legend in the village, a tale of friendship, change, and survival. It was a reminder that even the wildest of tigers could be tamed with love and understanding.

    two asian men standing next to each other in front of a building with a mountain in the background and a sky with clouds, serial art, a painting, An Gyeon, official art

    And so, Ahn Geum-hoo and Beom continued to live in the village, their bond stronger with each passing day. They were a testament to the power of compassion, proving that even in desperate times, humanity could prevail.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a building with a mountain in the background and trees, ukiyo-e, a character portrait, Emperor Huizong of Song, official art

    With time, Beom became a part of the village's folklore, a symbol of change and acceptance. His story was a beacon of hope, a reminder that everyone deserves a chance at redemption.

    a man and woman standing in a room with food on the table and a pot of food on the table, classical realism, a stock photo, Byeon Sang-byeok, official art

    And as for Geum-hoo, he was forever grateful to Beom. Not only had he saved his brother's life, but he had also taught him the true meaning of friendship and compassion.

    a painting of two people sitting on a bench in front of a building with flowers in the background and a sky with clouds, fantasy art, a detailed painting, Byeon Sang-byeok, stanley artgerm lau

    One day, as the sun set, Geum-hoo and Beom sat on the porch, sharing stories and laughter. They had come a long way from where they started, and they were proud of the journey they had taken together.

    a man in a kimono standing in a room with food on the table and people in the background, sots art, a character portrait, Du Jin, rossdraws global illumination

    In the quiet of the evening, Geum-hoo turned to Beom and thanked him. He thanked him for his friendship, for his bravery, for being a part of their world.

    a man in a kimono with a tiger on his shoulder in front of him and a pagoda in the background, sots art, a character portrait, An Gyeon, rossdraws global illumination

    Looking into the distance, Beom smiled. He was no longer Nobody. He was Beom, the tamed tiger, the friend, the hero. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

    a man and woman in traditional japanese dress standing in front of a building at night with a lantern hanging from the ceiling, sots art, a detailed painting, An Gyeon, official art

    That night, as they sat under the starlit sky, they made a promise. A promise to always look out for each other, to face every challenge together. For in their hearts, they knew they had found a bond that was unbreakable.

    a man in a kimono standing in a forest with a tiger in front of him and a mountain behind him, sots art, a character portrait, Dai Jin, official art

    And so, their story continues, a tale of two friends who tamed a tiger and found a world they could call their own. A world where everyone had a name, a purpose, and a place they belonged.

    a man sitting next to a tiger in a forest with trees and bushes behind him, with a woman in a green kimono, furry art, a storybook illustration, Chen Hong, official art

    In the end, it wasn't just about taming a tiger. It was about understanding, acceptance, and love. It was about finding a place in the world, and making that place a home.

    two men standing in front of a full moon with a sky background and a full moon behind them, with a full moon in the distance, serial art, poster art, Baiōken Eishun, official art

    And as Ahn Geum-hoo and Beom looked into the night sky, they knew they had found their world. A world where they could be themselves, where they could be more than just a name.

    a man in a kimono holding a book in a kitchen with pots and pans on the wall, sots art, a character portrait, Byeon Sang-byeok, character portrait

    A world where a simple butcher could become a hero, where a desperate brother could find hope. A world where a wild tiger could be tamed, and a nobody could become a somebody.