Written and Illustrated by Han Sung Min


Since this book is a bit longer than usual other books, readers have to turn pages upward to read the next page. The first scene, which the main character appears, is located in the lower side of the page, and the upper side consists of thick darkness and writings. Since the empty space consisting of darkness has expanded, readers would feel the time of silence there. The poetical texts slowly move upper side one by one as readers turn each page just like the ending credit of movies. All the elements of this picture book are meticulously formed, so that readers will be able to appreciate this book by concentrating on the contents during the moment and the time reading this book. It feels just like inviting readers to an exotic quiet night getting out of fabulous night of the city.
The writer has vividly and excellently presented what he appreciated at Nabamiya Etosha National Park in Africa based on his hands-on experience at the park. By collecting each page of papers, he tried his best to emphasize the original color of papers, and completed his work of art by layering many scenes expressed by paper cutting technique. The unusual experiences, which we have when we are more told by something we cannot see than by something we can see, and the experiences also when we feel free from the worldly concerns after meeting the nature’s wonder that cannot be expressed through words…… The stories the writer has long awaited to tell us in his heart have finally reached us living in somewhat busy city.
During the quiet night, a bird comes along first, and then three elephants appear as well. They all come here to drink water. We also can see giraffes far away from here. Rhinoceros and warthogs visit as well. However, even then, giraffes do not tend to come close.
When hyenas approach, the elephant moves its ears and nose to threaten hyenas. The sensitive giraffe finally comes to this water hole. At the moment when they all approach this water hole to relieve their thirst, they already help and live altogether with their own existences. And according to birds, the next day after this peaceful time passed, lions also visit and leave during the dark night after everyone went away.
This night would be just like another usual night, but their world is so marvelous and wonderous. No one tries to harm others, and they all just co-exist together based on this implicit consent in deep silence. The fact that everyone fully recognizes the natural characters altogether may be the basic and all about co-existence.