written and illustrated by Ji Young Woo


“Are you hungry, aren’t you? Come here and have some food!”
Choo, choo, let’s dive into the memory of when we were young by following the path of flowers.
I’m on the way to meet my grandmother’s grandmother.
Deep in the night on a full moon, a child wakes up hungry and begins a journey on a milk carton train with a girl who calls him brother, a bear, a rabbit, and a bird. They wind their way through the mountains, along the path of soft pink flowers, and through a dark forest until they arrive at the grandmother's house, where she always welcomes children with open arms. She is the grandmother of our grandmothers, the one who worries about their meals, the one who has watched over them with loving eyes for so many years, across time, but she has become a little girl. She cooks rice with a colander of fluttering petals, scoops up a bowl of moon to make pancakes, and sets the table for a hearty meal. The writer uses the image of a yellow, round full moon to warmly depict the moment when the children and their grandmother meet.
Flower rice, moon pancakes, and a hearty bowl of side dishes. The grandmother's table is a warm meal that fills the hearts of not only the hungry, but also the sick and hurt children. The round, uncluttered table invites anyone who is hungry to come and sit down. A table of invitation and hospitality, the “moon flower table” reminds us of the meals our bodies and minds remember. A caring and loving meal brings sunshine into a shadowy house like a wilted potted plant, bringing laughter to our ears and filling and gently touching the heart of a hungry child. It keeps the warmth of the rice and side dishes the grandmother packed in a bowl for dad to share. The rice and side dishes will always be delicious and will make you feel energized and loved.