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영어 그림책을 만나는 시간 15분

『Penguin Problems』의 주인공 펭귄에게는 모든 것이 문제(PROBLEMS)이고, 모든 것이 마음에 들지 않습니다. 친구 펭귄들을 향해 시끄럽다고 하고, 눈으로 가득한 땅에 살면서 눈이 싫다고 합니다. 물고기를 잡아먹으러 바닷속에 들어갔다가는 범고래, 바다 표범, 상어에 쫓겨나오며 불평을 쏟아내지요. 바보같이 뒤뚱뒤뚱 걷고, 날개가 있는데도 날지 못하는 제 모습이 싫습니다. 다른 펭귄들과 똑같이 생긴 점도 마음에 들지 않는다고 투정합니다. 펭귄에게는 그야말로 모든 것이 다 못마땅하기만 하지요. 결국 펭귄은 속이 상해 큰소리로 외칩니다.
“난 문제가 너무 많아. 내 걱정은 누가 해 주냐고!”

그러던 펭귄 앞에 바다코끼리가 나타납니다. 바다코끼리는 펭귄이 생각지 못했던 조언을 해 주지요. 바다코끼리는 아름다운 산과 바다, 구름 한 점 없이 맑은 하늘, 따사로운 햇볕과 친구 펭귄들에 대해 이야기해 주며 어느 누구와도 바꾸고 싶지 않은 자신만의 삶이 있다는 사실을 돌이켜 생각해 보라고 합니다. 펭귄은 바다코끼리의 말을 귀 기울여 듣지 않는 듯합니다. 처음 보는 낯선 바다코끼리가 말을 건넨 것이 마음에 들지 않았나봅니다. 그러나 펭귄은 차츰 마음을 가다듬고 생각에 잠깁니다. 그리고 주위를 돌아보지요. 그제야 너무나 익숙해 조금도 알아차리지 못했던 것들이 펭귄의 눈에 들어오기 시작합니다. 펭귄은 이제 불평불만을 쏟아내는 일을 그만둘 수 있을까요?

I hope you’ll realize that you are exactly where you need to be.

PENGUIN PROBLEMS
JORY JOHN LANE SMITH

It’s way too early.
My beak is cold.
What’s with all the squawking, you guys?
It snowed some more last night, and I don’t even like the snow.
It’s too bright out here.
I’m hungry.
I’d like fish.
Where are all the fish?!
HEY!
FISH!
GET OUT HERE!
The ocean smells too salty today.
I’m not buoyant enough.
I sink like a dumb rock.
It’s way too dark down here.
Brrrr!
​I said, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Oh, great. An orca.
Oh, great.
A leopard seal.
Oh, great. A shark.
What is it with this place?
I don’t like being hunted.
I’m still hungry, but my flippers ache.
I waddle too much. I look silly when I waddle.
See?
​I wish I could fly, but I can’t.
See?
Everybody looks the same as me.
I look the same as everybody else.
Mom? I literally have no idea who you are
Dad? I literally have no idea what you're talking about.
My name is Mortimer.
I have so many problems! And nobody even cares.
Excuse me, sir?
What?!
​Good afternoon.
I sense that today has been difficult, but lo! Look around you, Penguin!
Have you noticed the way the mountains are reflected in the ocean like a painting?
Have you noticed the way the mountains are reflected in the ocean like a painting?
Have you noticed the way the mountains are reflected in the ocean like a painting?
Have you gazed upon the blue of that cloudless, winter sky, my friend?
Have you felt the sun as it gently warms your back?
Have you simply stood with your penguin brothers and sisters and elders, who adore you?
Yes, some things are challenging out here.
Yes, we all have difficult moments, from the walruses to the polar bears, from the whales to the penguins.
But hear me now, my new friend: I wouldn’t trade my life for any other, and I am quite sure you wouldn’t, either.
I am certain that when you think about it, you’ll realize that you are exactly where you need to be.
Please think about what I have said, Penguin.
Goodbye for now.
Who the heck was that guy?!
Why do strangers always talk to me?
Walruses don't understand penguin problems!
Sigh OK OK
Maybe that walrus has a point.
After all, I do love the mountains.
And ocean.
And the sky.
And I have friends and family.
This is my only home, and this is my only life.
Maybe things will work out, after all.
My beak is cold.
It gets dark way too early.