Chapter 144
"I just don't understand. These elephants, who have suffered abuse their whole lives, are finally on their way to freedom."
I wanted to play a song of joy and ecstasy, a song that would comfort and say that everything was okay now.
But the professor told us to play a song titled Isle of the Dead.
Why was that?
Rachmaninoff looked at the score and said,
"There are five stages in which a living being accepts death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is said that this is the same for animals and humans."
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.
"That's right. At first, he cannot accept death itself, and then he gets angry thinking about why he has to die."
"And then the ego's bargaining to justify its own death, the depression that is felt as death approaches, and finally the acceptance of death are the natural course of events for living beings."
But was this song suitable for the elephants who were seeking freedom now?
Rachmaninoff said, reading the question in Soo-hyun's eyes.
"Don't approach me lightly. I have clearly explained to you how this picture was drawn."
I heard that it was a song that a widow asked to sing in memory of her deceased husband.
"This song is not about mourning death, but about honoring the soul."
"I know, sir. But the elephants are not dead. They deserve freedom and life. That's why we are sending them to Africa."
Tens of thousands of questions came to mind, but Soo-hyun remained silent and just listened to the master.
"Who do you think death saddens?"
"…"
"Do you think the dead are sad?"
"…"
"No, death belongs to those who are left behind. Mourning, sadness, and emptiness are the fate of those who are left behind."
I don't know. I've never died.
'When teachers leave their lives, don't they miss or feel sad for the families they leave behind?'
"I don't know yet."
Rachmaninoff nodded.
"It's natural not to know. Because you are human."
"But what does that explanation have to do with the elephants, sir?"
Rachmaninoff looked at him with serious eyes.
"I heard that these elephants were caught and abused. Many lost their lives while performing rituals when they were babies."
"That's right."
"How many deaths do you think they have witnessed?"
"…"
"They probably want to comfort their dead companions as well. Perhaps they want to express their regret for being the only ones who survived and for being the only ones who came to a good place."
"…"
Soo-hyun's head slowly bowed.
Rachmaninoff continued.
"Before we move forward in search of true freedom, shouldn't we first mourn the deaths we have witnessed? A song that comforts the soul would be better than a funeral march, a requiem."
Soo-hyun nodded. Everything became clear.
"Master, what you said is correct."
Rachmaninoff said as he unfolded the score, as if he thought Soo-hyun understood.
"This piece was originally composed as a symphonic poem. I arranged it for the piano because I was looking for a piece to play. I think you can play it quite well with your skills."
The score that caught Soo-hyun's attention.
As Soo-hyun slowly read the music, Rachmaninoff's last words were heard through his ears.
"Tell them that their friends who went first crossed safely to the Isle of the Dead by Charon."
HUO×SOL.
This was the title of a news program to prevent animal abuse that the American broadcasting station HUO had started using some time ago.
People who were tired of the news of crime, political corruption, and entertainment gossip began to watch the HUO news frequently, and they were broadcasting news from Southeast Asia, including Thailand, every day.
At first, people applauded the news that local businesses were beginning to close, but they soon became outraged when it was revealed that the elephants were in danger of being abandoned.
Although they couldn't do anything to help, they came to the conclusion that they somehow had to create a relief organization to save the starving elephants.
But the elephants had no time.
Living things would starve to death if they were left without food for a few days. Even as relief organizations were formed to raise funds and supplies were delivered, the elephants continued to die.
Animal lovers were outraged, and the general public felt sorry.
At that moment, HUO delivered a piece of good news.
Scenes of HUO staff dispatched to Thailand feeding starving elephants.
People began to praise HUO's humanitarian actions, which directly resulted in an increase in the brand image.
In the United States, wherever people gathered, stories of elephants always came up. Whether sharing a beer with friends or enjoying a meal with family, the HUO news inevitably came up.
A pub in Portland, Oregon.
This bar was quite crowded on weekends because it broadcast NFL (American football) games.
There were still more than 30 minutes until the game started, but the friends who had arrived early and secured good seats were chatting.
"Hey, the Raiders are definitely going to win today!"
"You're talking nonsense, the Steelers are definitely going to win today."
"Do you want to bet?"
"Okay, do it! How about we bet a hundred dollars?"
"A hundred dollars?"
"Because I'm confident!"
Another friend who was watching them with a smile, looked at the news channel before the game, and when he saw news about elephants again, he sat up straight.
"Hey, Sam, Brian. Be quiet for a moment."
The two friends who were fighting looked at the screen and laughed.
"Another elephant news? It's all the rage lately."
"I'm not interested."
"Well, me neither. To be honest, it feels like I'm going to starve to death. What about the elephants?"
"Richard, are you interested in that kind of news?"
Richard looked back and frowned.
"Hey, you're still here drinking beer. Those guys are starving. Beer is a luxury."
The gazes of the two friends who shrugged their shoulders at the sight of their friend getting angry also turned to the screen.
When the words HUO × SOL appeared on the screen, Sam asked.
"What is SOL?"
"I see, is it a new broadcaster? It's called HUO."
Richard looked at Sam and Brian with pitiful eyes and said,
"I'm friends with these ignorant people. SOL is a pianist."
"Huh? Why is a pianist suddenly coming out in the Elephant News?"
"Yeah, and why are the broadcaster's name and the pianist's name appearing together? Isn't that × symbol usually used when collaborating?"
Richard explained, spitting, to two friends who had little interest in the environment or nature. After listening to his simple explanation, the two friends were surprised and asked,
"Dude, can the elephant hear you playing the piano?"
"An abused elephant died while listening to music? With a peaceful face? Does that make sense?"
"If you don't believe me, look up the video. It's all over the internet! And there are massive protests about this right now, so aren't you interested?"
The two friends flinched at Richard's scolding. The footage showed people hastily opening relief supply boxes and feeding Thai elephants with wounds all over their bodies.
"Are they feeding them? They're all wearing bulletproof vests, so I guess they're from the broadcaster. Do broadcasters do things like that?"
"That's right. I heard Richard explain earlier that all the elephants were starving. I guess the broadcaster is rescuing them. That's a good thing."
Then a female reporter spoke to people feeding her in the background.
We found abandoned elephants at five local businesses that had closed down. Our broadcaster received approval from the Thai government to feed the elephants.
Someone off-screen passed a note. The reporter took it, read it, and smiled brightly.
Everyone, rejoice! HUO has finally succeeded in purchasing elephants!
Richard clenched his fist. Sam, not knowing what he meant, asked.
"Why would a broadcaster buy an elephant? Is it a circus or something?"
Richard said with a pitiful look in his eyes.
"HUO is buying elephants and releasing them in Africa. They said they've been working on it for a few days."
"Why? Why do broadcasters do things that don't make money?"
"Don't you think everyone is like you? When you do something good, people should applaud you."
"No, you're definitely after something. Who spends their energy on something that doesn't make money these days?"
"HUO has something to gain. Right now, everyone is paying attention to the HUO news. It's probably the first time a broadcaster has done brand marketing like this. It's obvious that they have an intentional motive, but they're doing a good thing. That's why I watch HUO's broadcasts on purpose. I think other people do the same. Because I know that the fees I pay are going to rescue elephants."
The two friends licked their lips. Sam moved to the seat next to Richard, as if he were interested, and spoke as he looked at the screen.
"How many in total?"
"Thirty-one."
"Wow, there are so many! But does SOL only show the name and not the appearance?"
"There he is."
Sam's eyes widened in admiration when the handsome, silver-haired boy appeared on the screen.
"Wow! Is that a pianist? He's so handsome. Wait a minute, what country is he from? He looks Asian, but the color of his eyes and hair are not."
"I'm Korean."
"If you're Korean… aren't you from the same country as Kim, the neighbor? I've met a few from that country, but they're all named Kim, Lee, or Pak. Sometimes I see Choi too. But your name is SOL?"
"No, it's a nickname. I don't know what it means."
"Wow! I don't know what it is, but it's pretty cool. He looks really tall. He has a great physique. He looks like an athlete, but he has a very pretty face. He must be popular."
"That's right, there's already a SOL fan club on the internet. The problem is that the person in question doesn't even bother to look at it. Haha."
Brian, who had been left out because Sam was watching with interest, said with a smile.
"Hey, Sam. Since when have you been interested in environmental activism? Why are you pretending to be interested now?"
Sam said, looking at Brian.
"Come here too. Let's watch together. You just have to get interested."
"I don't care, Inma. Tell me when the NFL starts."
Brian turned his head as he drank his beer. But his eyes were still fixed on the screen. At that moment, SOL, who had been looking for each of the separate cages on the screen and feeding them, was seen opening a new cage and then stopping. The camera filmed us from behind SOL's shoulder. We saw an elephant already starving to death, crouching in a corner.
Brian, who was about to eat a potato chip, threw the chips in his hand and shouted.
"Have you seen those damn dogs? Did they run away without caring if the elephants were starving?"
The two friends smiled brightly at the sight of Brian, who had said he was not interested, getting excited.
"Aren't you interested?"
"No, that's not it! It's annoying! Right?"
"Yes, so far only worrying news has come out. That's why the news these days is more refreshing."
"Damn it! You damn bastards! What's wrong with animals that don't talk? Damn, damn!"
Brian came to the front seat as he cursed, and SOL came in with a sad but tearless face.
Beautiful eyes, slightly wrinkled by the smiling gaze, the corners of the eyes are moist.