When we were in the third grade of middle school, we were partners in the same class. It was the beginning of our friendship. I didn't talk to her at first, because she looked calm and shy. She didn't say anything to me, either. So I felt that she disliked me, and I wanted to change my partner. After three days, however, I courageously asked her name and telephone number. She told me that her name was Hye-ok, and I suggested to her shyly, "Would you like to go to eat ddokbokki^* with me after school?" She smiled at me brightly. After that day, we became ddokbokki partners. She also frequently cooked delicious ddokbokki for me.
        Hye-ok was very quiet and shy, while I was rash and extroverted. So we often quarreled about a trivial matter and turned sulky. But as time went on, we got used to each other's personality and tried to accept it. I accepted her introversion, and she taught me a careful attitude and patience. She often advised me to correct my bad habits, such as careless acts and rash decisions. In this way, she gave me a lot of advice. She also gave me many kinds of presents.
        Among the presents, there was one most valuable present. It changed me and supported my life. Of course, it still supports me now and will continue to do so. That present was my religion, a belief in God. When I was in a difficult situation preparing for the high school entrance exam, she always prayed for me. One day, she took me to her church. "Soo Kyoung! Have you ever prayed for something you want?" she asked.
        "No, I haven't," I answered. But I started going along with her to church on Sundays. In spite of my awkward prayer, I always prayed seriously and was relieved from my difficult situation and agony through my religion. Without noticing it, religion began to occupy a big part of my life.
        We stood at an important crossroads in our life. We had to choose whether to go to a commercial high school or a general high school. We cried so much and prayed that we would make the correct choice. Although she wanted to enter a general high school, her family was so poor that she had to give up that plan. Eventually, she entered a commercial high school, and I prepared for the general high school entrance exam. As I studied, she was my supporter and adviser. Whenever I was discouraged because of the exam, she helped me gain a lot of courage. After we entered our separate high schools, we didn't often meet. But she kept in touch with me. In spite of her busy life, she sent letters to me twice a week and checked whether I was studying hard or if I was in good health. During three years of high school, she paid close attention to me. For example, she comforted me when I had trouble adapting to my new high school at first, when I suffered from stomachaches because of stress, etc.
        Since middle school graduation, six years have passed. Hye-ok is a company employee and gets a salary now. With her salary, we often go to eat ddokbokki and recall our memories of six years ago. She is still my supporter and adviser, just like she was six years ago. In the end, I would like to describe her as my present. Among all of the gifts I have received, Hye-ok was my most valuable and appreciated present.

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^*ddokbokki - a broiled dish of sliced rice cake, meat, eggs, seasoning, etc.