제14부 뒤늦은 학교생활, 첫 번째 Part 14 Late to School, Part 1

제14부 [...] 뒤늦은 학교생활, 첫 번째

그때는 나이가 서너 살 위인 동기는 말할 것도 없고 장가를 간 동기도 있을 정도였다. I had a motive for getting married, not to mention a motive for being three or four years older. 결국 서당에서 함께 공부하다가 3년이나먼저 보통학교에 입학한 아이들과 나는 같은 학급에서 공부하게 되었다. Eventually, after three years of studying together in the study hall, the children who entered the mainstream school first and I were in the same class. 한 학급의 인원은 80명 내외였다. The class size was around 80 students.

나는 보통학교에 입학하면서 비로소 학교생활이라는 걸 시작하게 되어 무척 기뻤다. 그러나 학교생활을 늦게 시작한 만큼, 학급에서 뒤떨어진 걸 알고는 맥이 풀릴 정도였다. However, as a late starter in school, he was devastated when he realized he was falling behind in his class. 학교에 들어가기 전에 나는 집에서 6학년까지의 공부를 나름대로 끝냈기 때문에 좀더 월반할 수 있을 것으로 생각했었다. 그런데 학교생활을 하면서 내가 가진 지식이 정말 보잘것없다는 것을 알았다. But as I went through school, I realized how little knowledge I had.

그중에서도 나를 더욱 주눅들게 한 과목은 도화(미술)와 창가(음악), 그리고 체육이었다. The subjects that intimidated me the most were drawing (art), changa (music), and physical education. 이 세 과목의 성적은 낙제나 다름없었지만 다른 과목의 성적이 뛰어나 동정점수를 받아 체면을 유지하고 낙제를 면할 수 있었다. His grades in these three subjects were failing, but his grades in the other subjects were so good that he was able to get a compassionate grade to save face and avoid failing.

가뜩이나 체육에 자신이 없던 나는 가을마다 돌아오는 운동회가 싫었다. 그날은 동네 사람들이 점심을 준비해 가지고 와서 마치 큰 잔치 같았다. It was like a big feast that day, with neighbors bringing lunch. 온 동네 사람들이 모두 보는 데서 달리기를 하여 꼴찌를 한다는 것은 어린 내 마음으로는 상처를 받기에 충분했는데, 그래서 어른 아이 할 것 없이 모두들 들떠 하루를 보내는 운동회를 나는 그저 시큰둥하게 보냈다.