Vinnie and Mandy followed Gildong to the nobleman's house.
He led them through a busy street.
Suddenly Mandy noticed something strange.
"Why are so many people wearing white?" she asked.
Gildong laughed.
"You must be from very far away," he said.
"In Korea poor people usually wear white.
Only nobles and royalty can wear colors."
"So that's where we are!" thought Mandy. "Korea!"
Soon the children reached a large house.
In the courtyard people looked very busy.
"They are getting ready for a special ceremony," said Gildong.
Vinnie watched a woman pounding something with a thick stick.
"She's pounding rice," explained Gildong.
The children saw a room with a big table.
A girl was placing food there.
"I'm hungry," Mandy said.
"Sorry, but the food is for the ceremony," said Gildong.
"Tonight they are remembering the nobleman's grandfather.
He died on this day many years ago."
"I don't understand," said Mandy.
"Why are they making food for someone who died?"
"The family honors their grandfather by offering wine and food," said Gildong.
Mandy nodded.
Vinnie asked where the food would go after the ceremony.
"The nobleman's family will share it with others," Gildong said.
"That's an important part of the ceremony."
"Gildong!" a voice shouted.
The children turned to see an old woman waving at them.
"Finally!" she said to Gildong.
"You have come with the bowls!
We are thankful your father could make these for us."
Gildong unwrapped the basket and gave the bowls to the woman.
"May I look at one?" asked Mandy.
"Yes." The woman handed one to her.
"It's so smooth," Mandy said.
"One day I will make bowls like that too," said Gildong proudly.
The woman thanked the children for bringing the bowls.
"You must have a snack before you leave," she said.
"Have a seat and wait here.
I will be back in a few minutes."
The woman soon returned.
She was carrying a tray of snacks for the children.
"Mmm . . . These are so sweet!
What are they?"
Mandy asked, chewing on an orange fruit.
"They are dried persimmons," Gildong answered.
"And these are rice cakes."
He popped a soft white rice cake into his mouth.
When they were finished, Gildong stood and bowed to the woman.
"Thank you," he said.
Vinnie and Mandy hopped up too and bowed.
"Thank you!" they said. "Good-bye!"
The children left the house.
Suddenly Gildong stopped.
"Hmm," he said. "Do you hear something?"
Mandy's face lit up.
"Yes!" she said. "I hear music!"