In the book A Single Shard , Tree-ear is an orphan. Monks bring Tree-ear to the bridge where Crane-man lives so that Crane-man can care for him until the temple is free of the fever. When a monk comes to get him several months later, Tree-ear, just a toddler, clings to Crane-man and refuses to leave. There are many examples throughout the book that provide evidence of a strong bond between Crane-man and Tree-ear. Although they are homeless, Crane-man always tries to provide food, shelter, and companionship to Tree-ear. As Tree-ear's character develops throughout the book, he employs the wisdom that he has gained through the years from Crane-man. For example, Crane-man often says to Tree-ear, "Work gives a man dignity, stealing takes it away" (p. 6). As he grows older, Tree-ear cares for Crane-man as well. When Min's wife, Ajima, gives him clothes and secretly supplies Tree-ear with food,...
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he takes it home to Crane-man. When Tree-ear learns of Crane-man's death during the bridge collapse, the text states that "It was as if he had stepped out of his body and was watching himself listen to Min" (p. 143). Shock and grief overwhelm Tree-ear, indicating the degree of loss he feels. He continues to grieve the loss of his friend while alone on the banks of the stream. Tree-ear whispers that he wishes Crane-man well and hopes he has two good legs to travel on, and cries (p. 145).
Tree-ear's relationship with Ajima develops over the course of the book. At first, Tree-ear and Ajima know of each other but have very limited interactions. Tree-ear helps her with some chores around the house, and she repays him by providing meals for him. When she discovers that Tree-ear is saving some of his meal to take home to Crane-man, she refills the bowl on a daily basis. Ajima shows kindness to Tree-ear through her soft-spoken and caring ways. She offers Tree-ear some of her late son's clothes so that he is warm in the winter months. Ajima also offers for Tree-ear to live with her and Min after Crane-man dies. The author provides evidence of the depth of their relationship when Min's wife asks Tree-ear to call her Ajima, which means something like "auntie" and is a term of great affection.
Tree-ear's relationship with Min begins as a conflict, after Tree-ear breaks one of Min's pots and wants to repay Min by working for him. Throughout the story, Min is harsh with Tree-ear. He orders Tree-ear to complete several challenging tasks, all the while delivering harsh criticism and short-tempered communication. Although Min is hard on Tree-ear, he chooses him to make the journey to Songdo and submit his work to the emissary. The author structures the story in a way that the reader can infer that Min is still grieving and feels bitter about losing his own son. In the end, Min displays his fondness for Tree-ear and tells him that he is giving him a wheel of his own and that he is going to teach him how to throw pottery. Min and Ajima offer to have Tree-ear live with them and name him Hyung-pil. His new name makes him a "son of Min."