Buzz
Each time I look at the photo on my study desk, memories of Linh flood my mind. Linh, a friend I made during a family vacation in Cua Lo when I was in third grade. Despite the fleeting encounter, I will never forget...
On the occasion of a family outing, I had the opportunity to befriend someone new. Though the encounter was brief, the bond formed remains a vivid and lasting memory. Let me share the story.
I met Linh in a truly serendipitous moment. On that day, I got scolded by my dad and he angrily knocked a plate of shrimp to the ground (just because I dislike eating shrimp). Upset, I ran to the beach. Sitting on the sand, tears streaming down my face, I suddenly heard a voice asking, 'Why are you crying?' Looking up, I saw a small figure, dark and skinny, with sun-kissed hair that resembled a cow's tail. I exclaimed, 'It's none of your business. Go away.' Unfazed by my outburst, my little friend spoke with sincerity, 'If you keep burying your face in tears, you'll miss out on a beautiful sight. No one watches the sunset while crying.' I looked up, gaping in surprise. The sun descended like a fiery sphere into the sea. I had stopped crying without realizing it, captivated by the colossal ball slowly sinking into the ocean. When the sun completely disappeared, I turned to my new friend, smiling, 'I'm sorry.' Linh said, 'Can we be friends?' I nodded. Linh shared that they saw me getting scolded by my dad. Linh advised, 'What Thuý did was wrong.'
Let me introduce myself: 'I'm Thuý.' And you, what's your name?' 'I'm Linh. Your name is too nice.' Pleased with the compliment, Linh laughed. 'Linh saw Thuý getting scolded by her dad.' I stared at Linh. 'Thuý shouldn't have done that. If you don't like something, just don't do it. Here, many families struggle to have enough food, let alone shrimp. Wasting good food is a luxury.' Linh seemed different from me; what I disliked, I discarded. Linh told me about their humble home. Linh went to school in the morning and helped sell drinks with their parents in the evening. Linh said I dressed like a princess. Linh asked if they could touch my dress. I agreed, surprised as Linh ran off somewhere. Later, Linh returned, saying, 'Linh just went to wash hands.' Linh didn't want their dirty hands to touch my dress. Watching Linh nervously touching my dress, I was amazed. I boasted, 'Thuý has many dresses prettier than this one. Tomorrow, I'll show Linh.' After that, I shared the story with my mom. Mom said, 'Children here are poor, lacking many things, not leading a life as abundant as in the city. Only on special occasions can they wear nice clothes.' Thuý and Linh often played together every afternoon. Linh acted as a guide, showcasing the beauty of Linh's surroundings. Linh even treated me to baked sweet potatoes; the taste was exquisite, unlike any potatoes I had ever eaten.
And the time came for me to leave, to bid farewell to Linh. I told my mom I wanted to gift Linh one of my dresses. Mom smiled and said, 'My daughter has grown up.' I gave Linh the dress I wore when we first met. Initially, Linh hesitated, but under my persuasive plea, Linh shyly accepted my gift. I instructed Linh to wear it; I wanted to capture a memorable photo together. In the new dress, Linh looked completely different. Both of us burst into laughter. Linh gave me a large seashell; pressing it against my ear, I could hear the rhythmic sound of ocean waves. We hugged each other tightly. Linh promised to cherish my gift. Though Linh and I only played together for three days, I will never forget that small, sincere friend. Linh taught me to appreciate many things I had never known before. I learned so much from that simple and genuine little friend.
Details of the Drafting the Sequence in Autobiographical Writing section to prepare well for Autobiographical Writing.
Preparing for Writing Exercise 2, Narrative Writing is a crucial lesson in the 6th-grade Literature curriculum that requires special attention from the students.
