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Exploring Narratives: Engaging Tales - Week 17
Exploring Narratives: Engaging Tales - Week 17, Short
Question 1 (page 168 Vietnamese Language Textbook 5): Narrate a story you have heard or read about people who know how to live beautifully, bring joy, and happiness to others.
Answer:
In life, there are beautiful flowers that add much meaning to life. Despite facing many difficulties, Mr. Mai Tu Khoa from Quang Truong commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province has done many meaningful things for society. The story was told through the program 'Exemplary Models' and left me deeply moved.
Mr. Khoa is 38 years old this year. At the age of 19, he worked as a stone quarry worker for a cement factory located in the area, hoping to earn extra income to support his family. On the fateful afternoon of June 3, 1998, he encountered a rockslide accident, breaking two vertebrae and paralyzing half of his body. For the remaining days of his life, he was permanently bedridden, surrounded by four walls.
He plunged into days of sorrow and despair. During the struggle with illness, confined to the hospital bed, Khoa found solace in books, then television, and later on, the phone and computer. It was through reading numerous books and articles that Khoa realized many others shared similar fates, including those battling severe illnesses yet striving to live purposefully.
Consequently, he pondered on doing something meaningful for himself and society. After much contemplation, in 2010, utilizing the books and funds he had collected, he transformed his room into a free home library for underprivileged children. Every day, it attracted dozens of students who came to read and borrow books.
To expand his library's collection, Khoa diligently researched online and appealed for assistance from kind-hearted individuals. He received overwhelming support from organizations and individuals nationwide. They sent books and even monetary contributions to help realize his dream. As a result, Khoa acquired an additional 10 bookshelves to place in the classrooms of Quang Truong commune's primary and secondary schools for student use.
Not stopping there, Khoa also utilized social media to continue rallying for donations, raising funds and resources to aid impoverished students, those facing difficult circumstances, and elderly individuals living alone. From the academic year 2013 until now, with the contributions received, Khoa has supported tuition fees, provided books and clothing for underprivileged students and students with disabilities in local schools. In the past year, 2016, he also raised approximately 150 million dong to support flood victims and needy students.
The story of Mr. Khoa has left me in awe of his compassion and determination. No matter the circumstances, we must strive to rise up and live beautifully, making a positive impact on our families and those around us.
In addition to Exploring Tales Heard and Read, Week 17, students should explore other lessons in Vietnamese for Grade 5 such as Studying Folk Songs about Production Labor, Reading Comprehension, or the section Composition: Reviewing Letter Writing to reinforce their Grade 5 Vietnamese knowledge.
