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Prompt: Expressing Thoughts on the Tale of Thach Sanh
Essay: Expressing Thoughts on the Tale of Thach Sanh
Storytelling:
“The zither sings: Who strikes the celestial bird
Granting you glory, boasting your sovereignty?
The zither sings: Who slays the serpent king
To bring the princess of the dynasty here?
The zither sings: O Lí Thông, why
Would you betray loyalty and embrace ingratitude?
The zither sings: Why reside in indifference
Eating the fruit but forgetting the kindness of the planter?”
Reading these verses, it summons a realm of childhood memories through the pages of Thạch Sanh's tale narrated by grandmother or mother, as it is a widely circulated folklore, deeply rooted among the people. The story captivates not only with its mystique but also with the moral values it imparts. It's a tale of virtue in life, of how one treats others, and above all, it's a longing for peace, a dream of social justice for the people.
The tale revolves around Thạch Sanh, an orphaned boy raised by a humble peasant family, who is actually a prince sent down by the Jade Emperor to experience life as a commoner but with noble virtues. He lives in a thatched hut with only his parents' old axe as inheritance. When Lí Thông, a fellow with no family or means, proposes brotherhood, Thạch Sanh, living a destitute life, accepts without hesitation, deeply moved. From then on, he faces numerous challenges and hardships. He substitutes at the altar, slays the serpent to save the princess, and is betrayed by his trusted brother, imprisoned in a cave where fate intervenes when he's saved by playing the zither gifted by the Water God. Through trials and tribulations, we witness the noble qualities in his troubled soul. An early orphan, he yearns for the affection of loved ones, readily accepts Lí Thông's brotherhood, displaying unwavering honesty, kindness, and courage, helping others in times of need. Even when rescuing the princess and King Water's son, he seeks no material gain, only requesting a divine zither before returning to his roots. In contrast to the strategic, brave, and kind-hearted Thạch Sanh stands Lí Thông – cruel, cowardly, opportunistic, and selfish. A companion for personal gain, willing to sacrifice his own kin for self-preservation, usurping others' merits for false glory. A deceiver, worthless, and selfish opportunist. Ultimately, the evildoer faces consequences, while the virtuous one finds a better life. It's life's law. Thạch Sanh is vindicated, marrying the beautiful princess amidst the admiration of eighteen vassal states. The defeated suffer disgrace, as Mother and son Lí Thông, despite Thạch Sanh's forgiveness, face divine retribution, struck by lightning on their journey home, transformed into beetles.
