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Prompt: My Reflection on the Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Gai
Exploring the Mythical Tale of Banh Chung and Banh Gai
Task:
As each Tet holiday approaches, households buzz with excitement and gather around the Banh Chung pot. The tradition of wrapping Banh Chung for Tet has become deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese culture. Whether rich or poor, extravagant or modest, every household must have Banh Chung for Tet. It's unclear when Banh Chung became an emblem of traditional Vietnamese Tet, but the origin of this cake is widely known. The entire story of this cake is neatly explained in the legend 'Banh Chung and Banh Gai.'
The narrative revolves around a central character named Lang Lieu. Since birth, Lang Lieu has been exceptional, the eighteenth son of the king, a virtuous and talented young man. However, life isn't as straightforward as one might imagine for a prince. Despite being the son of a king, Lang Lieu's life is ordinary. He engages in labor, connects with the common people, and lives a simple life until one day, his father, King Hung, the sixth generation, makes the decision to choose a successor.
It happens at a time when the country is prosperous, and the people's lives are content. The king thinks it's time to retire and leave the country to a worthy and capable successor for further prosperity. The virtuous king instructs his children to prove their abilities, and whoever meets his expectations will inherit the throne. The successor doesn't necessarily have to be the eldest and must possess both virtue and talent to carry on the king's will.
After learning about the king's theme, Lang Lieu's siblings enthusiastically sent people to explore the forests and seas to find exotic offerings. Everyone aimed to present the most precious and valuable items to express their intentions. Unlike Lang Lieu, who grew up in poverty and was accustomed to agricultural life, he had little wealth in his possession. In his humble home, there were only sweet potatoes, rice, and daily necessities. He thought that offering such ordinary items to the king would be too commonplace.
However, in a twist of fate, Lang Lieu, who had endured hardship throughout his life, the son of an unprivileged mother, deprived of the king's favor, faced numerous misfortunes from an early age. Despite being a prince, he didn't live in the royal palace, toiling like an ordinary person, without servants or attendants. Yet, the hardships he faced were understood by the divine, and in a dream, the deity appeared, guiding him on how to prepare an offering for the king.
The deity initially informed him about the value of rice, suggesting using it for the cake. However, with Lang Lieu's intelligent mind, he decided to mix rice, beans, and meat for the filling. Externally, he wrapped the mixture in square-shaped dong leaves, boiling it until cooked. He skillfully pounded glutinous rice, forming it into a round shape. Lang Lieu cleverly named his creation Banh Chung and Banh Gai. The fatty meat, green beans, and the outer dong leaves symbolize wildlife, vegetation, unity, and mutual protection. Thanks to his intelligence and meaningful naming, Lang Lieu captured the attention of the king.
On the day of the offering, while others presented exotic dishes from far and wide, the peculiar animal offerings couldn't compare to the rice cake. This product, crafted by a poor but virtuous and talented individual, perfectly aligned with the king's wishes. Thus, Lang Lieu emerged victorious, rightfully becoming his father's successor, destined to be a virtuous king guiding the nation towards prosperity and ensuring the well-being of the people.
