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Essay Prompt: Portraying oneself as a bamboo tree, narrating its own story
Part 1: Outline of portraying oneself as a bamboo tree, narrating its own story
Part 2: Sample Essay Portraying oneself as a bamboo tree, narrating its own story
Essay:
Perhaps in the heart of every individual when thinking about beloved rural areas, there is always the image of dense green bamboo groves. Our bamboo family has been closely connected with the Vietnamese people for generations, so when recounting our life story to our descendants, I always feel proud and express many emotional sentiments.
Our bamboo house stands tall, its straight trunk reaching for the sunlight. We, siblings, are abundant like bamboo, resilient and adaptable to all conditions. Despite the rocky, nutrient-deficient soil, we thrive lush and grow well. We lead a humble life, rooted deeply, embodying the Vietnamese spirit: courageous, persevering, united in the face of storms and adversity, standing side by side, overcoming challenges and maturing resiliently. Our forefathers fought bravely alongside the nation throughout history, from the era of Hung Kings to Phu Dong village's triumphs against invaders, safeguarding peace. Through the ages, we remained steadfast, blending into nature's hues, concealing secrets, wielding simple yet effective weapons, marking our indomitable history. Looking back, we take immense pride in our journey.
In times of peace, beside Uncle Ho's resting place, we guard his serene sleep, joining hands with our people to build a new life. The burdens of rice harvesting, crafting baskets, sieves, and mortars, all bear our mark. From daily meals to Tet's traditional banh chung, we are intertwined with the people. It seems between our bamboo house and the people lies an intimate bond. Every summer, amid sweltering days, we provide shade and soothing breezes, offering comfort. I vividly recall every summer noon, gazing at my reflection in the river, listening to tales of everyday life, deeply cherished. And I fondly remember the childhood mornings, dew-drenched leaves, awakening after a long night's sleep, birds chirping heralding a hopeful new day. Bamboo and humans, simple yet endearing, lifelong devotion, we always hold the utmost respect and admiration for people.
Since childhood, I've heard verses, poems about our lineage, penned with immense love by poet Nguyen Duy:
'Green bamboos
Green since when?
Long ago... there were green bamboo shores
Thin trunks, delicate leaves
Yet they grew into sturdy bamboo
Wherever, bamboo thrives
Even on rocky or limey soil...'
Those are precious, endearing words from poet Thép Mới: 'Beneath the green bamboo shadows of ancient times, ancient temples faintly appear. Under the green bamboo shadows, Vietnam preserves an ancient culture, bamboo aiding people in building homes, clearing fields, living generation after generation. Bamboo structures include: nứa, vầu, mai trúc, luồng, giang... everywhere, green bamboo fences are present. Bamboo forests serve as protective barriers for villages, hamlets, embracing the warmth of community from one generation to the next, shielding people from storms....'
Our bamboo has become a cultural beauty of our nation. We always understand our position and role, knowing that we need to exert more effort, strive to reach new lands across continents, beautifying life for all.
