Portraying the role of a father recounting the tale of The Clever Baby

Prompt: Portray the role of a father recounting the tale of The Clever Baby

Assuming the role of a father recounting the story of The Clever Baby
 

I. Detailed outline Assuming the role of a father recounting the story of The Clever Baby (Standard)

Introducing the circumstances and life of oneself.

2. Body of the essay

- Conversation between the two father and son with the court official in the field
- The king issues a challenging decree → Clever handling situation by the child...(Continued)

>> See detailed outline of Assuming the role of a father recounting the story of The Clever Baby here

II. Exemplary essay Assuming the role of a father recounting the story of The Clever Baby (Standard)

I am a poor farmer, living in a tough countryside, working year-round in the fields and gardens, hiring tools. My wife passed away just after giving birth to our first child, and I'm living with my young son, who has just turned eight. The two of us work together, relying on each other for survival. Despite being young, my son understands my hardships and behaves obediently, diligently, lovingly, and patiently. Although he doesn't have much time for schooling, seeing him so knowledgeable, quick-witted, and smarter than his peers brings me great joy.

Recently, something unexpected happened that makes me incredibly proud of my little son. That day, my son and I got up early to go to the fields to plow before the midday sun became scorching. While plowing the furrows, a person wearing a red cloth and a high hat, riding a majestic horse, approached us. He halted his horse and said:

'You and your son seem to be working very hard, old man. May I ask you something?'

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I replied:
'Yes, we're used to it. There's nothing special about this hard work. What do you need to ask, sir?'

As I began to speak, he said:
- Old man, can you tell me how many furrows your ox plows in a day?

After hearing the question, I was dumbfounded, not knowing how to answer. My son, standing beside me, overheard the conversation and quickly turned to the man on horseback and asked:
- Could you please tell me how many steps your horse takes in a day?

If you tell me, then I'll answer your question. Hearing this, the man was surprised, with a look of astonishment on his face. But without keeping my son and me waiting long, he said:
- I was just joking, it's nothing serious. It's just that this boy seems clever, knowing how to ask reverse questions that leave me astonished. May I ask what your names are and which village you're from?

Then he bid us farewell and rode off. I didn't pay much attention at the time, but later I found out that he was a court official sent to seek talented individuals to help the country.

A few days later, our village received a decree from the royal court. The king granted the village three bags of sticky rice and three male buffalo with the requirement to raise them so that the three male buffalo would each have nine offspring. If by next year the village fails to comply with the requirement, it will be punished. Everyone in the village was worried because of the absurd decree from the wise king. I was extremely anxious and afraid, not understanding what was happening or what to do. The village held meetings every night, discussing ways to solve the problem, but to no avail.

That day, while having dinner, my son said:
- Dad, what's going on in our village that everyone seems so agitated?

I told my son about the decree the king issued to the village. After hearing the story, he said:
- Since the king has given the village rice and buffalo, we should celebrate. The whole village should have a feast together. Dad, you should tell the village that I will ask for a buffalo and a bag of rice as my travel expenses.

Seeing my son's naive idea, I scolded him:
- The king's task is not yet done, and you're already thinking about eating and drinking. Once we have the buffalo's meat, what will we use to feed them? You're too foolish, my son, or you'll end up in trouble one day.

Thinking my son would be timid and silent, I was surprised when he insisted:
- Dad, I've already thought it all through. Just trust me to handle it, and everything will work out. Despite being somewhat hesitant about my son's words, I still presented the matter to the village.

After hearing the story, although the villagers were skeptical, they agreed to the decision if we wrote a solemn pledge to the village. After a few days, my son and I set off for the capital. When the travel expenses ran out, we arrived at the capital. My son and I were led by two soldiers into the palace. Upon entering the courtyard, my son burst into tears, which angered the king. He sent the soldiers to bring my son and me in and asked:
- Why is this child crying, causing such a commotion even in the palace?

Upon hearing the king's question, my son replied:
- Your Majesty, I lost my mother when I was young. I want a sibling to play with, but my father refuses to have another child. Please, Your Majesty, could you order my father to have a child? Hearing my son say this, I couldn't help but laugh. Everyone in the court also laughed at the request. The king looked at my son and said:
- If you want a sibling, tell your father to take a new wife. But your father is a male, how can he bear a child, my child?

After hearing this, my son seemed enlightened, smiling brightly as he asked:
- Your Majesty's words seem contradictory, don't they? Our village has been ordered to raise male buffalo to have nine offspring to offer to you. But as you said, males cannot bear children, Your Majesty?

The king chuckled and said:
- Just testing the waters, do the villagers know how to feast?
- Your Majesty, our village knew it was your blessing, so we slaughtered the buffalo, cooked rice, and had a feast together. The boy said.

At that moment, everyone nodded, elated.

My father and I were then invited by the king to stay for a few days, until we were well enough to return. The next noon, while my father and I were having lunch, a man arrived, claiming to be the king's envoy. He brought a small sparrow and demanded that we make it into three feasts, as per the king's decree. Upon hearing this, I panicked. A small bird like that wouldn't be enough for one feast, let alone three. I begged him to report back to the king about the situation. Before I could regain my composure, my son quickly said:
- Father, give me that sewing needle. Then he said:
- You should tell the king to forge this needle into a knife to carve the bird. Hearing this, the envoy returned to the king. Surely, the boy's words persuaded the king, hence the king rewarded my father and me with plenty of gold and silver before we left.

We returned to our daily life, the gold and silver rewarded to my father and me were used to rebuild our house and help those in need. Life from then on became less arduous.

In that same year, our neighboring country attempted to invade our territory. Our country, known for its talents and heroes, was challenged to showcase its prowess. They sent an envoy bearing a long, hollow conch shell, challenging anyone to thread a needle through its gut with a single thread. Despite their best efforts, the courtiers and the king could not answer the daunting question. Ultimately, they had to ask the envoy to stay and seek my son's opinion, to see if he had any insights to help the nation.

At that time, I was busy with cooking in the kitchen, while my son played marbles with the neighborhood kids in the backyard. Upon hearing the envoy's puzzle, my son sang out:

'Tang, tang, tang, counting in a row
Catch a bug, tie it tight, do not let it go
One hand holds paper, one hand brings it low
Butter it, the bug rejoices, what a show!
Tang, tang, tang'

After hearing this, the official returned to report to the king. The king and his courtiers nodded in agreement with the incredibly logical solution. Before everyone's eyes, the ant threaded the needle through the conch shell's gut. The envoy from the neighboring country expressed admiration for the wisdom of our people. They immediately abandoned their intentions of invading our country.