Prompt: Portray Thúy Kiều narrating acts of gratitude and revenge to everyone
5 exemplary essays: Portraying Thúy Kiều narrating acts of gratitude and revenge to everyone
Model Essay 1: Portraying Thúy Kiều Narrating Acts of Gratitude and Revenge
Having endured fifteen years of exile, my life seemed buried in the trials of 'confinement twice, illness twice.' Fortunately, fate has at times uplifted and favored me. These changes have been possible thanks to Từ Hải, a man 'who strides through life with the sky on his shoulders.'
Returning to him shortly after his glorious victories, I became the foremost lady. He inquired about those who had shown me kindness, those who had harmed and plunged me into misery. Then he invited all those who had been kind and rounded up all the villains for me to judge. Thus, on that day, we sat in court: dispensing gratitude and retribution. First was Thúc Sinh, who had saved me from the green pavilion. Thúc entered, his face flushed, his body trembling. I thought, perhaps he is too frightened. I knew he was weak, yet I harbored no blame. Even though his senior wife, Hoạn Thư, always tormented me with jealousy, that matter could wait! Now it was time for me to repay him. I spoke up: 'Greetings, Thúc! Today, your presence here is for me to express a bit of gratitude and seek to repay you!'
Hearing this, perhaps feeling relieved, he replied: 'Yes..!' I continued: 'The debt you owe me weighs heavily, impossible to fully repay. Here are a hundred rolls of silk, a thousand catties of silver to show my appreciation. I hope you accept..' The servant brought out the gifts, he humbly accepted them. But I wondered: 'Why does he need to be so humble, is he still afraid? Well, let him go, as there are still many others to thank.' Looking at him, I felt sorry for his plight with Hoạn Thư. How could those two individuals share a bed and a roof together! I smiled and added to Thúc: 'Your wife is truly a demon, it's like when thieves meet an old lady.'
He left, and thereafter, I expressed gratitude to many others: Giác Duyên, A Hoàn, the steward... those who had loved and helped me in times of hardship.
Next came the time for revenge, the first person I had to retaliate against, to settle all scores, was Hoạn Thư - Thúc Sinh's senior wife. As she entered, I greeted her: 'Even you have the time to come here?' Then I spoke more assertively: 'Women are capable of many things. Throughout history, many have been cunning and sly like you.' She hurriedly knelt down, partly recognizing my presence, partly seeing rows of soldiers armed to the teeth. I thought: 'This time, she'll surely panic, beg for mercy since she knows her guilt. She'll know what it means to reap what one sows.' I continued more assertively: 'Living a comfortable life is easy, but the more ruthless one becomes, the more one will suffer.' At this point, Hoạn Thư understood. Yet, she was too cunning, too calm, even bowing her head before speaking. I knew she would plead, would try to absolve herself, at this point, I could bid her farewell from this world, but I still wanted to see what she would say, partly because I wanted to see if she would repent. If she did, I could show mercy without killing her. She began: 'Madam, I am but a lowly woman, just like anyone else. My jealousy is only natural. Thinking back to that day, this lowly person allowed madam to leave, though I did not chase or retrieve her even though I knew the pavilion had lost some valuable items... But it was also due to this lowly person that trouble arose. Now, I can only hope for the magnanimity of madam's heart. Please, madam, have mercy on this wretched person.'
I was astonished, praising her for her eloquence. She was truly cunning, wise, and clever. Yet, her words were too reasonable, I too am a woman and understand the common jealousy of women. Forgiving her may be good for her life, but it would also make her more contemptible. Also, I had intended to forgive her if she repented. Though her actions were yet to be seen, her words were heartfelt and sensible. Having accepted all blame, I forgave her and only added: 'Learn to repent because a life of doing good deeds will bring many good things. Remember, good begets good, evil begets evil.'
Afterwards, I judged many others. They were all wicked, deceitful, and unjust. Having experienced countless hardships and humiliations, I understand the ways of life: 'Beauty comes with fate.' But now, I am reunited with my family, with parents, siblings, and a faithful lover, what else can life offer but happiness? Life also follows a rule: 'Encounter many misfortunes and happiness will follow.'
In addition to the material covered, students need to prepare for the Thuy Kieu gratitude and revenge (excerpt from 'The Tale of Kieu' by Nguyen Du) with the section Prepare for Thuy Kieu's gratitude and revenge to master their Grade 9 Vietnamese Language knowledge.
In the Grade 9 Vietnamese Language curriculum, the Kieu at Ngung Bich Tower (excerpt from 'The Tale of Kieu' by Nguyen Du) is an important content that students need to pay attention to Prepare for Kieu at Ngung Bich Tower completely.
Sample 2: Role-play Thuy Kieu recounting gratitude and revenge for everyone to hear
Today, my heart is filled with joy thanks to the help of Tu Cong, I have the opportunity to repay gratitude and revenge to everyone. I - Vuong Thuy Kieu, a person who has experienced countless pains, humiliations, who has deceived others and sent herself to the secular world, now I have the opportunity to repay gratitude to those who have helped me and take revenge on those who have harmed me, my heart is deeply moved. Today, I would like to let everyone hear about my gratitude and revenge.
- Tu Hai, please arrange for me to meet Thuc Sinh. I said.
- Alright, I'll arrange for Thuc Sinh to come. Tu Hai replied.
Thuc was arranged to come, his face turned pale, but he was still the same Thuc who had once rescued me from the world of secularism. I immediately said to him:
- The heavy favor you showed me back in Lam Tri, I dare not forget. I can't blame Sam Thuong for not being completely loyal as a wife, betraying your love for me. Now, thanks to Tu's favor, all I have is a hundred rolls of brocade, a thousand silver coins as repayment for your kindness... I hope you accept this heartfelt gift.
Seeing Thuc accepting the compensation, my heart was filled with memories of the past in Lam Tri when we lived happily together. I thought that was the beautiful dream of life, but I never expected to be betrayed and harmed by Hoan Thu. I lamented:
- Your wife is truly wicked, meeting a thief like herself. I beg forgiveness for all the grievances and wrongs she has caused me.
Seeing Hoan Thu's pale face and trembling body, I smirked mockingly, greeting her:
- Oh look, the young lady has finally come to me. Women are always cunning; in the past, they were sweet, but now they're bold. The more ruthless you become, the more misfortune you'll encounter. That's sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind.
She trembled in fear, kneeling down and pleading with me:
She explained that jealousy was just a common trait of women. She reminded me of the time she lived in my house, how I allowed her to stay close to Buddhist teachings. When she left, I didn't try to stop her. As a woman, she couldn't easily overlook her husband's affection for another woman. Now she hopes for my forgiveness, relying on my generosity and understanding. She begs me to consider.
Quite impressed by Hoan Thu's eloquence, I found her to be cunning and clever to a point where I struggled. I thought exposing her crimes would justify punishing her for her extreme jealousy and cruelty. However, she argued that she was a victim of polygamy, a common issue for women. As a woman myself, I understood her reasoning, but her offenses couldn't be overlooked. Yet, since she acknowledged her fault and sought my forgiveness, I decided to pardon her, sparing her from severe punishment to avoid tarnishing her reputation. I told Hoan Thu:
- Commend Hoan Thu for her exceptional wit and agreeable speech. Considering her repentance, I forgive her as if she had committed no wrong. Now, she and Thuc should return to Lam Tri to live with integrity and perform good deeds.
Thuc Sinh and Hoan Thu quickly bowed their heads in gratitude and retreated. All the soldiers cheered, praising my leniency and magnanimity. I was also happy and fulfilled for repaying Thuc and administering justified punishment, aligning with our people's moral principles towards Hoan Thu. Next, I had to repay many others, including the flesh traders like Ma Giam Sinh, Tu Ba, and Bac Ba... they couldn't be forgiven, they had to be eliminated to prevent further harm to the people. Thus, Tu performed their execution. Everyone cheered in approval. Thus, the repayment and retribution unfolded beautifully. The good people were rewarded with silk, gold, and silver, while the evildoers were punished to satisfy the people's hearts.
In my wandering life, full of hardships and trials, the period of repayment and retribution that Tu Hai bestowed upon me was the happiest and most fulfilling time of my life. And the one who left the deepest impression on me was Hoan Thu. A cunning person, who caused trouble but was very shrewd, tactful in handling situations, speaking wisely, making everyone difficult to deal with. Truly commendable!
Sample Essay #3: Playing the role of Thuy Kieu recounting the gratitude and retribution to everyone
After being deceived by So Khanh and falling into Tu Ba's trap, suffering severe beatings, unable to bear the humiliation and resentment, I sought death to escape. Afraid of losing both capital and profit, Tu Ba had to pretend to be compassionate, promising to find me a worthy husband. She took me to reside in Ngung Bich Tower, claiming it was to calm my mind, but in reality, she imprisoned me, waiting for the day to sell me off.
It was here that I was fortunate to encounter the renowned hero Tu Hai. He generously redeemed me from the brothel and took me as his wife. From the status of a courtesan, I was elevated to the position of a noble lady by him. During a conversation with him, I expressed my desire to repay debts and seek justice to alleviate the long-held burdens in my heart. Being a righteous man who couldn't bear injustice, Tu Hai agreed to help me fulfill that wish.
He immediately dispatched several troops. They headed to Vo Tich, then to Lam Tri, gathering my benefactors and apprehending those who had wronged me. The next morning, Tu Hai held a trial. Amidst the troops, he and I stood side by side to administer justice. The courtroom scene was solemn. Soldiers lined up on both sides, their swords gleaming, instilling fear in the hearts of the guilty. Tu Hai entrusted me with full authority to judge. I decided to dispense gratitude first, retribution later.
When Thuc Sinh was summoned before the tribunal, I saw his face pale, his hands trembling, unable to meet anyone's gaze. People often say: 'One should remember a favor received, and a borrowed boat should be returned.' Especially since I and he were once husband and wife, albeit briefly. I gently greeted him:
- I bid you greetings! Your kindness towards me weighs as heavy as a mountain. Do you remember me, your former companion in Lam Tri? Whom else should we blame for our separation at Sam Thuong? Whom else did I disappoint? But let bygones be bygones. Thankfully, heaven has eyes, and I have overcome many difficulties. Now, I have a small gift to express my gratitude to you!
Having spoken, I ordered my soldiers to bring out a hundred rolls of precious silk and a thousand taels of silver to repay Thuc Sinh's kindness. I also made it clear that his devilish wife would pay the price for her deceitful and cruel schemes she used to torment me for months.
One by one, Master Tam Hop, Vai Giac Duyen, the housekeeper, Kieu Nhi... all the benefactors who helped me in my time of need were respectfully invited to receive my gratitude and reciprocation. Seeing me free from distress, everyone rejoiced. I asked everyone to stay to witness my retribution.
When the soldiers brought Hoan Thu to the scene, I tried to contain the anger boiling inside me, mockingly asking her:
- Greetings, young miss! Surely, you couldn't have imagined setting foot here again, could you?! Rarely have I seen a woman as dreadful as you in this world. But it's a common saying, the more ruthless one is, the more injustices they'll face!
Seeing before her the once submissive maid Hoa No now brought low to the point of not daring to lift her head, Hoan Thu suddenly paled, her demeanor faltering, hastily bowing and begging for forgiveness. A true epitome of deception, her exterior joviality belies a murderous intent. Despite her fear, she remained composed to clarify and explain her actions:
- Madam! My offense against you stemmed from nothing but the common affliction of jealousy among women. Upon reflection, I also harbor some sympathy for you. Like when I transcribed scriptures for you at Quan Am Pavilion, or when I knew of your escape yet did not send someone to pursue. Truly, I admire your talents and beauty. However, matters of shared husbands are not easily relinquished. Now realizing my role in causing strife and turmoil, I humbly ask for your magnanimity in forgiving me!
Hearing her plea, I sensed her acknowledgment of guilt. To slay her in vengeance would be too easy! Thus, I pardoned her. Surely, the horror of today will haunt her for life as she witnesses the executions of flesh traders like Tu Ba, Ma Giam Sinh, So Khanh, and the brutish heads Ung and Khuyen.
Thus, under the clear sky, my deeds of gratitude and retribution have been resolved. I turned to thank the greatest benefactor of my life, the heroic Tu Hai. He responded with heartfelt words: 'Your deeds are mine as well, what is there to thank?! I only hope that from now on, you will live happily, relieved of the burden in your heart!' I was deeply moved by his genuine sentiment, echoing my own thoughts.
Sample 4: Acting as Thuy Kieu recounting the tale of gratitude and vengeance to everyone
After months of suffering and humiliation in the green chambers, I was fortunate to encounter Tu Hai, who helped me escape the sordid life and aided me in repaying debts and settling all grievances. The scene of settling all debts and grudges on that day is unforgettable.
The first person I invited to repay gratitude was Tu Sinh. I said to him: 'When I encountered misfortune in the green chambers, you, with your heroic heart, came to my rescue. How could I ever forget that kindness? Although we were not meant to be husband and wife as you once hoped, I will forever remember your kindness. Here is a small gift to express my gratitude. As for your wife, she must pay for her wickedness.
When Hoan Thu was brought forward, I greeted her in the same manner as when I was forced to serve as a maid in her household: 'Miss has finally arrived. In the past, you were so cruel, and now you must bear the consequences. Those who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind, and the more cruel one is, the more unjust fate they shall face. Women like you are rare in this world.' Hearing my words, Hoan Thu was visibly shaken. However, being inherently cunning and accustomed to deceit, she immediately spoke up, saying: 'I am just a woman, prone to jealousy like any other. No one willingly gives up their husband. Besides, I also cherish you. I showed my affection when you fled Quan Am Pagoda, I did not send anyone after you. But regardless, I am guilty and I only hope for your forgiveness.' Considering her wise and firm words, I thought, 'pardoning her is also a form of happiness,' so I ordered to spare Hoan Thu.
Sample 5: Portraying Thuy Kieu recounting the tale of gratitude and vengeance to everyone
'Why does fate twist and turn?
Human life is full of unpredictable trials and tribulations.'
Father! Mother! Brothers! Beloved! If you wish to know about my life during those years of wandering, let me narrate the most illustrious chapter. Who would have thought that from a disgraced figure, I would suddenly become a lady of a military commander wielding power over the lives of many wicked and unjust individuals? If you understand my heart, then listen to my story: Repayment of kindness, settling of grievances.
Thanks to Từ Hải - a general who split the mountain, defying the court, I became a lady commander's wife. He inquired about those who had helped me, those who had harmed me, plunging me into misery. Then he invited all the benefactors and captured all the villains for me to have full authority in judgment. That day, he and I sat in court - repaying kindness and settling grievances. First was Thúc Sinh, who had saved me from the green pavilion. Thúc stepped in, red-faced, trembling. I thought, perhaps he's too scared. I knew he was weak, but I didn't blame him. Though his wife, Hoạn Thư, always tortured me with jealousy, that's a story for another time! Now it's time for me to repay him. I said: 'Greetings, Thúc! Today, inviting you here is to express my gratitude, to repay you!'.
He didn't dare say anything, but upon hearing this, he gathered courage and said: 'Yes..!'. I continued: 'The debt you owe me is beyond measure, but here are a hundred rolls of brocade, a thousand pounds of silver to show my gratitude. I hope you accept.' The servant brought the gifts, and he accepted them. But I thought: 'Why should he accept, is he still scared?' Let him go as there are many more debts to repay.' I added: 'Your demon-like wife, this time thieves meet their match'. He left, and I continued repaying others.
Then it came to settling grievances, the first one I had to seek revenge on, all the grudges, was Hoạn Thư, Thúc Sinh's first wife. As soon as she entered, I greeted her: 'Miss is here too?' Then I continued with more vigor: 'Women have many tricks. From ancient times until now, many have been cunning and sly like you.' She quickly knelt down, partly because she recognized me sitting there, partly because she saw rows of soldiers in armor, swords drawn. I thought: 'Perhaps she'll panic now, beg for mercy. Knowing her guilt, she'll know what 'you reap what you sow' means.' I continued with more determination: 'Easily comes the fair face, but the more ruthless, the more unjust.' At this point, Hoạn Thư understood. But she was too cunning, she still calmly pleaded. I knew she would lament, would defend herself, at this point I could bid her farewell from this world, but I still wanted to see what she would say, partly because I wanted to see if she would repent. If she did, I could show mercy and spare her. She began: 'Madam, I am but a lowly woman, so I'm like any other. I was jealous, which is a common thing, thinking back then I, a lowly person, let you live in the attic and even when you left, I dared not curse, nor did I chase you back, even though I knew valuable things had been lost. Also, it's because of the polygamous system, one husband and many wives, it's not easy for anyone. But also because of this wretch causing trouble, now I can only rely on Madam's vast and forgiving heart. Madam, please think and have pity on this lowly person.'
I was extremely shocked, praising her for being so wise in her speech. She was truly cunning, wise, crafty, and clever. But her words made sense, I, too, being a woman, need to understand the common thoughts of women: jealousy. Forgiving her would be fortunate for her, but if she continues, she'll be the one in a vulnerable position. So, I forgave her and added: 'Know how to repent because by doing good deeds, you'll encounter many good things. Remember the saying: sow goodness, reap goodness, sow evil, reap evil.' After that, I also judged many others. They were all wicked, ruthless, and unjust. I only told it like it was.
Having endured countless bitterness and humiliation, I have come to understand the essence of life: 'Beauty is fleeting'. But now, reunited with my family, with father, mother, siblings, and a loyal lover, what else is there to happiness? Life always follows its course: 'Encounter many hardships and you will find happiness'. I find it to be true!
In addition to the above content, you can also explore the section Preparing the Story of Kiều by Nguyễn Du to prepare for the content of the Story of Kiều - Nguyễn Du in the Literature textbook for Grade 9.
