Exemplary essays retelling the story of Tấm Cám from Tấm's perspective are useful reference materials, helping students grasp unique details, vivid imagery in the story, and retell it in a more innovative, creative way. Some exemplary essays embodying Tấm's character retelling the story of Tấm Cám, carefully selected from the works of grade 10 students nationwide, compiled and curated by Codon.vn Blog, invite students, parents, and teachers to refer to and improve their compositions.
Outline, exemplary narrative, summary of the story of Tấm Cám in Tấm's best narrative
1. Embodying Tấm's character recounting her life story, exemplary piece number 1
I am Tấm, the queen of a kingdom. On that day, the anniversary of my father's death, I returned home with offerings of filial piety, but little did I know, my life began with many unexpected events happening on that very day.
I arrived home while the sun was still lingering over the bamboo grove. My aunt and Cám greeted me unusually warmly. My aunt asked me to climb the areca tree to pick a betel nut chamber for father's offering. I obeyed, climbing up. I remembered the days when I had not become the queen, I still used to climb and pick betel nuts to sell. So many memories suddenly came back.
I have been orphaned since I was a child, shortly after my mother passed away, my father took his leave. But not long after, he also left me. Since then, I have lived with my step-aunt and Cám - my half-sister from another mother. After father's death, I had to do a lot of work: tending the buffaloes in the fields from early morning, then fetching water, cutting potatoes, scooping water spinach. At night, I had to grind rice, and the work never seemed to end...
Once, my aunt gave me and Cám each a basket and told us to go to the field to catch shrimp and crabs. Whoever caught more would be rewarded with a red yem. I caught crabs and snails quickly as I was used to it, but Cám deceived me, quickly putting all the shrimp into her basket. When I found out, I could only sit and cry. Bụt appeared and asked me about the situation. Then Bụt instructed me to look again in the basket to see if there was anything left. In the basket, there was only a small fish left. I took that little fish home to raise, but not long after, it was eaten by someone. Bụt appeared again and instructed me to find the bones of the fish and bury them under the four bedposts.
Shortly after, the king held a festival. My aunt and Cám didn't want me to go, so they mixed a bag of rice with a bag of wheat and asked me to separate them. I cried again, and Bụt appeared to help, sending a flock of sparrows down to help me pick. But thinking about not having any clothes to wear to the festival, my tears fell. Bụt appeared again and instructed me to dig up the four jars at the foot of the bed. Oh! How many things there were. There were beautiful clothes, embroidered shoes, a horse, and a beautiful saddle. I quickly changed clothes, mounted the horse, and went to the festival. Unfortunately, on the way, I lost one shoe, so I wrapped the remaining shoe in a cloth and continued. Until now, I still don't know why the king picked up that shoe of mine. It was also because of that, that I now have the happiness of being the king's wife.
Suddenly, my entire body shook, bringing me back to reality. I quickly asked my aunt, and she said it was ants. I hadn't had a chance to tear the betel nut, and the tree fell. Before I lost consciousness, I still recognized that it was my aunt who had plotted against me.
My eyes slowly closed, and I felt like I was being taken to another world. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer myself but a small golden bird. I flew back to the palace with the desire to be by my husband's side. It turns out my wicked aunt and Cám conspired to replace me by his side. So, I perched on a branch and sang out loud:
'Hang the clothes of my husband, hang the clothes of my labor, but do not hang on the fence, tearing my husband's clothes.'
After that, I went to find my husband. Because of the joyful singing, I always lingered by his side. Until he said, 'My gold, my darling, is it true that my wife hides in the folds of my clothes?' then I knew that he still remembered me.
He then instructed someone to make a golden cage for me to live in, and then he and I cuddled together again. Seeing that, Cám, taking advantage of his absence, killed me and threw my feathers into the garden. This time, the Spirit appeared again. Now I knew that last time the Spirit had helped me transform into gold, giving me a chance to live again. This time, it helped me transform into two peach trees right at that pile of bird feathers. When walking in the garden, not many large trees spread shade, so he ordered his servants to set up a hammock for him.
Although I couldn't say anything in the form of a peach tree, I was very happy to be by his side. It didn't take long before Cám determined to act against me. In that stormy night, Cám used a knife to chop me into pieces. I was in pain, but I couldn't scream. Cám took me and turned me into a frame. Out of anger, when Cám used the frame, I cursed: 'Hanging laundry hanging tight, taking my husband, she digs her eyes out.'
Cám, terrified, fled away, finally using a flame to make me lose consciousness once again. Perhaps wanting to ensure more, it carried all the remaining ashes of mine out of the palace, taking them far away.
But fate perhaps did not want us to be apart forever, so from my ashes sprouted a plum tree. My human form transformed once again. I became a single plum on the tree, emitting a fragrant aroma. One day, a water vendor smelled the fragrance, looked up, and said, 'Plum, oh plum, falling into my hands, I'll smell you but not eat you,' then I knew I had truly met a good person. I surrendered my destiny into the hands of that human, hoping this would be the last transformation.
I may have made the right choice by falling into the hands of that water vendor. Every day, she went to the market, and that's when I emerged from the plum to help her tidy up the house. It was blissful to return to human form.
As usual, when the old woman left the house, I would emerge from the plum to help her tidy up, but today she suddenly returned. She ran straight to me, embraced me tightly, and tore apart the plum. From then on, I lived with the old woman, and she treated me like her own daughter. Though I had a peaceful life, I always remembered my beloved, so I always held onto the trau wings while reminiscing about him.
In the end, perhaps out of fate's pity, my husband wandered into the water vendor's stall, recognizing the familiar trau leaf and inquiring about it. Thus, my husband and I were reunited, bringing immense joy to my heart.
After enduring much suffering, now I only hope to live out the rest of my life in peace and happiness by my husband's side. And I suddenly realized, everything in this world is interconnected by karma. Good begets good, and evil begets evil.
Compilation of exemplary stories retelling the tale of Tấm Cám from the perspective of Tấm, concise and remarkable.
Tấm Cám is a legendary fairy tale genre of Vietnam. To better understand various fairy tale genres, classifications, and other interesting stories, you can refer to this article on wikipedia.org.
2. Embodying the character Tấm retelling the story of Tấm Cám concisely, exemplary piece 2
I am Tấm, and my sister is Cám - born of the same father but different mothers. Losing my mother early, my father followed soon after, leaving me to live with my stepmother and Cám. I want to recount my life, full of ups and downs, for everyone to hear.
Although the younger one at home, Cám was pampered by our mother and exempted from household chores. I handled everything on my own, except for meal times when Cám reluctantly did a few trivial tasks. As for my stepmother, she always scolded me for no reason. But I never complained.
One day, our stepmother instructed Cám and me to collect shrimp; whoever collected more would earn a red scarf. I had never owned such a scarf, so I eagerly joined in. While I diligently gathered shrimp, Cám wandered around picking flowers and chasing butterflies. When it was time to return, Cám claimed to be tired, so I believed her and washed her hair before heading back. Little did I know, Cám deceitfully emptied the shrimp into her basket and took the scarf. Devastated, I could only cry. Suddenly, the Spirit appeared, pointing to the basket and advising me to look for any remaining fish, which I did. I then took the fish home and cared for it, feeding it daily.
I went far to herd buffalo, unaware of what my mother and Cám were up to at home. Upon arriving, I found no sign of the fish, only a pool of blood in the well. Devastated and sorrowful for the fish, I wept. This time, the Spirit appeared again, instructing me to find the fish bones and bury them in four pots under the bed, a mysterious task I didn't fully comprehend.
Eagerly anticipating the festival, my disappointment matched my anticipation. Though naturally patient, I obediently followed my stepmother's instructions without complaint. Despite not being as well-dressed or refined as others, attending the festival was a delight. Cám's jealousy prompted her to devise ways to keep me home. My stepmother mixed rice and wheat, instructing me to pick through it before being allowed to attend. I couldn't possibly finish such a task alone. Once again, the Spirit intervened, sending sparrows to pick the wheat, then instructing me to dig up the four pots.
Overjoyed, I expressed gratitude to the Spirit. Ready to go, I quickly mounted my horse and headed to the festival. While crossing a stream, I accidentally dropped one of my slippers into the water, unable to retrieve it in time. Upon arriving at the festival, I stopped my horse, wrapped the remaining slipper in a cloth, and joined the crowd. Little did I know, when the king's golden palanquin reached the stream, the leading elephants refused to move, trumpeting loudly. Sensing something amiss, the king's soldiers searched and found my embroidered slipper, quickly presenting it to the king. Admiring the slipper, the king praised: 'This slipper is exquisite! Whoever fits it must be a remarkable beauty!' The king decreed that all women who fit the slipper would become queen.
The festival grew livelier. Women crowded around to try the slipper, but none fit. Even my mother and Cám attempted their luck. Stepping forward, I caught Cám whispering to our mother, but our stepmother, skeptical, scoffed: 'Ridiculous! The noble bell won't even toll for her, let alone a piece of slipper tossed aside!' I calmly tried on the slipper. It fit perfectly. Because the slipper belonged to me. I uncovered the remaining slipper and walked in. The two were identical. The soldiers cheered, joyously informing the king. Immediately, the king sent a procession of maidens to escort me to the palace and crowned me queen.
I ask permission to help my stepmother and stepsister prepare the offering on the anniversary of our father's death. Despite becoming queen, they concealed their jealousy. Little did I know, my stepmother instructed me to climb the betel tree, fetch a betel box to honor our father, then pushed me to my death. As I ascended, she cut the tree down. Falling into the pond, I drowned. My stepmother dressed Cám in my clothes and presented her to the king, falsely claiming I had tragically perished, now offering my sister as a replacement.
My spirit then transformed into a pair of golden birds, spending my days roaming the palace gardens. Wanting to stay by the king's side, I observed his melancholy. Seeing me fluttering nearby, the king remarked: 'Golden bird, is it you, my wife, nestling in my sleeve!' Nestling gently, I perched on his shoulder and nestled in his sleeve. Enraged, Cám informed my stepmother, who, seizing the opportunity while the king was away, had me slaughtered and my feathers cast into the garden. Inquiring about my absence, the king was deceived by Cám's lie: 'I carried her, craving bird meat, and secretly slaughtered her.' The king, furious, remained silent.
The next day, from the feathers of the bird, I transformed into two beautiful peach trees. As the king strolled through the garden, the trees' branches and leaves provided shade, resembling two canopies. Impressed, the king instructed his attendants to hang a hammock between the two trees, where he lounged to enjoy the cool breeze. Cám, once again, informed my stepmother, prompting her to instruct Cám to hire craftsmen to chop down the peach trees, claiming they were to be made into frames for weaving clothes for the king. When transformed into the frame, I silently conveyed to Cám:
'Brimming with spite,
'Seize the husband's painting,
Gouge out her eyes!'
Startled, Cám whispered to her mother, the stepmother instructed her to burn the frame into ashes and scatter them far away. Cám complied, but from the ashes sprouted a tall and lush plum tree. In due season, the tree bloomed with many flowers but bore only one fruit. I resided within that plum for so long, uncertain of what the future held.
One day, an elderly woman selling water nearby passed by, caught the fragrance, looked up, and said: 'Plum, oh plum, if you fall, it's on me. Let me smell you, but I won't eat you.' Seeing the kind-hearted old woman, I fell. When the old woman went to the market or was away from home, I emerged from the plum, quietly tidied up the house, and cooked rice for her. Suspicious, the old woman intentionally sought the truth. Once, pretending to go to the market for a while, she quickly returned, hiding behind the door. Seeing me at work, she rushed over, hugged me tightly, and tore apart the plum. From then on, I helped her pack cakes, cook water, and offered betel leaves for her to sit and sell her goods.
One day, the king visited the water stand. Seeing the betel leaves resembling phoenix wings, he inquired about the owner, and the old lady replied that her daughter did the decoration. I stood behind the curtain, listening attentively to the conversation and recognizing the king. The king insisted that the old lady bring her daughter out for him to see. As soon as I appeared, the king recognized me immediately and instructed the old lady to recount the situation. He then ordered his attendants to escort me and the old lady back to the palace. I was overjoyed and filled with happiness because the fate of marriage is not easily obtained, and after so long apart, we were reunited.
Seeing me still alive and even more beautiful than before, Cám wondered why. I explained to Cám that bathing with boiling water would make one beautiful. Excitedly, Cám followed suit, unaware that boiling water could cause burns and she immediately perished. Seeing this, the stepmother was horrified and collapsed, also perishing. From then on, I lived happily with the king, and no one could stop our love and life together.
Sample writing retelling the story of Tấm Cám from Tấm's perspective
3. Retell the story of Tấm Cám from Tấm's perspective, concise model number 3
Living in this village, everyone knows about the three of us, I'm Tấm, my sister is Cám - we share the same father but have different mothers. I live with my stepmother and Cám. Despite being the younger one at home, Cám is spoiled by my mother and doesn't have to do any household chores. I do everything myself, except when it comes to mealtime, that's when Cám reluctantly does some trivial tasks, acting spoiled. My stepmother always scolds me for no reason when she wants to vent her anger or envy, but I don't complain because I understand it's just the way things are, and my stepmother has also suffered a lot to raise us.
One day, my stepmother instructed me and Cám to pick water chestnuts, whoever picked more would get the chance to wear the royal hat. Since I've never had the opportunity to wear such a hat since I was little, I was excited about the prospect. We went to the field to catch crabs and gather snails since dawn. I noticed Cám often wandered off to pick flowers and catch butterflies instead of helping with the work. However, when it came time to return, Cám claimed to have mud in her hair, so I believed her and went to wash my hair, tidy up, and then went home. But to my surprise, Cám heartlessly sabotaged me by emptying the chestnuts into her basket and then went back to get the royal hat. I was devastated, all the effort I put in, only to be snatched away by someone else, I could only cry. Suddenly, a deity appeared out of the fog, pointed at the basket, and told me to see if there was any fish inside, to bring it home to raise. So I followed the instructions, returned home with the fish, and dropped it into the well, feeding it every day.
I went far to herd buffalo, unaware of what my mother and Cám had done at home, but when I went to feed the fish, I didn't see them anymore. I was horrified when the well surfaced with a clump of blood, feeling sorry for the fish and grieving for myself, I cried. This time, the deity reappeared, telling me to go find the fish bones and bury them in four pots, I complied, but I still didn't understand what would happen.
Looking forward to the festival day so much, I was disappointed to the same extent. Despite my patience, I obediently followed all of my stepmother's instructions without complaint. Dressed neatly, preparing everything, although not as elegantly beautiful as other people, who wouldn't like going to the festival? Cám envied me, telling my mother that she would find every way to keep me at home. My stepmother mixed rice and wheat together, instructing me to pick them all before being allowed to go. How could I pick up everything like that? Once again, the deity appeared, instructing sparrows to pick up the wheat, and then telling me to dig up the four pots.
Overwhelmed with joy, I hastily thanked the Deity. Fully prepared, I quickly mounted my horse to join the festival. As my horse galloped through the ford, I accidentally dropped one of my slippers into the water, unable to retrieve it. Upon arriving at the festival, I dismounted, carefully wrapped the remaining slipper, and squeezed into the crowd. Little did I know, as the royal palanquin arrived at the ford, the two leading elephants refused to move, standing still and trumpeting loudly. Sensing something unusual, the king ordered his soldiers to investigate, and they found my embroidered slipper, quickly presenting it to the king. The king lifted the slipper, admired it for a while, then praised: 'This slipper is exquisite! The person who fits into this slipper must be a rare beauty!'. The king ordered all women and girls to try on the slipper, declaring that whoever fit it perfectly would be married as the queen.
The festival became even more lively. Women and girls crowded around to try on the slipper, but none fit perfectly. My stepmother and Cám also tried their luck. Stepping forward, as soon as Cám saw me, she immediately whispered to my stepmother, but my stepmother didn't believe her, disdainfully saying: 'How absurd! The bell can't even eat anyone, let alone a piece of slipper thrown outside the bamboo fence!'. I just calmly tried on the shoe. My foot slid into the slipper perfectly. Because this shoe was mine. I unwrapped the cloth to take the other slipper in. The two were identical. The soldiers cheered, joyfully reporting to the king. Immediately, the king ordered a procession of maidens to escort me back to the palace and crowned me as the queen.
I asked for permission to help my stepmother and sister prepare the offering on the anniversary of our father's death. Seeing me become the queen, both of them concealed their envy, but I didn't know that my stepmother instructed me to climb the banyan tree, take a chamber to offer to our father, then push me into death. As I reached the top, my stepmother cut the root. The tree fell, and I plunged into the pond and drowned. My stepmother maliciously dressed Cám in my clothes and brought her into the palace, lying to the king that I accidentally died, and now it's time for my sister to replace me.
Then my soul transformed into a golden bird, wandering in the royal garden all day long. I wanted to be by the king's side because all day long, I only saw the king feeling melancholic. Seeing me always around, the king said: 'Golden bird, my golden bird, could you be my wife, slipping into my sleeve!'. I affectionately perched on his shoulder and nestled into the king's sleeve. Enraged, Cám went home to tell my stepmother, and at the same time, when the king was away, my stepmother and Cám slaughtered me and threw my feathers into the garden. Not seeing any trace of the golden bird, the king asked, and Cám lied: 'I brought it, but craving for bird meat, I stole it and ate it'. The king was very angry but said nothing.
The next day, I transformed from the bird feathers into two beautiful cherry blossom trees. As the king strolled in the garden, the trees' branches and leaves covered his head like two canopies. Impressed, the king ordered his attendants to hang a hammock between the trees and relax there to enjoy the cool breeze. Cám once again reported this to my stepmother, and at that moment, my wicked stepmother incited Cám to instruct craftsmen to cut down the two cherry blossom trees, claiming they would make frames for weaving clothes for the king. When transformed into the frames, I whispered to Cám.
'With this and that,
Snatch your sister's husband,
Gouge her eyes out!'
Cám, in a panic, informed our mother. Our wicked stepmother instructed Cám to burn the frame to ashes and scatter them far away. Cám obeyed, but from the ashes, a tall, lush jujube tree suddenly grew, bearing only one fruit. I've been in that fruit for so long, wondering what would become of me.
One day, an old water seller passed by, smelling the fragrant scent, and said, 'Thị, oh Thị, you're ripe, my dear. Let me sniff you, but I won't eat.' Feeling the old lady's kindness, I fell down. Whenever she went to the market or was away, I emerged from the fruit, secretly tidying up the house, cooking meals for her. She found it strange and deliberately sought the truth. Once, pretending to go to the market, she returned, hiding behind the door. Seeing me working, she rushed to hug me and tore the fruit's peel. From then on, I helped her make cakes, boil water, and betel nuts for her to sell.
One day, the king stopped by the water stall. Seeing some betel leaves with phoenix wings, he asked who made them. The old lady replied that her daughter did. I stood behind the curtain, heard the story clearly, and recognized the king. The king pleaded with the old lady to show her daughter's face. As soon as I appeared, the king recognized me immediately, instructed the old lady to explain the situation, and then ordered his attendants to carry me and the old lady back to the palace. I was overjoyed and so happy that our destiny as husband and wife, after so long apart, reunited.
Cám, seeing me still alive and even more beautiful than before, wondered why. I suggested to Cám to bathe with boiling water to become beautiful. Excitedly, Cám followed, unaware that boiling water could scald, and it instantly killed her. Seeing the horrifying sight, our wicked stepmother also collapsed and died. From then on, I lived happily with the king, and no one could hinder our love and life together.
4. Retell the story of Tấm Cám in Tấm's own words, the best version, model number 4
Now, as the happiest queen in the palace, everyone still calls me Miss Tấm as always. Remembering what has passed, I cannot help but shudder. My life has been like a rollercoaster, nine ups and downs, all because of the evil deeds of the Cám family.
I remember, one day near Tet, the air was still cold. Little Cám, like a pest, kept demanding a pretty yếm from her mother all day long. I also dreamed of such a thing, but would that ever come to me?
The wicked woman handed us two baskets and said.
- You guys go catch shrimp and crayfish here for food. Whoever catches the most will be rewarded with the red yếm - The old lady raised the bright red yếm, dazzling the eyes. Then she called her daughter over and said something unclear.
Heading to the village pond, I was busy catching and had almost filled a basket. Cám, afraid of the cold, dipped into the water for a while then sat on the bank shivering, watching me dive up and down. About to return, she said to me, 'Sister Tấm, your head is muddy, dive carefully, or Mom will scold.' When I lifted my head, Cám had turned all red, leaving my shrimp and crayfish and ran back home. I sat there crying. The Deity appeared and told me about raising the remaining baby fish in the basket.
Every day, I secretly brought rice to the well for Bống to eat, singing the song that the Deity taught me, 'Bống bống bang bang, come up to eat golden rice and silver rice at our house, don't eat bland rice and flower porridge at other people's houses.' I was sluggish in action but my emotions were not right. In the evening, as I tied the buffalo's pen, I brought rice out for Bống. I sang loudly but saw no Bống, only a lump of bruised blood floating up. Oh God, I cried like rain and wind. The Deity appeared again to comfort me and told me to find Bống's bones and put them in four jars buried under the four bed legs. With the help of a rooster, I did as the Deity instructed.
Suddenly, another spring came. The Cám family wore red yếm in their luxurious clothes to attend the festival. I hurriedly sewed a torn yếm to wear, but the wicked woman had placed a bucket of rice and grain in front of me, sweetly saying.
- Help your aunt pick up the rice first, then you can go play.
Cám gave me a sideways glance, and then both of us joined the cheerful laughter of the festival crowd. Despite picking so much rice with little gain, I burst into tears. The Deity appeared and said: Dig up four jars, and you'll find beautiful clothes to wear to the festival. Leave the basket of rice for the sparrows to pick up.
I never imagined I would have such beautiful attire. In addition to the gorgeous clothes, there was also a white horse as snow. Setting off, everyone assumed I was the queen.
As I crossed the small bridge, I dropped a slipper. The king's soldiers retrieved it, and the king was astonished by the peculiar slipper, setting a condition that whoever fit the shoe would become his wife. Of course, I was fortunate enough. Oh, what joy, tears flowed freely as a country girl suddenly became the king's wife.
Once again, another year comes around for me to commemorate my father's memorial. I personally plucked some betel leaves to offer before the altar. However, my spiteful aunt cut down the betel tree, causing me to fall into the pond. My spirit merged into a golden bird flying strangely sideways, yet I still lived within that tiny bird.
That day, I flew back to the royal palace and saw Cinderella washing clothes for the King. I knew Cinderella had ascended to become the Queen. I sang, 'Wash your husband's clothes clean, or else I'll tear your face apart with my words.'
When the King heard me, I said, 'Your Majesty, does the Queen hide in your sleeves?' Immediately, I nestled into the King's embrace. Since then, I've been under the King's care. But one night, Cinderella reached into the coop and cruelly throttled me. It devoured me and left feathers in the garden. Once again, I transformed into two flourishing almond trees. Every day, the King lounges beneath my cool shade.
Cinderella knew about it; she sent someone to chop the trees down and turned me into a spinning wheel. I was furious, so each time she wove fabric, I gnashed my teeth, 'Stubborn and blind, taking another's husband, I'll gouge your eyes out.' This time, she burned me to ashes and dumped me on the roadside. The Fairy then transformed me into a mulberry tree. And when the mulberries ripened, only one was fragrant. The Fairy concealed me within it during the harvest season.
One day, I heard the song of an old woman selling water: 'Water, water, come and get it, don't just smell it, taste it.' Surely the old lady would be surprised to see me falling right into her trap. Feeling sorry for the lonely old lady, I decided to be kind. Every day, I cooked delicious meals for her, then I would hide inside the water jar. But one day, while cooking rice, the old lady suddenly burst in, grabbed me, and tore apart the water jar. Since then, I've lived with the old lady like a mother and child. One day, I saw the old lady leading my husband here. It was known because the king recognized the piece of betel leaf that I often served to the king. The husband and wife met with both joy and sorrow. The king immediately sent soldiers to escort me back to the palace. The toad, without shame, kept following me, asking me to make it beautiful like me. Furious, I told it to stay in a pit, then I ordered someone to bury it alive. Later, the soldiers made it into fish sauce and sent it back to Toad's birth mother.
It's said that when the old hag finishes eating most of the meat, only then does she lower her head and lie down at the bottom, finally at peace. She rolls over and dies in frustration.
The list of sample essays retelling the story of Tấm Cám in the words of the character Tấm, carefully selected and rich in detail, will help readers strengthen their vocabulary, choose valuable details, and enrich their own essays for high scores. Next, to improve high school writing skills, students should also refer to the list of sample essays analyzing the poem Thương vợ (Missing Wife) by Tú Xương or analyze the third stanza of the poem Tây Tiến (Advancing Westward), carefully selected by us.
