1. Reference Essay 1
After burying Dế Choắt, I stood in silence for a while in front of the newly built tomb of my unfortunate friend, reflecting on my foolish and arrogant actions, feeling ashamed and deeply regretful!
Knowing I had the advantage in health, I enjoyed bullying the smaller neighbors around. I scolded the Cào Cào sisters on the riverbank, making them hide their oval faces under the grass branches every time I passed by. Worse, sometimes I even scratched my itchy foot on Gọng Vó, who was mud-covered and bewildered under the pond. With no one to teach or restrain me, I thought it was amusing and clever. Bullying others might be reproachable, but it could still be forgiven. However, my mischievous teasing of Sister Cốc, which led to Dế Choắt's misunderstanding and fatal misjudgment, is truly a grave offense that cannot be forgiven.
Self-condemning as a miserable coward, daring to act but not to endure, I regret a lot! Why didn't I confront Sister Cốc when she got angry, instead of cowering in fear in the den, terrified and motionless?! If I hadn't taunted Sister Cốc with offensive words, she wouldn't have gotten angry, and Dế Choắt wouldn't have faced an unjust fate! It's my enormous fault that I must bear.
At this moment, I blamed myself and felt profound regret, but alas, it was too late! Poor Dế Choắt, weak and pitiful, now rests peacefully in the earth! Dế Choắt, I sincerely apologize to you and promise to change my character, renounce my unruly, mischievous, and arrogant habits to become a useful person in life! Please forgive me! I will engrave this heart-wrenching story and take it as my first profound life lesson.

2. Reference Essay 3
After causing the tragic death of Dế Choắt, I decided to return to the countryside. However, before leaving, I wanted to visit Choắt one last time.
I lit some incense for Choắt and cleared the grass around the tomb. I stood silently for a long time in front of Dế Choắt's grave, deeply regretting my own actions that led to Choắt's unjust death. If only I had pulled Dế Choắt back when I had the chance... If only I had accepted Choắt's plea, things wouldn't be like this now.
I felt regret and sorrow. My reckless jokes had caused an innocent creature to suffer. I was angry at my wild and arrogant behavior. The more I thought about Choắt's words, the more profound my remorse became. Today, I was fortunate to escape unharmed, but if I didn't correct my violent and mischievous tendencies, I might have invited disaster upon myself sooner or later. This incident has truly taught me a life lesson too significant to forget. I must do something to give life and meaning back to Choắt. I am a coward for causing harm without admitting guilt, creating an evil act that led to the painful death of my good sibling.
At this moment, I blamed myself and felt profound regret, but alas, it was too late! Poor Dế Choắt, weak and pitiful, now rests peacefully in the earth! Thank you, Choắt! Without you, it might have been me leaving this world. Now, I will return to the countryside, perhaps never to come back here again. I promise Choắt that I will abandon my violent and arrogant tendencies, striving to become a useful member of society. Sleep well, and please forgive me.
Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes. I miss you, my good sibling. I knelt silently for a long time in front of Choắt's grave and then left. No matter what, you will always be my good sibling.

3. Reference Essay 2
The passage narrates the relationship between Cricket and Beetle in Chapter 1 of Tô Hoài's adventure tale, 'Cricket's Adventure.' This is an insightful and educational excerpt.
Beetle is Cricket's neighbor. The name Beetle was given by Cricket with a mocking and disdainful attitude. Cricket looks at Beetle with a contemptuous eye, deeming Beetle truly ugly: 'The guy Beetle, skinny and long, looked like a drug addict. He's an adult but his wings are short, reaching only to his waist... His wings are tattered, heavy... What a stubby beard, and his face always looks blank and foolish... Cricket speaks to Beetle with a very condescending tone, insulting him: - Oh, stop it, you! Are you growing up and still not smart.'
When Beetle lamented about his weakness and wanted Cricket to help dig a passage through the cave in case of emergencies, Cricket became furious, scolding Beetle like a storm:
- Ugh! Pass through to my place? Easy to hear, right! You stink like a cat. I can't stand it. Well, stop your dripping rain song and get out of here. Dig a hole yourself if you want to die!
As Cricket admits: In fact, I only speak for the pleasure of my mouth. Cricket doesn't want to hear anyone and doesn't care if anyone listens to him. Through Cricket's attitude and words towards Beetle, we see Cricket as arrogant, belittling neighborly relations, and lacking compassion for his kind.
Youth has many virtues and not a few vices. Cricket is no exception. He comes up with clever and mischievous pranks, sometimes causing regrettable consequences. Seeing Chị Cốc's shadow in front of the cave, Cricket immediately conceived the idea of inviting Beetle to tease her. When Dế Choắt appeared hesitant and tried to stop it, Cricket scolded: - Afraid? What do you say I'm afraid of? Do you say I know who I'm more afraid of than me?
Cricket, with a proud attitude, spoke to Beetle:
- Open your eyes and see me teasing the sister Cốc here, then croon a folk song about her with a deliberate attempt to provoke. When Chị Cốc got angry, Cricket quickly slipped into the deep cave, lying on the bed, folding his legs in the shape of the number five, delighting in his mischievous antics. Unfortunately for Beetle, unable to escape in time, he was misunderstood by Chị Cốc and suffered multiple fatal blows.
Hearing Dế Choắt's pitiful cries, Cricket, in fear, lay still. It was only then that Cricket understood what fear was. Waiting until Chị Cốc left, Cricket cautiously crawled to Beetle's cave. Seeing Beetle lying lifelessly, Cricket knelt in horror, lifting Beetle's head, truly regretting his foolish actions: I regret a lot! I regret it! The unjust death of Beetle has awakened Cricket's conscience. To redeem his mistake, Cricket buried Beetle carefully. After that incident, Cricket felt sorrowful and regretful. He blamed himself for being reckless and foolish. From then on, he tried to change his character to become a good person.
The first lesson Cricket learned from causing Beetle's unjust death was: In life, having a violent and mischievous habit, having a mind without thinking, sooner or later, will bring trouble upon oneself... The writer borrowed the words of Dế Choắt before dying to remind young readers not to be arrogant or self-satisfied. We must cultivate our character to become kind and useful individuals.
This excerpt typifies Tô Hoài's unique art of depicting animals. With a distinctive personification technique, the author has given the character Cricket a soul and a personality that is both unique and universal. Cricket has become a character with all the lovable qualities and common vices of a young person. Reading the story, we find in Cricket a faint resemblance to ourselves, and the more we contemplate, the more profound the valuable lessons that Tô Hoài has skillfully embedded.

4. Reference Essay 5
After burying Cricket, I stood in silence for a while in front of the newly built tomb of my unfortunate friend, contemplating my reckless and arrogant actions, feeling deeply ashamed and regretful!
Being aware of my health advantage, I enjoyed bullying the small neighbors around me. I would scold the Cào Cào sisters who lived by the riverbank, making them hide their oval faces under the grass every time I passed by, only daring to sneak a glance. Worse still, I sometimes itched to kick Gọng Vó, who was muddy and dazed under the pond. With no one to teach or restrain me, I thought what I did was clever and impressive. Bullying others might be reproachable, but what I did, teasing Chị Cốc and causing Dế Choắt to be misunderstood and killed, is truly an enormous crime, unforgivable.
Hearing Dế Choắt's pitiful cries, I, in fear, lay still. It was only then that I understood what fear was. Waiting until Chị Cốc left, I cautiously crawled to Dế Choắt's cave. Seeing Dế Choắt lying lifelessly, I knelt in horror, lifting Choắt's head, truly regretting my foolish and mischievous actions: I regret a lot! I regret it! The unjust death of Dế Choắt has awakened my conscience. To redeem my mistake, I buried Dế Choắt carefully. After that incident, I felt sorrowful, regretful, blaming myself for being shallow, arrogant, and from then on, I tried to improve myself to become a better person.
The first lesson I learned from the story with Dế Choắt is: In life, having a violent and mischievous habit, having a mind without thinking, sooner or later, will bring trouble upon oneself. From a young age, we must cultivate our character to become kind and useful individuals.

5. Reference Essay 4
After burying Cricket, I stood in front of his grave, reflecting on my actions.
My twisted pranks led to the suffering of Cricket in my stead. Aware of my health advantage, I enjoyed bullying the smaller neighbors around. I would scold the Cào Cào sisters by the riverbank, and occasionally, I even itched to kick Gọng Vó, who stood dazed under the pond. With no one to guide or restrain me, I thought it was clever and impressive. Bullying others might be reproachable, but what I did, teasing Chị Cốc and causing Dế Choắt to be misunderstood and killed, is truly an enormous crime, unforgivable.
Poor Dế Choắt! I will never dare to forget this heartbreaking story in my lifetime. Just because of my arrogant nature, considering myself the best, I harmed my neighbor. Today's incident has indeed taught me a profound lesson. I will surely always remember this lesson. Acknowledge oneself as strong, but I dared not admit my mistake, letting Dế Choắt take the blame. At this moment, I felt like a coward. But when I realized my mistake, it was too late; my error cost Dế Choắt's life. Therefore, the only way to redeem my mistake is to change my arrogant ways.
Today's incident has truly taught me a life lesson. Surely, I will never forget Choắt in moments of remorse and his sincere words. Choắt, forgive me. Standing before your grave, I promise to become a useful person.

