Top 6 Outstanding Essays on 'The Dragon and the Fairy'

I. READING – COMPREHENSION:

Question 1: What details in the story reveal the extraordinary and noble nature of the origin and appearance of Lac Long Quan and Au Co?

* Extraordinary, grand, and beautiful origin and appearance:

- Lac Long Quan and Au Co are both deities. Long Quan is the dragon deity, residing underwater, the son of the dragon goddess Long Nu. Au Co, a fairy, lives on the high mountains, belonging to the lineage of Thanh Nong.

- Lac Long Quan has 'invincible strength' and performs 'many miracles.' Au Co is 'exquisitely beautiful.'

* Nation-building endeavors:

- Lac Long Quan also 'helped people eliminate Ngư Tinh, Hồ Tinh, Mộc Tinh.'

- The deity also 'taught people how to farm, raise animals, and manners of living.'

Question 2: What is peculiar about the union of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, and the story of Au Co giving birth? Why did Lac Long Quan and Au Co divide their children in such a way, and according to this story, who are the Vietnamese people descendants of?

- The meeting and union: Lac Long Quan and Au Co meet, fall in love, and become husband and wife, living together in the Long Trang palace.

- The birth of Au Co: she gave birth to a hundred eggs, hatching into a hundred beautiful children, as lovely as deities.
- Au Co and Lac Long Quan divided the children: fifty went to the sea with Lac Long Quan, and fifty went to the mountains with Au Co. This division aimed to manage the regions more easily.

- According to this story, the Vietnamese people are descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy.

Question 3: What do you understand by imaginary details? Clearly state the role of these details in the story.

- Imaginary details are those that do not exist – elements with fantastical and extraordinary characteristics.

- The role of these imaginary details in the story:

+, Explain the high, unusual, and beautiful origin of our nation.
+, Express pride in our culture, unity, and the love, mutual assistance, and support among the Vietnamese people.

Question 4: The significance of the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy'?

- The story explains and exalts the noble origin of the Vietnamese people.
- It demonstrates deep pride and self-respect for the nation, awakening love, unity, sharing, caring, and mutual assistance among the Vietnamese people.

II. PRACTICE:

Question 1: Do you know of any stories from other ethnic groups in Vietnam that explain the ethnic origin similar to the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy'? What does the similarity and difference affirm?

- Stories like 'The Sacred Egg' of the Muong people – 'The Mother's Belly' of the Khơ Mú people.

- Stories like 'Kinh and Bana are Siblings'…

⟹ We are all brothers and sisters, despite living in different regions. Therefore, we must love, help, and support each other.

Question 2: Express the emotional storytelling of the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy'?

The narration tone changes according to different circumstances and the storyline.

1. Find details in the story that reflect the strange and noble nature of the origin of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân.
Answer:

Details that depict the strange, grand, and beautiful nature of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân's origin and appearance are:
* Strange, grand, and beautiful origin and appearance:
- Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ are both deities. Long Quân is the dragon deity, residing underwater, the son of the dragon goddess Long Nu. Au Co, a fairy, lives on the high mountains, belonging to the lineage of Thanh Nong.
- Lạc Long Quân has 'invincible strength, with many miracles,' while Âu Cơ is 'exquisitely beautiful.'
* Nation-building endeavors:
Lạc Long Quân 'helped people eliminate Ngư Tinh, Hồ Tinh, Mộc Tinh' – creatures that harmed the people. The deity also 'taught people how to farm, raise animals, and manners of living.'

2. What is peculiar about the union of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, and the story of Au Co giving birth? How did Lac Long Quan and Au Co divide their children, and for what purpose? According to this story, who are the Vietnamese people descendants of?
Answer:

- Au Co and Lac Long Quân met, fell in love, and became husband and wife, living together on land in the Long Trang palace.
- The birth of Au Co is truly peculiar: she gave birth to a hundred eggs; the eggs hatched into a hundred children, radiant and exceptionally beautiful. The offspring did not need nursing but grew on their own, with features as striking as deities.
- Au Co and Lac Long Quân divided their children: Fifty went to the sea with Lac Long Quân, and fifty went to the mountains with Au Co. This division aimed to facilitate mutual support.
- According to this story, the Vietnamese people are descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy.

3. What do you understand by imaginary details? Clearly state the role of these details in the story.
Answer:

- Imaginary details are elements created by folk authors to serve specific purposes, not based on reality.
- In this legend, imaginary details play a role:
+ Emphasizing the extraordinary, grand, and beautiful nature of characters and events.
+ Elevating the spiritual and cultural pride of our nation, instilling a sense of love, respect, and homage to our ancestors and culture.
+ Enhancing the allure of the narrative.

4. Discuss the significance of the story The Dragon and the Fairy.
Answer:

The story holds the following significance:
- Explains and venerates the noble origin of the Vietnamese community.
- Emphasizes a common origin and expresses the desire for unity and cohesion among the people in all regions of the country. The Vietnamese people, whether from the plains or mountains, living inland or abroad, all share the same roots as the descendants of Mother Âu Cơ. Therefore, they must always cherish love and unity.

EXERCISE:

1. Do you know of any stories from other ethnic groups in Vietnam that explain the ethnic origin similar to the story The Dragon and the Fairy? What does this similarity affirm?
Answer:

Some other ethnic groups in Vietnam also have stories explaining ethnic origins similar to the legend The Dragon and the Fairy, such as the Muong story of The Sacred Egg and the Khơ Mú story of The Mother's Belly.
This similarity affirms the closeness in roots and cultural exchange among the various ethnic groups in our country.

2. Express the emotional storytelling of the story The Dragon and the Fairy.
Answer:

Students should retell the story with the following requirements:

- Adhering to the storyline and key details.
- Attempting to use personal language for narration.
- Conveying emotions in the storytelling.

II. QUESTIONS:

Question 1 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

Details that express the strange and noble nature of the origin and appearance of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ:

+ Origin:
- Lạc Long Quân: is the son of the dragon goddess, dragon lineage, invincible health, with many miracles
- Âu Cơ: Thần Nông's lineage, exquisitely beautiful
⇒ Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ belong to the noble fairy dragon lineage.

Question 2 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

The union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ has peculiar points:

- This is a marriage between the son of the dragon goddess underwater and the daughter of the Thần Nông lineage on land
- Âu Cơ gave birth to a hundred eggs, from which a hundred sons hatched, the offspring did not need nursing and grew up on their own, robust and healthy
- Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ divided their children into two branches: fifty went to the sea with their father, and fifty went to the mountains with their mother
- The Vietnamese are descendants of King Hùng, the Dragon's children, and the Fairy's grandchildren.

Question 3 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

- Imaginary details are understood as details that are not real, created by folk authors to convey specific ideas.
- Imaginary details are also called details of fantasy, fantasy, fiction, extraordinary…
- In the Con Rồng cháu Tiên story, imaginary details play a role:

• Emphasizing the strange and noble nature of characters and events
• Spiritualizing and sanctifying the ethnic origin to show respect for our ancestors
• Increasing the allure of the work

Question 4 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

The significance of the story Con Rồng cháu Tiên:

- Explains and venerates the noble, sacred origin of the Vietnamese people.
- Affirms the unity of the Vietnamese people, whether in the mountains, plains, or by the sea, whether inside or outside the country.
- The Vietnamese people are all descendants of King Hùng, so they must be united and love each other.

II. PRACTICE:

Exercise 1 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

Alongside the Con Rồng cháu Tiên story, other ethnic groups also have stories explaining the ethnic origin:
- The Muong people: The Sacred Egg story
- The Khơ Mú people have The Mother's Belly story

Exercise 2 (page 8 literature book grade 6 volume 1):

Read and expressively retell the Con Rồng cháu Tiên story

Question 1. Find details in the story that express the strange and noble nature of the origin and appearance of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ?
Answer:

The legend of The Dragon and the Fairy contains many details depicting the strange, grand, and beautiful nature of the origin and appearance of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ:
- Both belong to the lineage of gods
+ Lạc Long Quân is the son of the dragon goddess (usually underwater)
+ Âu Cơ belongs to the Thần Nông lineage (on the mountain).
- Lạc Long Quân has invincible health, performs miracles, often helps people eliminate monsters, and teaches farming and animal husbandry
- Âu Cơ is exquisitely beautiful.

Question 2. What is peculiar about the union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, and the birth of Âu Cơ? How did Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ divide their children, and for what purpose? According to this story, who are the Vietnamese people descendants of?
Answer:

About the union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ and the birth of Âu Cơ, many strange things happened: A god living underwater married someone from the Thần Nông lineage high in the mountains
- Âu Cơ gave birth to a hundred eggs, hatching a hundred sons, the offspring 'growing fast without needing breastfeeding, as healthy as gods' => details of fantasy and imagination.
- A farewell full of affection, emotion, 50 children followed their mother to the high mountains, 50 followed their father to the sea => the development of the community to expand the nation.
Thus, the Vietnamese are descendants of the Dragon and grandchildren of the Fairy. This origin is highly noble and worthy of pride.

Question 3. What do you understand about the details of imagination and fantasy? Explain the role of these details in the story.
Answer:

- Imaginary details, fantasy, are details that are not real. They have a fantastical and strange nature. These details give characters and historical events a mythical color. They are called legends.
- In the story of The Dragon and the Fairy, these details play a role in emphasizing the strange and beautiful nature of the characters (Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ) and also demonstrate that the Vietnamese people have an extraordinary, noble, and beautiful origin. Thus, the people want to convey the message to future generations to always be proud and respectful of their ancestors. The imaginary and fantasy details in the story both reflect a certain level of understanding at the early stage of history and result from the extraordinary imagination of the Lạc Việt people.

Question 4. Meaning of the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy.'
Answer:

The story of The Dragon and the Fairy, despite being a long-standing legend with elements of imagination and fantasy, fundamentally explains and venerates the origin of our country. At the same time, the story also shows the pride of the ethnic people, the intention of unity, and unity dating back to ancient times in the Vietnamese community: whether in any region, in the plains, or by the mountains, in the South or the North, the Vietnamese people are all descendants of the Hùng kings, sharing the same lineage of 'the Dragon's children and the Fairy's grandchildren.' Therefore, they must love and support each other.

PRACTICE:

Question 1. Do you know stories from other ethnic groups in Vietnam that also explain the ethnic origin similar to the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy'? What does this similarity affirm?
Answer:

- Similar stories:
One can use the story of The Mother's Belly from the Khơ Mú people to show that it also explains the ethnic origin of Vietnam similarly to The Dragon and the Fairy.
… 'The mother gave birth to a belly, then from the belly emerged sons, the firstborn was dark because it got stuck in soot (from burning the belly), so it's the Khơ Mú, the youngest had fair skin and was Kinh, due to the order of birth like that, the living area of Vietnam goes from mountains, down to the midlands and plains'
- The similarity (same parents, born in the same womb) affirms a close blood relationship within a Vietnamese family. This explains the strong unity of the Vietnamese people in facing natural disasters, enemies, and building a increasingly prosperous country.

Question 2. Narrate expressively the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy.'
Answer:

To retell this legendary story, you need to consider the following to express emotions effectively:
- Understand the sequence of events in the work.
- From 'Once upon a time' to 'emerged' tell in a low voice.
- From 'At that time' to 'Long Trang Palace' tell in a flashback tone, pause longer when ending the previous paragraph and when telling 'Then...' transition to a higher pitch.
- Pay attention to the nature of the dialogue (the 'sighing' tone of Âu Cơ, the 'declarative' tone of Lạc Long Quân). The ending part tells slowly and emphasizes the tone, expressing pride.

Question 1 on page 12 - Literature Textbook Grade 8 Volume 1: Find details in the story that express the strange and noble nature of the origin and appearance of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ.

- Regarding the origin:

+ Lạc Long Quân: is the son of the dragon goddess, belonging to the dragon lineage, usually underwater, occasionally living on land.

+ Âu Cơ: belongs to the Thần Nông lineage in the high mountain region.

- About appearance:

+ Lạc Long Quân: invincible health, possesses many miracles.

+ Âu Cơ: exquisitely beautiful.

Question 2 on page 12 - Literature Textbook Grade 8 Volume 1: What is peculiar about the union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, and the birth of Âu Cơ? How did Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ divide their children, and for what purpose? According to this story, who are the Vietnamese people descendants of?

- The union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ and the birth of Âu Cơ have strange points:

+ Firstly, this is the union between the son of the dragon goddess underwater and the daughter of the Thần Nông lineage in the high mountains. They become a couple living together on land.

+ The strange thing about Âu Cơ giving birth is: She gave birth to a hundred eggs; the eggs hatched into a hundred rosy, exceptionally beautiful children. The offspring grew up without needing breastfeeding, with faces and noses as clear as jade, as healthy as gods.

- Dividing the children: Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ divided their children into two branches: fifty children followed the father to the sea, fifty followed the mother to the mountains. This division aims to share the responsibility of managing different regions and to help each other when needed.

- According to this story: the Vietnamese people are descendants of the Hùng kings, with a dragon and fairy lineage. This origin is highly noble and something to be proud of.

Question 3 on page 12 - Literature Textbook Grade 8 Volume 1: What do you understand about the details of imagination and fantasy? Explain the role of these details in the story.

- Details of imagination and fantasy: understood as details that are not real, created by folklore authors for a specific purpose.

- The role of these details in the story: aims to create interest, highlight the strange and noble nature of the characters, and extend to the dragon and fairy lineage of the Vietnamese people.

Question 4 on page 12 - Literature Textbook Grade 8 Volume 1: Class discussion: The meaning of the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy.' Read the additional section to fully understand that meaning.

- Explain and venerate the sacred and noble origin of the Vietnamese people.

- Express the meaning of unity and solidarity of our people in every region of the country.

II. Practice:

Question 1. Do you know stories from other ethnic groups in Vietnam that also explain the ethnic origin similar to the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy'? What does this similarity affirm?

- Alongside the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy,' some other ethnic groups in Vietnam also have stories explaining the ethnic origin such as:

+ The Mường people have the story: The giant egg giving birth to humans

+ The Khơ Mú people have the story: The mother's belly

...

- This similarity shows the commonality in explaining the roots and the cultural exchange among the ethnic groups in our country.

Question 2. Expressively narrate the story 'The Dragon and the Fairy.'

Students narrate it themselves, keeping in mind the changing tone based on different story arcs

Question 1 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

The origin and appearance of Lạc Long Quân:
+ Origin: is a deity belonging to the dragon lineage, son of the dragon goddess, living underwater.
+ Appearance: dragon body, invincible health.
- The origin and appearance of Âu Cơ:
+ Origin: belongs to the Thần Nông lineage, living in the high northern mountains.
+ Appearance: exceptionally beautiful.

Question 2 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

* The union of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ and the story of Âu Cơ giving birth have some strange things as follows:

- The two originally belonged to different lineages. Lạc Long Quân was a deity underwater, Âu Cơ was a deity living on high mountains.
- Moreover, Âu Cơ gave birth to a hundred eggs, and from these eggs hatched a hundred rosy children. The offspring grew rapidly without needing any care, all of them were handsome and beautiful.
* Due to their different living habits, Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ eventually decided to divide their children. Fifty children would follow the father to the sea, and fifty would follow the mother to the mountains. This decision would make it easier to manage different regions.
* In this way, according to this story, the Vietnamese are descendants of the Dragon and Fairy. This origin is extremely noble and something to be proud of.

Question 3 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

- In my opinion, details of imagination and fantasy are non-realistic details, created by human imagination to form a myth. This is one of the most characteristic elements of folklore.
- These details of imagination and fantasy contribute to building the character images in the story, making them much more beautiful. Furthermore, these details in the story both reflect a certain level of understanding in the early stages of history and are the result of the extraordinary imagination of ancient people.

Question 4 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

- The story 'The Dragon and the Fairy' aims to explain and venerate the common origin and express the desire for unity and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. Regardless of where they are, in the delta or in the mountains, in the South or in the North, the Vietnamese people share the lineage of 'The Dragon and the Fairy,' so they must love and support each other.

Practice:

Question 1 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

Do you know the story 'The Mother's Belly' of the Khơ – mú ethnic group:

'Once upon a time, there were two orphaned siblings, a boy and a girl who caught a wild boar. The boar begged for mercy and repaid their kindness by guiding them away from a calamity. After escaping the flood, with no one else around, the siblings divided the boar: one took the lid, and the other took the betel tray to make a living. They searched for spouses but couldn't find any. Meeting each other again, they split once more, but still failed to achieve their wish. Seeing this, a strange bird advised them to marry each other. Not long after, the wife became pregnant, and after 7 years, 7 months, 7 days, she gave birth to a belly.
When the husband pierced the belly:
- The elder sibling emerged first, darkened by coal dust (from burning the belly), becoming the origin of the Khơ – mú people.
- The younger sibling emerged last, with fair and tender skin, becoming the origin of the Kinh people.
The Khơ – mú live in high mountains with abundant forests, rivers, and streams for farming and living. The Kinh (the younger) had to travel far down to the fertile plains, expanding their settlement area.'
- This similarity further affirms that the Vietnamese people share a common origin. Therefore, we must love and help each other to build a prosperous nation.

Question 2 (page 8 Literature Grade 6 Volume 1):

- Outline:
+ Introduce the origin, appearance of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ.
+ Narrate the encounter between Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ.
+ The miraculous birth of Âu Cơ.
+ The decision to divide children by Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ.
+ The origin of the Vietnamese people.
- Note: Use expressive language like: seemingly, who knows when, countless, truly strange, ...