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Compose a letter about your hero, your grandfather
Sample UPU letter writing for the 48th edition in 2019, Write a letter about your grandfather, your hero
In Hanoi, 2018.
Dear friends!
Surely, each of us has someone we consider a hero, a standard figure for us to aspire to. Your hero may be a character with supernatural powers, a historical figure of intellect and courage, or perhaps a quiet aunt, teacher, or ferryman silently guiding us to the shores of knowledge. As for me, my hero is my grandfather.
My grandfather is now over seventy years old, his hair and beard white as snow, yet fortunate enough to retain clarity despite his aging eyesight. I often visit him every weekend to listen to his stories, share thoughts, and plant flowers together in the small garden in front of his house. His hobby is collecting bonsai, so he grows many types of flowers like orchids, roses, lilies, and various fruit trees around his home. Once he told me that flowers bring beauty to people, and those who love flowers are those who love beauty. He enjoys gardening because he loves the colorful beauty that they bring.
Before, my father was a soldier, a brave warrior who volunteered to go to the battlefield in the South during the resistance war against America to contribute his effort to the nation's common fight, bringing peace and happiness to the people. According to his stories, those were years of hardship but also the most glorious years in history. The war was extremely fierce, with days of continuous American bombings causing our people to suffer unimaginable pain. Soldiers were only granted one or two days of leave before bidding farewell to their families, wives, and children to return to the battlefield. Young men had to leave their hometowns, leave behind budding romances to march and fight for the beloved South. Ten years in the anti-American resistance war were also ten years my father experienced all emotions, endured all the hardships of war. During those ten years, the family lost faith, hope in his return.
When our people's struggle achieved victory, the country was completely reunified, my father returned to his homeland amidst the tears of joy of everyone. What I admire about him is not only his courage, his indomitable fighting spirit for the homeland but also the profound love between him and my mother. Before becoming a soldier, my father was a young man while my mother was a simple, gentle village girl. In an era where life and death were separated by a hair's breadth, the two dared not promise to wait for each other. Yet ten years passed, my mother's youth was compensated in the moment she saw my father return safely. Though the promised wait was unspoken, both understood. Until now, as the dust of time gradually obscures everything, my parents still love each other as they did at the beginning. My father always cares for my mother, saying that even if he dedicated his entire life, he could not compensate for all the suffering, sadness she endured during those years of separation.
The sacrifices my father made for the family were immense. Despite his age, he still helped my parents with tasks within his capability to ease their burden. After the war ended, he was sent by his superiors to study and became a teacher. Alongside his lessons were stories of war, stories of humanity, so that students could cherish their lives more. Although he has retired, on Vietnamese Teachers' Day every year, many former students come to visit and bring flowers to congratulate the teacher who guided and bonded with them. Some became doctors, others became teachers, journalists. But no matter the profession, he always advised his students to have integrity; only then can they succeed in their careers. Perhaps that's why former students always respect and regard him as their father.
In his free time, my father often tells me stories to educate us about the country's history, about those silent sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy today. He teaches me how to behave in daily life, teaches me math problems I couldn't solve. Being strict, when family members make mistakes or behave improperly, he straightforwardly gives advice. I remember the days of childhood when he made many toys for me. He taught me how to fold paper cranes, paper boats, sailboats. He even made lanterns for me every Mid-Autumn Festival so I could join the procession with my friends. No one in society criticizes him for anything because he is a responsible person, an exemplary Party member, a model father, and grandfather. He is also enthusiastic about helping those around him when they encounter difficulties, leaving them deeply grateful and appreciative.
On my birthday, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a gift from my grandfather. It was a green bicycle, my favorite color. He reminded me to study hard, to be diligent so that I could be worthy of being Uncle Ho's good grandchild. At the same time, he also reminded my parents that no matter how busy they were, they should always spend time caring for their children. Children really need the listening ear of their parents, and I am no exception.
I always receive encouragement from my grandfather. Every time I achieve good grades, he often rewards me with meaningful gifts. It could be a new school bag, some notebooks, or a pen to prepare for a new school year. As the head of the family, he always advises every member on how to live, communicate, and behave in the most proper manner so that no one can criticize. He loves his grandchildren wholeheartedly but also does not spoil them, allowing them to be too indulgent or demanding.
To me, my grandfather is a hero. I admire him for his way of life, his treatment of others, and his noble sacrifices for the family. I hope that he will always be healthy to be by our side and share moments filled with love.
Goodbye and see you again, everyone!
Nguyen Thanh Huong
The content of the 48th UPU Letter Writing Competition has helped students understand how to write a letter about their hero, their grandfather, who has always taken care of them and shared beautiful memories since childhood. In addition, students can explore other topics and exam details of this competition such as Writing a letter about their hero, their father or specifics of Writing a letter about their hero, their teacher to gain more knowledge and prepare well for the 48th UPU Letter Writing Competition.
