The 8 Best Essays Analyzing the Characters Men and Mon in 'The Stilt Birds' (Literature 7 - KNTT with CS Textbook)

Author Nguyễn Quang Thiều has successfully developed the characters Mon and Men in the short story "The Stilt Birds". Mon and Men are portrayed as innocent and pure, reflecting the kind-heartedness of children and their love for animals and respect for life.

Mon, although young, possesses a deeply compassionate heart towards animals. This affection is clearly reflected in his actions and words. For instance, when he sees his father catch a goby fish, Mon secretly releases it back into the water. Although he is afraid of his father, he shows no hesitation in 'rescuing' the fish. His love for animals is most evident when it comes to the stilt birds nesting on the sandbank in the river. Amidst a stormy night, Mon wakes up unable to sleep, worried about the baby birds. His thoughts revolve around the birds, concerned that they might get soaked or drowned. Though his thoughts are easily distracted, he keeps returning to worry about the birds. Mon even urges his brother Men to join him on a dangerous journey to the riverbank in the middle of the night, to 'bring them to shore'. Mon's determination deeply impresses me, as hidden beneath his small frame is a brave spirit and a large heart.

Furthermore, Mon is a loving and trusting younger brother. Throughout the story, most of his dialogues start with "Brother" or "Brother Men". He always addresses his older brother with deep affection and closeness. In difficult situations, Mon places complete trust in his brother, hoping for his presence and companionship. This deep sibling bond makes me incredibly moved by the affectionate relationship Mon has with Men.

Men is first introduced through a small detail in his conversation with Mon. In response to Mon's questions, Men grows frustrated because it is late, and his younger brother is asking too many questions. However, when Mon mentions that the baby birds might not survive, Men becomes concerned about their fate. Eventually, despite his tiredness and the stormy weather, he agrees to join Mon on the journey to the riverbank.

This moment shows that while Men may appear tough on the outside, he is a compassionate person with a deep love for his brother and for animals. In the dark, stormy night, Men courageously heads outside to save the baby birds. When the dawn breaks, and the birds take flight, Men, initially grumpy, reveals a surprisingly gentle side, as his eyes glisten with joy watching the birds soar. Through these small actions and emotions, the author successfully portrays Men as a seemingly gruff but loving character who listens, cares for others, and appreciates life. The story's simplicity and heartfelt language bring out the beauty of a pure and kind-hearted childhood, celebrating the small yet significant acts of goodness in humans.

Nguyễn Quang Thiều is a renowned author known for many significant works, including the short story "The Stilt Birds". In this story, the characters Mon and Men are depicted as boys who have a deep love for animals.

Men is first introduced through a brief conversation with his younger brother Mon. Men, initially irritated by the late hour and Mon's many questions, softens when he hears that the baby birds may not survive. Despite his fatigue and the stormy weather, he agrees to accompany Mon to the riverbank to help the birds. This moment reveals that Men, though outwardly tough, is actually a kind-hearted person who cares deeply for his brother and for animals. In the darkness of the storm, Men bravely heads outside to rescue the birds. When morning comes and the birds take flight, the once grumpy Men reveals a surprising tenderness, his eyes filled with wonder as he watches the birds soar. This moment surprises the reader, showing how Men is rich in compassion.

Another standout character is Mon, Men’s younger brother. Despite his young age, Mon is sensitive and thoughtful, especially towards the baby stilt birds during the early morning storm. He anxiously asks his brother: "Is the rain heavy?", "Has the river risen?", and "Is the sandbank submerged, are the birds still there?". His concern for the birds shows a maturity beyond his years. Unable to sleep due to his worry, Mon convinces Men to take the birds to safety, disregarding the time and weather. Mon’s decisive action, despite his young age, is truly remarkable. The birds’ flight in the morning serves as a testament to Mon’s pure heart. In such circumstances, how many would have made such a determined decision? Through these details, the author highlights the image of a young boy whose actions embody the message of the story.

The two boys in "The Stilt Birds" represent the love and care for all living creatures that is deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture. Men and Mon’s bond showcases human compassion and the values the author seeks to convey. The image of the two brothers watching the small birds take flight, moved to tears, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on readers.

The short story "The Stilt Birds" is one of the standout works by the renowned author Nguyễn Quang Thiều. The characters Mon and Men in the story are highlighted for their deep compassion for all living things and their reverence for life.

The story revolves around the two characters, Mon and Men. Around 2 a.m., Mon wakes up and calls out to Men, worried about the stilt birds' nest by the riverbank. The heavy rain had caused the birds' nest to be gradually submerged. After a conversation, the two brothers decide to go and bring the birds to safety. The rising water had been encroaching rapidly since the previous afternoon. As the water rose, the father and mother birds led their chicks to higher ground. By morning, the birds had escaped the floodwaters and took to the sky, soaring higher than before. Witnessing this, Mon and Men felt a sense of joy and happiness.

Throughout the rainy night, Mon couldn’t sleep, troubled by worry for the stilt birds. He repeatedly asked Men, "Do you think the rain is heavy?", "Do you think the river is rising?", "Has the sandbar in the middle of the river flooded?", and "Do you think they can swim?". Despite Men’s irritated responses, Mon patiently continued asking about the situation outside. Mon then asked, "Have you ever seen the stilt birds fly from the sandbar to the shore?" and "What should we do now?". Unbothered by the weather, Mon’s empathy for the birds was so strong that he convinced Men to go with him to move the birds to safety. Through Mon’s words and questions, we see the deep love and concern he has for the stilt birds.

Mon didn’t just stop at thinking about rescuing the birds, he decided to go with Men to check if the sandbar had been completely flooded. In the dim twilight, the two brothers kept their eyes fixed on the river. Their excitement was evident when Mon suddenly exclaimed, "Look, there's the sandbar!". When they saw the birds take off from the water and fly upwards, Mon was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t speak. In that moment, perhaps Mon was both in awe of nature’s beauty and overjoyed to see the birds survive. After everything that had happened, Mon’s heart raced with emotion. He cried without realizing it because, "Finally, the baby birds had completed their first and most significant flight in their lives." These were tears of happiness, flowing from a sensitive heart full of love.

Using pure language, vivid imagery, and a character-building approach through dialogue and action, the author successfully portrays Mon as a character with a deep love for animals and a profound respect for life.

"The Stilt Birds" is a deeply meaningful short story that resonates with readers of all ages, especially young adults. When the author Nguyễn Quang Thiều published this story, he offered a poignant message: "I hope that the boys and girls – the future citizens of our world – will possess compassionate hearts to protect the world we adults are destroying." This is precisely what the two main characters, Mon and Men, exemplify in the story. The two boys convey a sense of familiarity, tenderness, bravery, and innocence that touches the reader.

The short story "The Stilt Birds" tells the tale of two boys, Mon and Men, and their thoughts and actions to protect the stilt bird nest during a stormy night. The story, narrated in the third person, is engaging and compelling, with the author’s unique use of dialogue bringing the characters to life. Mon and Men are depicted as both adorable and compassionate.

The story begins with a late-night scene where the two boys are restless. Although Mon is the younger brother, he is the one who begins the questions, expressing his deep concern for the stilt bird nest. Mon repeatedly asks Men: "Hey, what if the sandbar has flooded?"; "Do you think the birds can swim?"; "Why didn’t they build their nest on the shore?"; "What should we do now?" These repetitive questions reflect Mon’s childlike innocence, yet also his deep worry for the birds on the sandbar in the river. He even wonders why the stilt birds would build their nest there in the first place, questioning why they didn’t choose a safer, higher, and drier spot for shelter from the storm.

After tossing and turning, unable to sleep, Mon whispers to his brother and decides: "We have to bring them to shore, let’s go." This decision shows Mon’s strength and determination. He is a boy of conviction, unwilling to abandon the birds in the rising water. His decision to save the birds comes from his own resolve, not from Men, demonstrating his courage, compassion, and determination.

In contrast to Mon's direct concern, Men is more subtle in his worry. Though slightly gruff, Men’s care for his brother is expressed through actions, not words. When Mon is restless during the night, Men, though also awake, responds curtly: "What’s wrong? Are you not sleeping?"; "What’s with all the questions?"; "I don’t know." Yet, Men also shows his own concern with phrases like "Hmm, I’m worried too." To ease the tension, the two boys think back to a story about fishing with their father and laugh. However, when Mon mentions the nest might be submerged, Men silently reflects for a moment, then asks: "So, what should we do now?" After Mon makes the decision to go rescue the birds, Men asks, "Shall we go now?" This question is not hesitation, but rather a way for Men to confirm his support, showing that he will stand by his brother’s decision. Through this, Men is portrayed as a tough but warm-hearted older brother, whose concern for Mon is demonstrated through his actions, not his words.

After a long night, the two brothers struggle to maneuver their boat to the riverbank, eventually returning it to its original position as dawn breaks. The beautiful scene of sunrise emerges, bringing with it a mix of emotions. The boys run up the bank to the sandbar, where Mon anxiously wonders if the sandbar has been submerged. Meanwhile, Men sits by the river, scanning the water. Fortunately, the sandbar is still above the waterline. As the morning light begins to illuminate the raindrops on the river’s surface, the water gradually rises and swallows the sandbar. In the final moments, the baby stilt birds take flight, creating a "legendary" scene in the eyes of the two boys. This is the perfect moment when the baby birds are strong enough to recognize the danger of the rising water and take flight. It’s also the moment when Mon and Men experience overwhelming happiness and achievement. The boys stand frozen, their faces pale from the rain but glowing with warmth from the sunlight, filled with joy. They turn to each other, tears streaming down their faces, overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment.

Both Mon and Men are brave, compassionate boys, full of innocence and charm. The image of the stilt birds flying off the sandbar deeply touches the boys’ hearts, bringing relief and joy, erasing their worries and anxieties.

Through Mon and Men, we see qualities that every young person should possess: kindness, courage, and love for all creatures. As a young person, let us nurture and develop these beautiful qualities within ourselves, so that we can become, as the author hopes, the future citizens of the world, with hearts full of compassion to protect even the smallest things on earth.

"The Whiskered Birds" is an incredibly touching short story, revealing the deep love and compassion of two children for the creatures around them. The siblings, Mon and Men, are concerned about the fate of the small whiskered birds nesting on the sandbars in the river. They feel joy and relief when they see the baby birds flying to safety. After reading this work by the author Nguyễn Quang Thiều, one can appreciate the purity in the hearts of these two children, qualities that any young person can identify with and learn from.

The story begins with a conversation and thoughts of the siblings Mon and Men about a bird's nest which might be flooded by the river. With their kind hearts, they decide to go to the river in the rainy night. When they witness the baby birds flying from the sandbar at dawn, their hearts fill with indescribable happiness and emotion.

The third-person narrative is captivating and delightful, using vivid dialogues that help to develop the characters. The language used is warm and relatable, making the characters’ conversations come to life in a very natural and realistic way. This style of writing allows readers to feel a deep connection with the characters Mon and Men, drawing them into the story with authenticity and charm.

During the rainy night, both Mon and Men struggle to sleep, consumed by worries about the rising water levels and the potential danger to the baby birds. Mon, in particular, repeatedly asks his older brother Men about the rising water, the flood, and the birds' safety. Although Men gives brief and irritable responses, it’s clear he too is worried. His way of showing concern differs from Mon's, but his silent worry speaks volumes. Mon, determined and strong-willed, feels compelled to save the birds, while Men, though distant, shows his own deep care through his actions and thoughts, even if they aren't voiced.

The story beautifully illustrates their bond. Mon, driven by a sense of responsibility, can’t bear the thought of the birds perishing, so he convinces Men to act. Their determination takes them on a journey to the riverbank in the middle of the night. Despite their weariness, their concern for the birds never fades. Upon reaching the river at dawn, they witness the extraordinary sight of the baby birds taking their first flight. The scene is magical, a moment of pure emotion that stays with them forever.

The beauty of this simple yet profound story reminds us of the power of innocence, kindness, and the courage of youth. Mon and Men’s actions highlight the importance of love and care for all living creatures, something we, even as adults, can learn from and strive to embody.

Writer Nguyễn Quang Thiều is widely recognized as a versatile and prolific author, frequently appearing in literary circles and on the press. In addition to poetry, essays, and translation, he has written several works for children, including the short story 'The Fledgling Birds' which I have read and explored. Through this work, I was deeply impressed by the two characters Mon and Mên, whose words and actions reveal many interesting and meaningful aspects.

'The Fledgling Birds' tells the story of two siblings, Mên and Mon, during a night of heavy rain and floods. They worry that the baby birds on a sandbar in the river will be drowned by the rising waters. Determined to help, they decide to row a boat to the river in the middle of the night to rescue the birds and bring them safely to the shore. Upon arrival, they witness the small, wet birds suddenly take flight from the floodwaters, creating an indescribable and emotional moment for both of them.

While reading the short story, one can easily see that despite his young age, Mon possesses thoughts and concerns that stem from a kind-hearted, observant, and intelligent boy. Unable to sleep, Mon constantly worries about the fate of the baby birds, asking his brother repeatedly about the rising water and whether the sandbar is flooded. Even though Mon sometimes thinks of other happy stories, his thoughts always return to the baby birds. 'The baby birds might drown.'

With these concerns in mind, Mon gradually grows more determined and proposes to Mên, 'How about we bring them to the shore?' His suggestion turns into a firm declaration: 'We have to bring them to the shore, brother.' Mon is a strong-willed boy who cannot abandon the bird’s nest in the rising waters of the night. His decision to save the baby birds comes from his own resolve, showing his bravery, kindness, and determination.

On the other hand, Mên, the older brother, appears quite calm, somewhat gruff, and short-tempered, yet beneath this exterior lies a thoughtful, warm-hearted boy with deep compassion. Although he doesn’t ask as many questions as Mon, Mên responds to Mon’s worries with a composed attitude. It becomes apparent that Mên is also unable to sleep, likely because of his own concern for the baby birds. Though Mên tries to sleep, when Mon repeats, 'The birds’ nest will drown,' Mên quietly asks, 'What should we do now?' This question isn’t one of hesitation but rather an affirmation, encouraging Mon to feel more certain about their decision to go together.

After struggling through the night on the boat, Mon and Mên finally reach the sandbar where the birds nest, just as dawn begins to break. The two children rush to the riverbank, with Mon curious to see whether the sandbar is submerged, while Mên crouches down, peering intently at the water. When the daylight is bright enough to reveal that the sandbar hasn’t been flooded, the siblings cheer with joy. At that moment, the baby birds start flapping their wings and soaring into the sky, their wings drenched in water but rising like a legend before the eyes of the two children. Mon and Mên stand silently, their faces pale from the rain, but their hearts filled with warmth and happiness. Mên quietly looks at his younger brother, and they realize they’ve been crying, unable to explain why. Perhaps it’s tears of happiness, of hope for their efforts to be rewarded, or simply tears of emotion for the little birds. These tears represent the innocence, purity, and the loveable nature of Mon and Mên.

Both Mon and Mên are courageous, kind-hearted boys who are also wonderfully innocent and endearing. The scene of the fledgling birds taking flight from the sandbar deeply affects their emotions, providing a beautiful, magical moment that releases all their anxieties and worries. This is what makes the story so remarkable and beautiful.