Top 10 Thoughtful Reflections on the Story 'The Grateful Tiger' by Vu Trinh

In Vietnamese literature, much like in many other countries, alongside the orally transmitted folklore, there are written works created by talented intellectuals. In Vietnam, written literature emerged early during the medieval period, spanning from the 10th century to the late 19th century. As such, in addition to notable folk prose works like myths, fairy tales, fables, and jokes, we are also able to enjoy a number of impressive medieval stories.

Vietnamese medieval stories were often written in classical Chinese, featuring rich content and typically carrying a moral lesson. The writing style was concise and simpler than modern narratives. However, each story had a plot, a narrator’s voice, characters, and dialogues that made it quite engaging. One such example is 'The Grateful Tiger,' written by Vu Trinh in the Lan Tri Kien Van Luc collection and translated by Hoang Hung.

What makes this story interesting is that the author doesn’t tell a human tale but rather a story about two tigers, two forest kings. The writer employs personification, blending realism with a touch of romance and exaggeration. The story is about tigers, but it speaks of human qualities. Specifically, the story portrays ferocious creatures that are not vicious but instead gentle and possess admirable human traits.

The story is set around a forest king in Dong Trieu. This tiger, appearing at the beginning of the story, astonishes the reader with its fierce arrival, akin to the fear felt by a midwife when a tiger suddenly rushes towards her. We might think the tiger intends to devour her, but it turns out to be the tiger ‘husband’ retrieving a doctor to help his ‘wife’ give birth. This tiger shows great affection and kindness, demonstrating empathy and compassion.

As the tiger watches the midwife assist in the delivery, it sheds tears, feeling sympathy for the suffering of its 'wife.' After the cub is born, the father tiger shows joy, playing with its young one like a happy human father. The author’s subtle narration brings to life a beast with human-like characteristics.

The most human-like moment occurs when the tiger, feeling grateful to the midwife, kneels by a tree, digs up a silver coin, and gifts it to her. The tiger also bows and waves its tail to bid her farewell. Thanks to the silver coin, the midwife survives a year of famine. Throughout the story, the tiger never speaks a word, as it is a tiger, but its actions and expressions reveal its human-like qualities in how it interacts with the midwife, demonstrating affection and gratitude.

Then, the story shifts to another tiger, the white-fronted tiger of Lang Giang. The beginning of this story contrasts with the previous one. Instead of a tiger carrying a human, it’s a human who encounters a tiger. A woodcutter in Lang Giang sees a white-fronted tiger struggling with a bone stuck in its throat, bleeding and choking. The sight is terrifying, and if he were timid, he would likely flee. But instead, he climbs a tree and says, ‘Your throat hurts, don’t bite me, I’ll help you.’ In a remarkable act of kindness, the woodcutter saves the tiger, removing the bone.

In return, the tiger brings meat to the woodcutter’s house, showing gratitude. When the woodcutter dies, the tiger rubs its head against the coffin, growls, and runs around the coffin, as if mourning the loss of a loved one. Every year, on the anniversary of the woodcutter’s death, the tiger leaves a goat or pig at his door as an offering to honor his memory. The tiger’s behavior reflects human-like qualities of remembrance and gratitude.

Comparing the two tigers’ expressions of ‘gratitude,’ we see that while both tigers share the same theme of thankfulness, they are not identical. The tiger from Dong Trieu repays the favor once, while the white-fronted tiger from Lang Giang continues to show gratitude even after the woodcutter’s death. The narrative of ‘gratitude’ is vast, and the story becomes more compelling as it progresses.

In conclusion, 'The Grateful Tiger' is a fictional story that uses the familiar artistic technique of anthropomorphizing animals to emphasize the importance of gratitude in human conduct. If we reflect further, we can see a subtle message from the author, Vu Trinh. Rather than writing about humans repaying favors, he tells a story about tigers showing gratitude to humans. In reality, some animals exhibit strong bonds with humans. Phan Boi Chau, a revolutionary intellectual of the early 20th century, wrote a famous line praising a loyal dog for its bravery and devotion. Returning to ‘The Grateful Tiger,’ we can infer the hidden message: if even a fierce animal can show such deep gratitude, then surely humans can do the same. The story calls us to reflect on our own actions, stirring our minds and hearts.

The story "The Grateful Tiger" recounts an encounter between midwife Tran and a woodcutter with a tiger, who later shows its gratitude by repaying them. The tale highlights the importance of loyalty and reciprocating kindness in life. It is composed of two parts, both simple yet fascinating and touching.

The first part features the dramatic moment when midwife Tran encounters the tiger. It is late at night when she hears a knock on the door. As she opens it, a tiger lunges at her, carrying her away. How could she possibly survive being captured by a tiger? Initially, she is terrified. The tiger holds her with one paw and runs swiftly, using its other paw to clear the way through dense bushes and thorny obstacles as it heads deeper into the forest. Perhaps the tiger had caught its prey and was rushing to its den? Yet, its careful manner in carrying her suggests a gentleness, almost as if it was being considerate. A suspenseful and thrilling moment.

The second scene is equally intense. Tran sees the tigress rolling on the ground, clawing at the earth, and she freezes in fear, terrified that the tiger intends to eat her. However, the tiger male communicates through gestures. He sheds tears, deeply moved by the plight of the tigress. He gently holds Tran’s hand and looks at the tigress as if pleading for help. The human and the tiger share a mutual understanding, recognizing each other’s situation and compassion. Tran, a skilled midwife, notices the tigress’s swollen belly and immediately realizes that she is about to give birth. With great care, she prepares a medicinal brew and massages the tigress’s abdomen. Her actions are filled with love and compassion. How many people would dare to touch a tiger’s belly? To Tran, the tigress was a mother in labor, in need of help to ensure both mother and cub’s survival.

The third part depicts the tigress giving birth, and the tiger male bidding farewell to the midwife. The tiger male shows deep affection and gratitude. It plays joyfully with its cub, then kneels at a tree and digs up a piece of silver to present to the midwife. Afterward, it rises and signals her to leave. As the midwife says, “May the lord of the forest protect you,” the tiger male lowers its head, waves its tail, and roars as a final farewell. This farewell is full of emotional depth and a profound sense of gratitude.

This story is truly captivating and moving. The midwife helps the tigress deliver safely, and in return, the tiger rewards her with silver. Thanks to this gift, the midwife survives a year of famine. The story, though about animals, conveys a deeply human lesson about the power of gratitude and kindness, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

The tiger is often seen as a fierce and dangerous creature, capable of devouring humans at any moment. However, in the story 'The Grateful Tiger,' the author portrays the tiger as having human-like qualities, such as gratitude and kindness.

The first part of the story tells of an encounter between a tiger and Mrs. Tran, a midwife from Dong Trieu District. The male tiger expresses his gratitude by offering ten ounces of silver, which helped Mrs. Tran survive a harsh year of famine. The tiger's generosity and sense of loyalty are truly remarkable. Despite being a wild animal, it shows profound human-like characteristics, such as caring for its mate during childbirth, celebrating the birth of its cubs, and honoring the person who helped its family.

The second part recounts an event between a tiger with a white forehead and a woodcutter in Lang Giang District. The tiger, suffering from a bone stuck in its throat, was in excruciating pain. The kind woodcutter assisted the tiger, removing the bone and relieving its agony. In gratitude, the tiger regularly brought gifts of goats or wild pigs to the woodcutter’s house each year on the anniversary of his death, a moving gesture of thankfulness.

These two tigers embody a profound sense of gratitude, something humans should also aspire to. When Mrs. Tran helped the tiger’s family, the male tiger immediately responded by presenting a large sum of silver. Such unhesitating generosity and deep appreciation from an animal towards a human being is truly extraordinary. The tiger’s respectful farewell, as it bowed and waved its tail before leaving, is a sincere expression of thanks.

The white-foreheaded tiger, after being saved, showed its gratitude by bringing a deer as a gift to the woodcutter’s family. The most touching moment occurs ten years later when the tiger visits the woodcutter’s grave to mourn his passing. The tiger’s roar and respectful actions towards the grave demonstrate its undying respect for its benefactor.

The author uses these two remarkable animal characters to emphasize the value of gratitude and loyalty. Through these stories, we are reminded that living with sincerity and kindness is crucial, not just among humans but also towards animals. The story encourages us to live with integrity and to express gratitude for those who help us in times of need.

The short story 'The Grateful Tiger' is a touching tale about the importance of gratitude and the repayment of kindness in human life. It shows that whether human or animal, one should never forget those who have helped them. The story revolves around a midwife named Mrs. Tran and a woodcutter who encounter a tiger and are shown gratitude by the tiger in return. The narrative emphasizes the deep value of loyalty and reciprocity in life. It is divided into two parts, both simple yet intriguing and meaningful.

One part of the story describes the dramatic encounter between Mrs. Tran and the tiger. One night, as she hears a knock on the door, she opens it to find a tiger that swiftly picks her up and carries her away. Initially terrified, Mrs. Tran wonders how she could possibly survive. The tiger, with one paw gently holding her, dashes through the forest, carefully avoiding obstacles. The tiger's delicate manner suggests a sense of care rather than aggression. This suspenseful and thrilling moment leaves a strong impression.

The second part of the story is just as intense. Mrs. Tran sees the female tiger writhing on the ground, and she becomes paralyzed with fear, thinking the tiger intends to eat her. However, the male tiger shows deep sympathy, shedding tears and signaling for help. The bond between the tiger and Mrs. Tran grows as they understand each other's plight. Mrs. Tran, with her skill and kindness, quickly diagnoses that the female tiger is in labor. She assists by preparing herbal medicine and gently rubbing the tiger's belly to ease her pain. Few people would dare to do such a thing, yet Mrs. Tran treats the tiger as if she were a mother in need of help.

The final scene portrays the female tiger giving birth and the male tiger bidding farewell to Mrs. Tran. The male tiger, filled with affection, plays with its cubs and then, in a touching gesture, digs up a silver coin from the ground to offer to Mrs. Tran as a token of gratitude. It then bows and signals her departure with a roar, a poignant and heartfelt farewell that speaks of deep, meaningful ties.

This is a moving and exciting story that highlights the importance of showing gratitude. Mrs. Tran helped the female tiger give birth safely, and in return, the tiger gifted her with a silver coin, which helped her survive a year of famine. The story teaches a profound lesson about gratitude, kindness, and mutual support.

The story 'The Grateful Tiger' consists of two separate, independent short tales, which together can be considered a double story. These two stories share a common theme: a tiger showing gratitude. In both tales, the tiger expresses its thankfulness for the help it received from humans. The theme of 'gratitude' is central to the story, as the tiger demonstrates affection and indebtedness.

The plot structure of both tales is quite similar. Initially, a tiger is in distress: one is a female tiger struggling during childbirth, and the other is a tiger with a bone stuck in its throat. In both cases, a human intervenes to help. The midwife Mrs. Tran assists the female tiger during labor, while the woodcutter helps the male tiger by removing the bone from its throat. In return, both tigers show their gratitude in different ways. The female tiger gives Mrs. Tran a silver coin, while the male tiger offers a deer as a gift and even attends the woodcutter’s funeral and remembers his death anniversary.

The tiger, known as a fierce predator, symbolizes strength and danger. Yet, this story reveals that even such a fearsome creature can display compassion and gratitude, a lesson for those who are ungrateful. The narrative calls attention to the human-like qualities in animals, showing that even the fiercest of creatures can possess human traits like kindness and gratitude. This moral lesson encourages us to live with integrity, as good deeds will always be rewarded, and bad actions will bring about negative consequences. Such a belief inspires people to live honorably.

The story of The Grateful Tiger is a touching tale about a tiger, a fierce animal that possesses a heart full of gratitude. Using an animal story to convey a human message, the author emphasizes the importance of gratitude in human life.

In the first part of the story, a tiger rushes to the house of the midwife, carrying her through the night. Initially, one might think the tiger is hunting, but when it encounters bushes, it carefully clears the path with its paw, showing caution and gentleness in its actions. The tiger's conflicting behaviors build suspense and excitement. Upon arriving, the midwife sees the female tiger in distress, scraping the ground, and initially fears the tiger will attack her. However, noticing the male tiger's tearful expression, she quickly realizes that the female tiger is about to give birth.

Using her medical expertise, the midwife prepares a remedy from spring water and massages the tiger's belly, soothing it through the pain. Her tender care and compassion for the wild tiger exemplify the selflessness of a healer, despite knowing the dangers of interacting with such a fierce animal. In that moment, both the human and the tiger share a deep understanding and connection. In return for the midwife’s help, the male tiger gifts her a silver ingot and bids her farewell with great respect.

The farewell scene is filled with emotion and deep gratitude! Through this, we see the tiger's heart, which, though incapable of expressing thanks in words, conveys its appreciation through actions. Not only that, but the tiger also shows immense affection, concerned for the female tiger about to give birth, and later playing with its cubs. The love and gratitude expressed by the tiger are deeply moving and worthy of admiration.

The second story involves a tiger in distress, struggling with a bone stuck in its throat. Blood and saliva pour out as the tiger's efforts to remove the bone worsen the situation. In this moment of crisis, a woodcutter bravely steps in to help, jokingly saying, “If I help you, remember me.” The tiger, taking the words to heart, expresses its gratitude. Whenever the tiger catches prey, it brings a part to the woodcutter. After the woodcutter’s death, the tiger visits his grave and continues to honor the anniversary of his passing. The memory of its savior is etched in the tiger's heart, and its mournful roar at the woodcutter’s death serves as a final tribute to the one who saved its life.

Both stories, filled with thrilling details, show that even the most ferocious creatures can possess a deep sense of gratitude. The tiger’s actions remind us to always be mindful of our debts of gratitude and to live with integrity and compassion. This is a noble tradition that has been passed down through generations in Vietnamese culture.

The use of animals as symbols to express personal thoughts and feelings about social issues is a well-established literary device. Writers often draw inspiration from real-life creatures to convey powerful messages, as seen in the remarkable story 'The Grateful Tiger' by Vu Trinh. This touching narrative explores the theme of gratitude through the actions of a tiger who repays kindness after receiving help. The story conveys a profound lesson about human compassion and the importance of returning favors.

In the story, two separate narratives unfold. The first features a tiger that, driven by love and concern for a female tiger, seeks the help of a midwife, Mrs. Tran, to deliver her cubs. In return for the assistance, the grateful tiger offers a silver ingot. The second tale centers on a tiger suffering from an obstructed throat. In its time of need, a kind woodsman offers help, and the tiger, ever grateful, repays him as well.

Traditionally seen as a fierce and dangerous creature, the tiger is often feared by humans. But through Vu Trinh's lens, the tiger is portrayed as an emotional being, capable of acts of kindness and compassion. This animal, often misunderstood, demonstrates that even those we perceive as cold and distant are capable of gratitude. The story offers a reflection on how we, as humans, sometimes forget to acknowledge the kindness we receive and fail to repay it, living instead for self-interest. As the saying goes, 'Even a fierce tiger won't harm its own cubs,' yet there are still people who, in pursuit of money and fame, forsake their moral values. The story teaches that true humanity lies in acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the help others give us, regardless of their status or species.

In addition to its narrative power, 'The Grateful Tiger' imparts valuable lessons on morality, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and the natural law of cause and effect. Through this tale, Vu Trinh invites readers to reflect on their own actions and relationships, urging us to recognize the ties that bind us as human beings.

The story of 'The Grateful Tiger' is a work by Vu Trinh (1759-1828), a Confucian scholar from Xuan Lan village, Lang Tai district, Kinh Bac (now Bac Ninh province). He passed the imperial exam (became a scholar) and served under both the Le and Nguyen dynasties. The tale belongs to the fable genre, using animals to emphasize human virtues such as gratitude and loyalty.

The two sections of the story feature similar structure: a tiger (or a family of tigers) faces a crisis, a person rescues the tiger, and the tiger repays the kindness. The first part tells of a tiger's story with midwife Tran from Dong Trieu district. The male tiger repays Tran with ten taels of silver for saving his wife and children. This money helped her survive a year of famine.

The art of personification is evident in this fable, giving the male tiger human-like qualities. It not only repays its savior but also exhibits admirable traits, such as caring for the female tiger during childbirth, expressing joy at the birth of its offspring, being respectful, and bidding farewell with affection...

The second section recounts the tale of a white-faced tiger and a woodcutter in Lang Giang. The tiger, suffering from a bone stuck in its throat, writhes in agony, causing trees and bushes to sway. The woodcutter helps the tiger dislodge the bone. In return, the tiger expresses its gratitude. Over ten years later, when the woodcutter dies, the tiger visits the coffin, mourning the loss. Every year on the anniversary of the woodcutter's death, the tiger brings a goat or pig to lay at his door.

This part is compelling, with unique details, such as the tense moment when the tiger struggles with the bone, the bold and heartfelt actions of the woodcutter in saving the tiger, and the deep gratitude the tiger shows. The most significant lesson from these two tigers is their sense of gratitude — a core value in humanity.

After the midwife helps the female tiger deliver her cubs safely, the male tiger joyfully plays with the cubs before humbly offering a lump of silver to the midwife as thanks. This immediate act of gratitude, without hesitation or second thoughts, highlights the deep sincerity of the tiger. Despite being an animal, the tiger shows remarkable loyalty to the one who helped its family through a difficult time. As the midwife departs, the tiger bows its head and waves its tail. When she is out of sight, the tiger roars in farewell, expressing its heartfelt gratitude.

The white-faced tiger also repays its rescuer in a different manner. After being saved, it brings a deer to the woodcutter’s house as a token of appreciation. The most touching moment occurs ten years later when the tiger, still remembering the woodcutter, mourns at the grave. On the anniversary of his death, the tiger continues the tradition, offering a goat or pig as a tribute.

This passage powerfully illustrates the tiger’s unwavering gratitude through two distinct roars: one to express thanks for the deer, and another to mourn the passing of its savior. Its roars symbolize a vow never to forget the kindness of the deceased.

The author conveys these stories in a simple, natural voice, without exaggeration or commentary, which makes the moral lessons even more impactful and profound.

In reality, animals such as dogs and horses may display loyalty, but certainly not to the idealized extent shown by the tigers in this story. By depicting such noble tigers, the author subtly teaches readers that humans, too, should live with deep gratitude and loyalty. The lesson is clear: to be human, one must live with love and gratitude, as these values can touch not only other people but even animals.