Top 12 Best Essays Retelling the Story of 'Thạch Sanh' in My Own Words (Grade 6)

Long ago, there was an elderly couple who, despite their age, had no children. They were kind-hearted and always ready to help others. Seeing their good nature, the Jade Emperor sent his son to be reincarnated as their child, named Thạch Sanh. Sadly, the couple passed away early, leaving Thạch Sanh an orphan who lived alone near a banyan tree, cutting wood to survive.

One day, a wine merchant named Lý Thông, upon learning of Thạch Sanh's extraordinary strength, befriended him, and they became sworn brothers. Thạch Sanh, once an orphan, was overjoyed to have such a companion.

In ancient times, dangerous creatures roamed the land, including the dreaded Chằn Tinh, a monster who terrorized the people. Each year, the royal court had to offer a human sacrifice to appease it. This time, it was Lý Thông's turn. He tricked Thạch Sanh into guarding the temple, claiming he had urgent matters to attend to.

Thạch Sanh agreed to take his place. That night, the Chằn Tinh appeared, and the two engaged in a fierce battle. With his skill, Thạch Sanh quickly defeated the beast, severing its head and bringing it back. The body turned into a golden bow. Lý Thông, seeing this, took credit for the victory, and the king, pleased, appointed him as a nobleman.

The princess was captured by a giant eagle, and Thạch Sanh, using the golden bow, shot the bird, wounding it and forcing it to flee. Lý Thông once again sought his help to slay the eagle and rescue the princess. Afterward, Lý Thông had the eagle's cave sealed to claim credit for this deed as well. Meanwhile, Thạch Sanh was saved by a benevolent prince, the son of the Dragon King, who gave him a magical harp.

Seeking revenge, the souls of the Chằn Tinh and the eagle plotted to frame Thạch Sanh by stealing his belongings and placing them at the banyan tree, where he was arrested and imprisoned. Upon the princess's return to the palace, she suddenly became mute, and the king, desperate, did not know how to cure her. In prison, Thạch Sanh played the harp, and the princess immediately regained her voice. Thạch Sanh was cleared of the false charges, and Lý Thông's family was pardoned but was struck by lightning on the way home, turning into stone frogs.

The wedding of Thạch Sanh and the princess was held at the royal palace, and neighboring kingdoms, angered by this, sent troops to attack. Thạch Sanh played his magical harp, and with its power, he temporarily repelled the armies of 18 kingdoms. He also treated them to food from an enchanted pot that never ran out.

In his final days, the king abdicated the throne in favor of Thạch Sanh, who ruled wisely with his princess, and they lived happily ever after.

In a small village, there lived an elderly farming couple who, despite their poverty, were very kind-hearted but had no children. The Jade Emperor, moved by their plight, sent his son to be reincarnated as their child, named Thạch Sanh. Sadly, the couple passed away early, and Thạch Sanh grew up alone by the banyan tree, making a living by collecting firewood.

One day, Lý Thông, a wine merchant, saw Thạch Sanh’s strength and, pretending to be his friend, tricked him into becoming his sworn brother in order to exploit him. Thạch Sanh, being a good-natured person, trusted Lý Thông without suspicion. Lý Thông then tricked Thạch Sanh into taking his place to offer a human sacrifice to the Chằn Tinh at the temple. Thạch Sanh, however, killed the monster, burned its body, and received a golden bow in return. Once again, Lý Thông took credit for Thạch Sanh’s deed and was rewarded with a noble title. Thạch Sanh returned to live alone by the banyan tree.

When the princess was captured by a giant eagle, Thạch Sanh shot the bird with the golden bow and followed the trail of blood to find its lair. The king sent Lý Thông to rescue the princess. Lý Thông once again asked Thạch Sanh for help, and when the princess was freed, he had the cave sealed to kill Thạch Sanh. Eventually, the king gave the princess's hand in marriage to Lý Thông. However, in the cave, Thạch Sanh saved the son of the Dragon King, who gifted him with a magical harp.

When the princess returned to the palace, she could no longer speak, and the king was deeply worried. Meanwhile, Thạch Sanh was falsely accused by the Chằn Tinh and the eagle and was imprisoned. While in prison, he played the magical harp, and the princess regained her voice. She told the king the truth, and Thạch Sanh was cleared of all charges. Lý Thông and his family were pardoned, but due to their wickedness, they were struck by lightning and turned into stone frogs.

Thạch Sanh was married to the princess and became the royal consort. The princes of neighboring kingdoms, who were angry that they were not given the princess, marched to attack. Thạch Sanh used the magical harp to drive away the armies of 18 kingdoms, then treated them to food from an enchanted pot that never ran out.

In the end, the king abdicated the throne in favor of Thạch Sanh.

Once upon a time, in Cao Bình district, there was an elderly couple who worked as woodcutters. Though poor, they had kind hearts and were deeply compassionate. The Jade Emperor, moved by their kindness, sent his son to reincarnate as their child. After many years, the wife, though old, miraculously gave birth to a strong and handsome son, whom they named Thạch Sanh. Unfortunately, the mother passed away not long after, and Thạch Sanh was left alone, living by the banyan tree, working as a woodcutter. The Jade Emperor, still compassionate, sent a celestial being to teach Thạch Sanh martial arts, magical powers, and gave him a magical axe as a weapon. Nearby, there was a man named Lý Thông, who sold wine. He invited Thạch Sanh to his home and made him his sworn brother. When it was Lý Thông's turn to offer a sacrifice to the Chằn Tinh, he tricked Thạch Sanh into going in his place.

At midnight, the Chằn Tinh arrived to attack, and the two fought fiercely. Using its magical powers, the Chằn Tinh tried to vanish, but Thạch Sanh, with his magical axe, killed the creature and cut off its head. He then received a golden bow and arrows as a reward. Returning with the Chằn Tinh's head, Thạch Sanh knocked on Lý Thông's door. The mother and son were terrified, but Lý Thông, upon seeing the monstrous head, threatened Thạch Sanh, claiming that he had killed the king's prized beast and ordered him to flee. Thạch Sanh returned to the banyan tree, while Lý Thông presented the head to the court and was granted the title of Duke.

During a royal tournament to find a suitor for the princess, a giant eagle swooped down and captured her. Thạch Sanh, resting under the banyan tree, saw the bird and shot it with his bow. The eagle, though wounded, managed to fly back to its lair. The king promised to marry the princess to whoever could save her. Lý Thông sought out his sworn brother, and Thạch Sanh followed the trail of blood to the eagle's nest. The beast fiercely resisted, but Thạch Sanh, using his golden bow and axe, blinded the eagle and cut off its sharp talons, splitting its head in two.

He freed the princess from the cave, but Lý Thông ordered his men to seal the entrance to trap Thạch Sanh. Undeterred, Thạch Sanh used the golden bow to break the iron bars, freeing the Dragon King's son, who had also been captured by the eagle. Grateful, the Dragon King invited Thạch Sanh to his underwater kingdom. There, the king offered him treasures, but Thạch Sanh humbly accepted only a magical harp as a token. Returning to the banyan tree, Thạch Sanh lived contentedly.

The spirits of the Chằn Tinh and the eagle met and plotted revenge. They stole the king's treasures and hid them at the banyan tree, framing Thạch Sanh. The princess, after being rescued, fell mute, and the royal physicians were at a loss. Meanwhile, Thạch Sanh was imprisoned. He played the magical harp, and the princess regained her voice. She joyfully told the king everything. Thạch Sanh was exonerated, while Lý Thông and his family were pardoned. However, on their way home, they were struck by lightning and turned into dung beetles.

The king made Thạch Sanh the royal consort. Eighteen neighboring kingdoms, angered that they were not given the princess, sent armies to besiege the capital. Thạch Sanh used the magical harp to repel the invaders, and the soldiers were treated to a meal from an enchanted pot that never ran out. Years later, the aging king abdicated the throne to Thạch Sanh.

'Thạch Sanh' is a wonderful story that I will always remember. My teacher told this story in such a captivating way at the end of our lesson.

Once upon a time, there was an elderly couple who had no children. Seeing their kindness and willingness to help others, the Jade Emperor decided to send his son down to be born as their child. After many years, the wife was pregnant but had not yet given birth. Eventually, the husband fell ill and passed away. Years later, the wife finally gave birth to a son.

When the boy grew older, his mother passed away, and he lived alone in a small hut under the banyan tree. His only possession was his father's axe, which he inherited. People called him Thạch Sanh. One day, a man named Lý Thông, who ran a tavern, tricked Thạch Sanh into becoming his sworn brother for his own benefit. Thạch Sanh, being kind-hearted, agreed and moved in with Lý Thông and his mother.

At that time, a monstrous creature, the Chằn Tinh, roamed the area, known for its magical powers and for eating humans. The local authorities could do nothing about it, and each year, the villagers had to offer one person as a sacrifice to the creature. This year, it was Lý Thông's turn. He and his mother devised a plan to send Thạch Sanh in their place. Thạch Sanh, being honest and naïve, agreed to go. At midnight, the Chằn Tinh appeared, and Thạch Sanh used his axe to kill it. He cut off its head and took a set of golden arrows as a reward. Lý Thông and his mother were initially terrified, but Lý Thông quickly devised a scheme to send Thạch Sanh away, claiming that he had killed the king's pet serpent.

Thạch Sanh, trusting Lý Thông, left and returned to the banyan tree. Lý Thông proudly took the monster's head to the city and presented it to the king, receiving praise and being granted the title of Duke. That year, the king held a grand event to find a husband for his daughter, but unfortunately, she was kidnapped by a giant eagle. The eagle flew over Thạch Sanh's hut, and he shot it with a golden arrow, injuring it. Thạch Sanh followed the trail of blood and found the eagle's lair.

Since the princess had gone missing, the king was devastated and promised to give his daughter's hand and the throne to whoever could rescue her. Lý Thông found Thạch Sanh and learned where the eagle's lair was. Thạch Sanh entered the cave to rescue the princess. After killing the monster, he tied a rope to the princess and signaled for Lý Thông to pull her out. However, Lý Thông ordered his men to block the entrance with rocks. Thạch Sanh managed to escape and, by chance, freed the Dragon King's son. The Dragon King, grateful for the rescue, gifted Thạch Sanh a magical harp.

The spirits of the Chằn Tinh and the eagle met and plotted their revenge. They stole treasures from the king's vault and hid them at the banyan tree to frame Thạch Sanh. He was captured and defeated. Meanwhile, the princess, upon returning to the palace, became melancholic and mute, and no doctors could cure her. One day, as she heard the sound of the harp from the prison, she suddenly laughed and spoke joyfully. The king, surprised, called for Thạch Sanh. He explained everything to the king. The king ordered the arrest of Lý Thông and his mother, and Thạch Sanh was given the task of judging them. He chose not to execute them but instead sent them back to their village to live. On the way, they were struck by lightning and transformed into dung beetles.

The king married the princess to Thạch Sanh. Princes from neighboring kingdoms, enraged by the marriage, gathered armies from eighteen countries to attack the kingdom. Thạch Sanh played his harp, and the soldiers from the eighteen countries were so terrified that they couldn't fight. The princes had to surrender. Thạch Sanh treated the defeated soldiers to a small pot of rice that never ran out, and they were amazed. The soldiers left, humbled and in awe. Later, the king abdicated in favor of Thạch Sanh.

The more I hear this story, the more I admire Thạch Sanh's kind and good-hearted nature, and I despise people like Lý Thông and his mother who are ungrateful. I promise to follow his example and strive to become a useful person in society, understanding the deeper meaning of this fairy tale: 'Goodness will be rewarded' and 'Evil will be punished.'

Thạch Sanh was orphaned at a young age, spending his days in the forest chopping firewood to survive, and using the banyan tree as his shelter. At the age of 13, he was taught all forms of martial arts and magical abilities by a divine being. Lý Thông, who sold alcohol, became his sworn brother. He tricked Thạch Sanh into offering himself as a sacrifice to the Chằn Tinh. Thạch Sanh defeated the monster and was rewarded with a golden bow and arrows. Lý Thông stole the credit for Thạch Sanh's deeds and sent him back to the banyan tree. Thạch Sanh later wounded the giant eagle and followed the trail of blood to its deep lair.

He rescued Princess Quỳnh Nga, the daughter of King Việt Vương, and the son of the Dragon King. He was invited to visit the underwater kingdom, where he defeated Hồ Tinh. The Dragon King rewarded him with a magical harp and a pot of endless rice. Returning to the banyan tree, Thạch Sanh was betrayed by the spirits of the Chằn Tinh and the eagle, who plotted his downfall. Thạch Sanh was imprisoned.

While in prison, he played the magical harp. Princess Quỳnh Nga, who had been ill, suddenly recovered and began speaking and laughing upon hearing the music. Lý Thông’s treachery was exposed. The king ordered the arrest of Lý Thông and his mother. Thạch Sanh allowed them to return home to live peacefully. On their journey, however, they were struck down by the Thunder God and transformed into dung beetles. Thạch Sanh married Princess Quỳnh Nga. Eighteen kingdoms surrounded the capital in a siege, but Thạch Sanh used the harp to repel the invaders without losing a single life or arrow. He served the invading forces a small pot of rice that they could never finish. Thạch Sanh was made a national hero, and shortly after, King Việt Vương passed the throne to him.

The story of Thạch Sanh reflects the people's hopes and belief in justice, social fairness, and their ideals of humanism and peace. It is particularly noteworthy that the story demonstrates how righteousness and goodness, though temporarily overshadowed, will ultimately triumph, while evil and injustice may succeed for a while but will eventually fail. Even the most cunning and deceptive individuals will be punished for their malevolent actions.

In the treasure trove of Vietnamese literature, there are many stories that have become legends. These not only embody the nation's culture but also celebrate the people of Vietnam. As children, many of us likely grew up hearing and memorizing the heroic tales of legendary figures. When talking about fairy tale heroes, one cannot fail to mention Thạch Sanh. 'Thạch Sanh' is one of the most famous folk tales in our country.

The story goes that in ancient times, there was a couple in Cao Bình who worked as woodcutters. They were kind-hearted, loving, and always willing to help others, yet despite their old age, they had no children. The Jade Emperor took pity on them and sent the Prince to be reincarnated on Earth. From then on, the wife became pregnant, but after many years, she still had not given birth. Eventually, the husband fell ill and passed away. Years later, the elderly woman gave birth to a strong and handsome son named Thạch Sanh. Not long after, she also passed away. Thạch Sanh lived alone in the old hut beneath the banyan tree, with only his father's axe as his inheritance. The Jade Emperor then sent a divine being to teach Thạch Sanh martial arts and magic, gifting him a magical axe as a weapon.

Nearby, there lived a tavern owner named Lý Thông. One day, he suddenly visited and coaxed Thạch Sanh into becoming sworn brothers, inviting him to stay at his house. Thạch Sanh, unaware of the deception, happily agreed. At that time, a Chằn Tinh (demon) roamed the area, known for its supernatural powers and its appetite for human flesh. Local authorities were helpless, and each year, the villagers had to offer a person as a sacrifice. This year, it was Lý Thông's turn to give up his life. Lý Thông and his mother devised a plan to trick Thạch Sanh into guarding the temple so they could sacrifice him instead. Thạch Sanh, trusting them, agreed without suspicion. At midnight, the Chằn Tinh appeared and attacked. The two battled, and Thạch Sanh, using his magical axe, killed the demon, severing its head and claiming a golden bow and arrows. He returned with the demon's head. Lý Thông and his mother, hearing a knock at the door, were terrified. But after seeing the head, Lý Thông threatened Thạch Sanh, saying that he had killed the King’s prized creature and should flee. Naively, Thạch Sanh believed him and returned to the old banyan tree. Meanwhile, Lý Thông took the demon's head to the capital and presented it to the king, who rewarded him with the title of Duke.

That year, the king held a grand celebration to choose a suitor for the princess. During the ceremony, a giant eagle swooped down and kidnapped the princess. The eagle flew over Thạch Sanh's hut, where he saw it and shot it with the golden bow, wounding it. He followed the trail of blood and discovered the eagle’s lair. The princess had gone missing, and the king, heartbroken, promised to marry the princess and pass the throne to whoever rescued her. Lý Thông approached Thạch Sanh and was told where the eagle resided. Thạch Sanh descended into the eagle's lair to rescue the princess. Using his magical axe, he severed the eagle's claws, killed it, and tied the princess to a rope to be pulled up. However, once the princess was rescued, Lý Thông ordered his soldiers to seal the cave entrance with stones, once again betraying Thạch Sanh.

Thạch Sanh managed to find his way out and, by chance, saved the son of the Dragon King. The prince invited him to visit the underwater palace. In gratitude, the Dragon King offered Thạch Sanh treasures, but he declined, asking only for a magical harp as a keepsake before returning to the banyan tree. The Chằn Tinh and the eagle, now together, plotted their revenge. They stole treasures from the royal treasury and hid them at the banyan tree, framing Thạch Sanh for theft. Thạch Sanh was captured and imprisoned.

Since her return to the palace, the princess had fallen into a deep sadness, no longer speaking or laughing. The royal doctors could do nothing. One day, Thạch Sanh played the magical harp, its music filled with sorrow and resentment. Upon hearing the melody, the princess suddenly began to smile and speak joyfully. She asked the king to meet the person who played the harp. When they reunited, the princess was overjoyed. The king, now understanding the full situation, ordered the arrest of Lý Thông and his mother, placing them in prison. Thạch Sanh, however, pardoned them and allowed them to return home. On their journey, they were struck by lightning and transformed into dung beetles.

The king arranged for the princess to marry Thạch Sanh. Eighteen princes from neighboring kingdoms, upset by their failure to marry her, gathered armies and marched to lay siege. Thạch Sanh played the magical harp, causing the soldiers to lose all will to fight. The princes, defeated, laid down their armor and surrendered. Thạch Sanh fed them a tiny pot of rice that they could never finish. Overwhelmed, the princes returned to their kingdoms. Years later, the old king, weakened by age, passed the throne to Thạch Sanh.

'Thạch Sanh' is a folk tale rich in meaning, not only celebrating the bravery and kindness of an honest hero but also reminding us of the ancient moral teachings: 'Goodness will be rewarded, and evil will be punished.'

Every child, without exception, has surely heard fascinating fairy tales from their grandmother or mother, and one of the most memorable stories for me is the tale of 'Thạch Sanh'.

The story begins long ago with an elderly couple who were childless. Despite their kindness and willingness to help others, they had not been blessed with children. The Jade Emperor, moved by their compassion, decided to send his son, the Prince, to be reborn as their child. After many years of waiting, the wife finally gave birth to a healthy son, but tragically, the mother passed away soon after. The young boy, named Thạch Sanh, was left to live alone in a small hut made of branches under a large banyan tree, with only his father's axe to remember him by. At the age of 13, the Jade Emperor sent someone to teach Thạch Sanh martial arts and magical powers.

One day, a wine merchant named Lý Thông passed by and decided to stop and rest. Seeing Thạch Sanh’s kind nature, strength, and orphaned status, Lý Thông thought to himself, 'This strong yet naive boy could be of great help to me.' He proposed a brotherly bond with Thạch Sanh, who, happy to have found someone who cared for him, agreed. After their bond was formed, Lý Thông invited Thạch Sanh to live with him to take advantage of his naivety.

At that time, a fearsome creature, the Chằn Tinh, terrorized the region by devouring people. The villagers were helpless and had to offer up one person each year to the creature. This year, it was Lý Thông's turn. He and his mother hatched a plan to deceive Thạch Sanh into guarding a temple overnight, where they hoped he would be killed in place of them. Trusting others, Thạch Sanh accepted the task. That night, the Chằn Tinh appeared. Thạch Sanh bravely killed the monster with his axe and brought back its head, along with a set of golden bows and arrows. Initially terrified, Lý Thông soon devised another scheme to convince Thạch Sanh to leave, falsely accusing him of killing the king's prized serpent.

Thạch Sanh, still innocent, believed Lý Thông’s words and left for his old home under the banyan tree. Meanwhile, Lý Thông proudly presented the monster's head to the king and was rewarded with a noble title. That same year, the king organized a grand event to find a suitor for the princess, but tragedy struck when a giant eagle abducted her. The eagle flew over Thạch Sanh's hut, where he shot it with a golden arrow. He followed the blood trail to the eagle's nest, where the princess was kept. In a bid to find her, the king promised to marry his daughter to the one who rescued her. Lý Thông again sought Thạch Sanh's help, and Thạch Sanh led him to the eagle’s lair. After killing the beast and rescuing the princess, Thạch Sanh signaled Lý Thông to pull her up. However, Lý Thông betrayed him by ordering soldiers to seal the cave entrance with rocks. Thạch Sanh managed to escape and eventually saved the king’s son from the Sea King. In gratitude, the Sea King gave Thạch Sanh a magical harp.

The Chằn Tinh and the eagle met once more and planned their revenge. They stole treasures from the royal vault and hid them at the banyan tree to frame Thạch Sanh. He was captured and imprisoned.

The princess, who had been sorrowful since her disappearance, suddenly regained her cheerfulness after hearing the magical music from Thạch Sanh's harp. The king, curious about this change, summoned Thạch Sanh, who revealed the truth. The king had Lý Thông and his mother arrested and sentenced them to be judged by Thạch Sanh. He spared their lives, but as they journeyed back to their village, they were struck by lightning and transformed into dung beetles.

The king, impressed by Thạch Sanh’s integrity, married the princess to him. Angered by this, princes from 18 neighboring kingdoms tried to challenge Thạch Sanh. However, when Thạch Sanh played his magical harp, the enemy soldiers became weak and unable to fight. The princes had no choice but to surrender. Thạch Sanh treated them with humility, offering them a small pot of rice that seemed endless, and they returned home in awe. Later, the king, weakened by age, passed the throne to Thạch Sanh.

The more I hear this story, the more I admire Thạch Sanh’s kind and virtuous nature. I also despise those who are ungrateful, like Lý Thông and his mother. This fairy tale teaches us the powerful lessons of 'Good deeds are always rewarded, while evil deeds are punished.' I promise to follow Thạch Sanh’s example and strive to be a person who contributes positively to society, understanding the deeper meaning of this story.

Once upon a time, in the Cao Binh district, there was an elderly woodcutter couple who had no children. Every day, they would venture into the forest to gather wood in exchange for rice to sustain themselves. Though poor, they were kind-hearted and often helped others. Witnessing their kindness, the Jade Emperor decided to send the Prince to reincarnate as their child.

After some time, the wife became pregnant, but strangely, despite the years passing, she could not give birth. Her husband fell ill and passed away. Eventually, she gave birth to a son named Thạch Sanh. Tragically, when the boy grew up, his mother passed away too. Thạch Sanh lived alone in a small hut under an ancient banyan tree, with nothing of value except for the axe his father left behind. He continued to make a living by chopping wood. The Jade Emperor sent angels to teach Thạch Sanh martial arts and magical abilities.

One day, Lý Thông, a wine vendor, passed by the banyan tree. Seeing the strong young man carrying two large bundles of wood, he thought to himself, 'Wow! This man is as strong as an ox. If he lives with me, it would be so beneficial!' Lý Thông approached and struck up a conversation. Thạch Sanh, being honest and straightforward, told him about his life. Lý Thông suggested that they become sworn brothers. Feeling lonely, Thạch Sanh happily agreed and left the banyan tree to live with Lý Thông and his family.

At that time, a monstrous ogre that devoured people was terrorizing the area. It could shapeshift and had many powers. The villagers built a temple to appease it, offering a life each year to avoid further destruction. This year, it was Lý Thông's turn to offer a sacrifice. Lý Thông and his family were frightened and schemed to trick Thạch Sanh into taking his place. He prepared a banquet with wine and meat. In the evening, when Thạch Sanh returned home after gathering wood, Lý Thông invited him to dine and then said:

- Tonight, it's your turn to guard the temple, but since I'm in the middle of brewing a batch of wine, could you take my place and go until morning?

Believing his words, Thạch Sanh immediately went to the temple.

At midnight, as Thạch Sanh was half asleep, the ogre appeared behind the temple. It raised its claws to attack, but Thạch Sanh grabbed his axe and fought back. The ogre kept vanishing and reappearing, but Thạch Sanh was not afraid. He used all his skills to fight the monster. After some time, his axe cleaved the ogre in two. The ogre's true form revealed itself to be a giant snake. Beside the corpse, there was a golden bow and arrow. Thạch Sanh decapitated the creature, collected the bow and arrows, and returned home.

Thinking that the vengeful spirit of Thạch Sanh had come to claim their lives, Lý Thông and his mother were terrified and begged for mercy. After hearing Thạch Sanh's story of slaying the ogre, they calmed down. But being deceitful and greedy, Lý Thông concocted another plan. He pretended to be worried:

- That serpent was owned by the king for many years. Now that you've killed it, you’ll surely be sentenced to death. Hurry, run away! I'll take care of everything here.

Thạch Sanh, trusting him, left immediately and returned to his old hut under the banyan tree, where he continued to chop wood for a living. Meanwhile, Lý Thông took the ogre's head to the king, who rewarded him handsomely and appointed him as a Duke.

When the princess of the king came of age, many princes from neighboring lands sent envoys to propose marriage, but she was not interested in any of them. The king decided to hold a contest, and whoever caught the ball she threw from the tower would become her husband. However, as she was about to throw the ball, a giant eagle swooped down and carried her off. The eagle flew over Thạch Sanh’s dwelling, and seeing it, he shot the bird with the golden bow. The eagle was wounded and flew back to its mountain lair. Following the trail of blood, Thạch Sanh tracked down the cave where the princess was kept.

The king, devastated by the princess’s disappearance, ordered Lý Thông to find her and promised to marry her off to him and pass on the throne. Lý Thông, both glad and fearful, devised another scheme. He ordered a ten-day singing contest to gather information about Thạch Sanh. On the tenth day, he encountered Thạch Sanh attending the contest. Upon hearing that Lý Thông was searching for the missing princess, Thạch Sanh told him everything. Lý Thông, overjoyed, asked him to lead the way to the eagle's lair.

Once there, Thạch Sanh immediately entered to rescue the princess. The king’s soldiers tied a rope around him and lowered him into the deep cave. Though the giant eagle was seriously wounded, it leaped at Thạch Sanh as soon as it saw him. With quick reflexes, Thạch Sanh shot it in the eyes with the golden bow and struck its head with his axe. He tied the princess to his body and signaled to the soldiers to pull her up. Once the princess was safely on the surface, Lý Thông ordered his soldiers to take her back to the palace while he stayed behind, planning to collapse the cave and kill Thạch Sanh to take credit for the rescue.

Realizing he had been betrayed, Thạch Sanh searched for an escape route. At the far end of the cave, he discovered a young man locked in a steel cage. Thạch Sanh shot the cage open with the golden bow and freed the prince, who was the son of the Sea King. The prince thanked him profusely and invited him to visit the underwater palace. When the Sea King was reunited with his son, he was overjoyed and treated Thạch Sanh with great hospitality. Thạch Sanh, however, declined the gold and treasures offered to him and only requested a magical musical instrument. The prince guided him back to shore, and Thạch Sanh returned to his old hut under the banyan tree.

Meanwhile, the ogre and the eagle’s spirits, after being slain by Thạch Sanh, wandered the earth. They happened to meet and plotted revenge. They stole precious items from the royal palace and secretly placed them in Thạch Sanh’s hut. He was arrested and imprisoned. Unable to explain his innocence, Thạch Sanh remained in prison. Since the princess had been cured after her rescue, she mysteriously fell ill again and became melancholic, refusing to speak or smile. Her wedding to Lý Thông was postponed. The king sent for doctors, but none could cure her.

One day, feeling lonely in the prison, Thạch Sanh played his magical instrument. The mournful sound reached the royal palace. Upon hearing the music, the princess suddenly became cheerful again. She requested that the king send for the musician who played the instrument. The king, both relieved and curious, invited Thạch Sanh into the palace. After hearing his story, the truth was revealed. The king was furious and ordered Lý Thông and his mother to be imprisoned. Thạch Sanh, known for his kindness and mercy, forgave them, but on their way home, they were struck by lightning and turned into beetles. The princess and Thạch Sanh’s wedding was held with great celebrations for many days, and everyone rejoiced at the bravery and honesty of the young man.

When news spread that the king had married the princess to a poor woodcutter, princes from eighteen kingdoms gathered their armies and marched to attack. Thạch Sanh asked the king for permission to go and fight the invaders. He took only his magical instrument with him. As soon as he played, the enemy soldiers were paralyzed with fear and immediately surrendered. Thạch Sanh ordered a feast for the defeated troops. Thousands of soldiers were astonished to see only a small pot of rice brought out. They scoffed at it and refused to eat. Thạch Sanh, smiling, challenged them to finish the pot of rice, offering a reward if they did. To their amazement, the rice never ran out, no matter how much they ate. The soldiers from the eighteen kingdoms, awestruck, bowed to Thạch Sanh and returned home. The king then passed on the throne to Thạch Sanh. He and the princess lived peacefully and happily together.

Among all the stories I have read and studied, my favorite one is the tale of Thạch Sanh.

In the past, there was an elderly couple in Cao Bình who had no children. They were very virtuous and well-known for their goodness. Moved by their kindness, the Jade Emperor sent the Crown Prince to reincarnate as their child. Eventually, the woman became pregnant, but strangely, after many years, there was still no birth. It was not until her husband passed away that she gave birth to a son!

However, the boy's mother passed away when he was still young. He lived alone in a humble hut under a banyan tree, poor and without anything but a simple axe his father had left behind. People started calling him Thạch Sanh. As he grew and learned how to use the axe, the Jade Emperor sent celestial beings to teach him martial arts and magical powers.

One day, a wine seller named Lí Thông saw Thạch Sanh carrying a heavy load of firewood and thought that this man must be very poor. He approached Thạch Sanh and struck up a conversation, eventually persuading him to become sworn brothers. Thạch Sanh, who had no family, was delighted to have someone care for him. He left his hut to live with Lí Thông and his family.

At that time, there was a demon in the village that had many supernatural powers and ate human flesh. Each year, the village had to sacrifice a person to it. This year, it was Lí Thông's turn to offer a victim, and he cunningly tricked Thạch Sanh into taking his place. One night, Lí Thông invited Thạch Sanh to a feast and then asked him to guard the temple instead of drinking. Thạch Sanh agreed. While he was dozing, the demon appeared, and they fought. In the end, Thạch Sanh defeated the demon, whose true form was a giant snake.

When Thạch Sanh returned home and showed Lí Thông the demon's head, Lí Thông tricked him again, taking the head to the king and claiming credit. The king rewarded him with a title. The king's daughter, who had reached marriageable age, was sought by princes from many countries, but none of them were suitable for her. So, the king decided to let her choose a husband by throwing a golden ball. However, as she was about to throw it, a giant eagle swooped down and kidnapped her. The king sent Lí Thông to find her, but he couldn't find any trace. After days of searching with no success, Lí Thông joined Thạch Sanh at a festival, thinking he could deceive him once again. Thạch Sanh then explained how he had shot the eagle's wing. Lí Thông eagerly followed Thạch Sanh and his soldiers to rescue the princess. When they reached the eagle's lair, Thạch Sanh was lowered into the cave. Despite the wounded eagle, it attacked again, but Thạch Sanh eventually split its head in two.

After rescuing the princess, Lí Thông blocked the cave with stones. Realizing Lí Thông had betrayed him, Thạch Sanh found his way back up. Inside the cave, he also saved the dragon king's son, who led him to the underwater palace. There, Thạch Sanh was given a magical harp by the Dragon King before returning to his hut.

The spirits of the demon and the eagle wandered, seeking revenge on Thạch Sanh. They hid treasures in Thạch Sanh's house, causing him to be imprisoned. The princess, who had fallen silent since her return, suddenly spoke and laughed when she heard Thạch Sanh's music from his harp. The princess sent for the musician, and Thạch Sanh exposed the crimes of Lí Thông and his family. The king gave Thạch Sanh the power to judge them, but he chose to release them, though they were struck by lightning and perished on their way.

Thạch Sanh married the princess in a grand ceremony. However, the princes from eighteen kingdoms who had once sought her hand were furious and planned to invade. Thạch Sanh advised the king not to go to war and instead went alone with his harp to confront the enemy. As he played, the enemy soldiers were so moved that they no longer wished to fight. Thạch Sanh treated them to a magical feast that never ended, and in the end, the soldiers bowed and left. Later, when the king had no sons, he passed the throne to Thạch Sanh!

This story of Thạch Sanh has broadened my perspective and taught me the lesson that "you reap what you sow."

Of all the folk tales I have heard my grandmother tell, my favorite is the story of Thạch Sanh.

The story is about a young man named Thạch Sanh. He was originally a Crown Prince in the heavens, sent by the Jade Emperor to be the son of a kind elderly couple on Earth. Since he was divine, his mother carried him for many years before giving birth. His father passed away before his birth, and his mother only lived to see him grow up. Thạch Sanh grew up alone, living a solitary life in a humble hut beneath a banyan tree. As he matured, the Jade Emperor sent angels to teach him martial arts and magical powers.

One day, Thạch Sanh met Lí Thông, a cunning and deceitful wine seller. Seeing how strong and talented Thạch Sanh was, Lí Thông approached him, proposing they become sworn brothers. Thạch Sanh, who had never experienced love or care, did not recognize Lí Thông's evil intentions and agreed without hesitation, moving in with him. A few days later, Lí Thông tricked Thạch Sanh into taking his place to guard a temple, intending for him to die in his stead. Thạch Sanh naively complied. At the temple, there was a dangerous demon that ate human flesh, and every year, a person had to be sacrificed. This year, it was Lí Thông's turn, but he tricked Thạch Sanh into going instead. However, using his skills, Thạch Sanh defeated the demon and brought peace to the villagers. He even found a golden bow as a reward. When he returned, bringing the demon's head, Lí Thông tricked Thạch Sanh again, leaving him to live alone under the banyan tree while he claimed the reward.

One day, while at home, Thạch Sanh saw a giant eagle flying with a young girl in its claws. Without hesitation, he shot at the eagle with his golden bow, wounding it but not killing it. He followed the trail of blood to the eagle's cave but found it too deep to descend. Just then, he encountered Lí Thông at a village festival. Knowing that Lí Thông was also searching for the kidnapped girl, Thạch Sanh joined forces with him to rescue her. After climbing down into the cave, Thạch Sanh pulled the princess up, but suddenly, the rope broke, and a large stone sealed the cave. Thạch Sanh was shocked and realized too late the true nature of Lí Thông, who had tricked him once again to steal the credit for rescuing the princess and claiming her hand in marriage.

Alone in the cave, Thạch Sanh encountered the Dragon King's son, who was trapped in a cage. After rescuing him, Thạch Sanh was invited to the underwater palace, where he was honored and treated to a feast. When he returned, the Dragon King gifted him many treasures, but Thạch Sanh only accepted a magical harp.

Back at his old hut with his new companion, the magical harp, Thạch Sanh's peaceful life was once again disrupted. The demon and the eagle's spirits sought revenge, causing him to be imprisoned. Saddened by his fate, Thạch Sanh played his harp to express his feelings. The sound of the magical music reached the royal palace and caught the princess's attention. The music healed her from a mysterious illness she had developed after being brought back to the palace by Lí Thông. The king summoned Thạch Sanh, and the truth was revealed. Lí Thông and his mother were pardoned and sent back to their village, but they were struck by lightning along the way, transforming into dung beetles. Thạch Sanh and the princess were married and lived happily together.

Upon hearing the news, the princes of the surrounding kingdoms, who had been rejected by the princess, became furious. They gathered their armies to invade. However, Thạch Sanh used the power of his harp to weaken the enemy's morale, and then used a magical pot to win a cooking contest. As a result, the enemy troops surrendered easily. Recognizing Thạch Sanh's talents and good heart, the king eventually abdicated and passed the throne to him in his old age.

The story of Thạch Sanh is not only captivating and entertaining, but it also teaches valuable lessons: those who are good-hearted will be rewarded, and evil will be punished in the end. These are the lessons our ancestors intended to pass down through this tale.

Once upon a time, in a village, there was a handsome, strong, and healthy young man. He was originally the crown prince in the heavens, sent by the Jade Emperor to be the son of a poor yet kind elderly couple. His mother carried him for years, and even after his father passed away, she was unable to give birth. When the young man finally grew up, his mother also passed away, leaving him alone. Thus, Thạch Sanh lived a solitary life in a small hut beneath a banyan tree. As he matured, he was taught martial arts and magical powers by angels, yet he continued to live simply in his old hut.

One day, he met Lí Thông, a wine merchant, who tricked him into becoming sworn brothers and moving into his house. In reality, Lí Thông exploited and mistreated him. Soon after, he deceived Thạch Sanh into taking his place to sacrifice himself to a demon at a temple. With his remarkable skills, Thạch Sanh killed the demon, bringing its head back home along with a golden bow as a reward. Upon seeing this, Lí Thông once again tricked Thạch Sanh, claiming the demon’s head as a royal trophy to steal the glory. Thạch Sanh returned to his lonely life under the banyan tree, while Lí Thông and his family lived luxuriously in the capital.

Not long after, Thạch Sanh defeated a vicious eagle and rescued a princess trapped in a deep cave. But once again, Lí Thông took the credit and even blocked the cave’s entrance to trap Thạch Sanh. This time, Thạch Sanh realized Lí Thông’s true nature. Alone in the cave, he never gave up and kept searching for another way out. During this time, he saved the Dragon King's son from a cage. As a result, he was taken out of the cave and treated to a grand feast at the underwater palace. When he left, though offered riches and treasures, he only accepted a magical harp.

Returning to his old hut beneath the banyan tree, Thạch Sanh only wished for peace, but once again, misfortune struck. The spirits of the demon and the eagle conspired against him, and he was imprisoned. With no one to share his pain and injustice, Thạch Sanh poured his heart out through his harp. Miraculously, the music cured the princess’s muteness. The king summoned Thạch Sanh to the palace, and upon seeing the princess, Thạch Sanh realized she was the girl he had saved in the cave. Upon noticing Lí Thông trembling in the corner, he pieced everything together. The truth was revealed, and the king sentenced Lí Thông and his mother to death, though Thạch Sanh pleaded for their lives, and they were exiled. However, they met their end when struck by lightning on their journey, transforming into dung beetles, doomed to live in darkness forever. Meanwhile, Thạch Sanh married the princess and became the prince consort.

At the same time, princes from eighteen neighboring kingdoms, enraged at being unable to marry the princess, gathered their armies to attack. Thạch Sanh asked the king for permission to lead the defense. Using his magical harp, Thạch Sanh caused the enemy forces to lose morale and stop fighting. Additionally, he won a cooking challenge with the magical pot that never emptied. Thus, without shedding a single drop of blood or losing a soldier, they secured victory.

Later, when the king grew old and had no sons, he entrusted the throne to Thạch Sanh, recognizing his talents and virtue.

Since ancient times, our ancestors have passed down the saying: “Good deeds will lead to good outcomes.” This saying holds true in every circumstance and every era. A prime example is the folk tale of Thạch Sanh, a story full of humanity and moral lessons. I have always been deeply moved and impressed by this story, especially by the character of Thạch Sanh.

Once upon a time, in a village in the Cao Bình district, a poor couple lived by cutting wood in the forest and trading it for rice. They were kind-hearted and always ready to help others, but strangely, they had no children. Feeling sympathy, the Jade Emperor decided to send his son, the crown prince, to be born as their child. The wife became pregnant but tragically, her husband passed away before the child was born. After the baby was born, the wife also died shortly thereafter. The boy, now an orphan, lived in an old hut under a banyan tree, and people began to call him Thạch Sanh. Every day, the boy used the axe left behind by his father to gather firewood and earn a living.

One day, Lí Thông, a young man from a wine-making family, stopped to rest under the banyan tree and met Thạch Sanh. Impressed by his strength and hardworking nature, Lí Thông saw an opportunity to exploit him. He persuaded Thạch Sanh to become sworn brothers, and Thạch Sanh, touched by the gesture, agreed to follow him home. Soon after, a terrifying demon, known for eating humans, appeared in the village, and every year, a life had to be sacrificed to keep the demon at bay. This time, Lí Thông tricked Thạch Sanh into taking his place. However, with his great strength and the axe, Thạch Sanh defeated the demon, which turned out to be a giant snake. Thạch Sanh returned home, bringing the demon's golden bow as a trophy. But Lí Thông, ever deceitful, claimed credit for killing the demon and was rewarded with a title.

As time passed, the princess reached marriageable age but had not yet found a suitable husband. The king decided to hold a grand event where princes from neighboring kingdoms and young men from across the land could participate. The princess would throw a ball from a high balcony, and whoever caught it would be the one she would marry. Meanwhile, an eagle, a monstrous creature from the mountains, swooped down and snatched the princess away. From under the banyan tree, Thạch Sanh followed the trail of blood and tracked the eagle to its lair.

The king sent Lí Thông to find the princess, promising to marry her to him and pass on the throne. Lí Thông sought Thạch Sanh’s help, and when the princess was safely rescued, Lí Thông trapped Thạch Sanh in a cave. After a fierce battle, Thạch Sanh defeated the eagle, and during this time, he also saved the son of the Dragon King. Thạch Sanh was rewarded with treasures, but he chose only a magical harp and returned to his banyan tree. However, the vengeful spirits of the demon and the eagle came back and captured Thạch Sanh, imprisoning him in a dungeon.

Since his return, the princess had been silent and sorrowful, which worried the king. When Thạch Sanh played his magical harp, the music healed the princess and restored her to her former self. The king, now fully aware of Thạch Sanh's heroism and the wickedness of Lí Thông and his mother, sentenced them to death. But Thạch Sanh, showing mercy, pardoned them and allowed them to return to their humble life. As fate would have it, they were struck by lightning on their journey and died, their souls condemned to live as dung beetles, forever dwelling in darkness. The king, without a son, eventually handed over the throne to Thạch Sanh.