Top 12 Essays Reflecting on Family Emotions During War Through "Chiếc Lược Ngà" by Nguyễn Quang Sáng

In the spiritual life of humanity, family and familial bonds are among the most sacred. Yet, war has torn apart those under one roof, forcing mothers to lose their children, wives to be separated from their husbands, and children to grow up without ever seeing their fathers. The short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà" by Nguyễn Quang Sáng captures a fragment of this sacred bond. The profound father-daughter relationship between Mr. Sáu and his daughter Thu is deeply moving, evoking empathy from readers as it unfolds against the backdrop of the anti-French resistance.

War forced Mr. Sáu's family into separation. He left to join the resistance when his firstborn daughter was less than a year old. For eight long years, he only saw her through a small photograph, and Thu knew him the same way. During a brief visit home before a new assignment, he finally met her. The moment he recognized her, he couldn't contain himself, leaping ashore before the boat even docked. Years of longing had made him impatient. He rushed to her side, calling out with a voice filled with both tenderness and pain—a call he had waited seven or eight years to make. But the lingering scars of war created an unexpected situation. When he saw his daughter, he imagined her running into his arms. Instead, life took a cruel turn. The more he reached out, the more Thu avoided him. Her silence and fear were the opposite of what he had hoped for. Mr. Sáu stood frozen, his face darkening, his arms hanging limp, and his scar burning red. He didn’t realize that Thu was frightened because his scar made him unrecognizable from the kind father in the photo with her mother. An eight-year-old child would naturally fear a stranger with a menacing scar claiming to be her father. Thu didn’t know that the scar was a mark left by war on her beloved father. The war and its bombs had torn apart the lives of Mr. Sáu and his daughter, just as it had done to countless Vietnamese families who endured sacrifices for their nation. This reality, this pain, remains unforgettable for generations of Vietnamese people.

However, no matter how brutal the war or how relentless the bombs, familial love cannot be severed. Thu’s love for her father, as seen in the photograph, was expressed in a unique way. She distanced herself, acting cold and even defiant toward Mr. Sáu during his three-day visit. Her stubbornness and apparent rudeness were, in fact, expressions of her deep love for the father she remembered from the photo—a gentle man without a scar. This was why she refused to call him "Dad." Only when she finally understood the truth, moments before his departure, did she express her feelings in a frantic, desperate manner. She screamed "Dad," a cry that shattered the silence and tore at everyone’s hearts. She had held back this call for so long, reserving it for her true father. Only at the last moment did she realize Mr. Sáu was the father she had longed for. Her cry burst from the depths of her heart, stunning everyone. She rushed to him, kissing his hair, neck, shoulders, and even the scar on his cheek. It was as if she regretted not recognizing him sooner, for her coldness and defiance toward the father she loved, all because of that "fierce scar." Yet, she was just a child, incapable of deceit. Her love for her father had always been reserved for the man in the photo with her mother. The scar of war had robbed Thu of joyful moments with her father, creating a chasm between them. Despite her defiance, her love for him remained unwavering. Now, she clung to him with all her strength, as if afraid of losing something precious. The father in the photo now seemed even more heroic with his scar. From that moment of realization, Thu began to change. She not only loved her father but also felt pride in him.

Unlike Thu’s innocent love, Mr. Sáu’s affection was quiet and enduring. He sacrificed his life to preserve an unbreakable father-daughter bond. For the nation’s struggle, for the happiness of the people, and for his beloved daughter, he endured physical pain and the loss of his youthful beauty. Returning home, he faced the emotional agony of his daughter’s rejection. His three-day visit tested his patience. Faced with her avoidance, he could only remain silent and helpless. When he could no longer bear it, he lashed out in anger, striking her. That slap filled him with regret and pain. Only in the final moments before parting did he experience the full joy of being a father. He wiped away tears as Thu frantically expressed her love. But that moment was fleeting, as war soon separated them again. Away from his daughter, during his days on the battlefield, he poured his longing into crafting a comb, engraving it with the words "With love, to Thu from your father." Even as death approached, he used his last strength to ask a comrade to deliver the comb to Thu. That final gaze imprinted itself on his friend’s heart, a testament to the immortality of a father’s love.

Beyond the father-daughter bond, Nguyễn Quang Sáng also vividly portrays the love between husband and wife during wartime. Over the years of Mr. Sáu’s resistance efforts, the couple met only a handful of times, each visit brief and fraught with difficulty. Yet, Mrs. Sáu braved long, dangerous journeys to see her husband. When he returned home on leave, she cared for him meticulously, packing his belongings and folding his clothes. War may have separated them physically, but it could not divide their hearts.

The grandmother-granddaughter relationship also plays a significant role. Thu’s grandmother, whom she trusted most, explained the origin of the scar on her father’s face. This understanding allowed Thu to finally accept her father. The grandmother was a pillar of emotional support in Thu’s life.

Through intricate situations and complex character emotions, Nguyễn Quang Sáng’s masterful storytelling moves readers with the profound bond between Mr. Sáu and his daughter. The story reminds us that while war can destroy lives and bury bodies, it can never extinguish the sacred love of family.

Writing about the lives and struggles of our soldiers and people has been a top priority in wartime literature. We can take pride in the fact that our nation’s literature has produced outstanding works that deeply reflect the resilient and indomitable spirit of our fighters. Writers have closely followed the realities of war, promptly uncovering and celebrating heroic figures who bravely fought and sacrificed for the country. Alongside this, some authors have carved out a new direction, focusing their pens on touching everyday stories that are no less intense. Nguyễn Quang Sáng’s short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà" takes a gentle, heartfelt approach, delving into family emotions during wartime and uncovering revolutionary values with profound respect.

Mr. Sáu left home to join the resistance. It wasn’t until his daughter turned eight that he had the chance to return home and see her. Thu, his daughter, didn’t recognize him because of the scar on his face, which made him look different from the father she knew from the photograph she saw daily. By the time Thu finally recognized him, the bond between father and daughter awakened fiercely, but it was also the moment Mr. Sáu had to return to the base.

In writing "Chiếc Lược Ngà," Nguyễn Quang Sáng doesn’t focus much on the war itself. Instead, he directs his pen toward family emotions and the psychological shifts in characters like Mr. Sáu and Thu. This was a significant challenge for the author—how to balance the collective and the individual, the duty to fight and the responsibility to family.

The longing to reunite with his daughter after years of separation became a powerful force driving Mr. Sáu to return home quickly. When he saw her, he leaped ashore before the boat even docked, causing it to sway. The father called out to his daughter with all his longing: "Thu! My child!" He reached out, overwhelmed by emotion. But reality was harsh. The story’s tension arises from this moment—Thu was completely indifferent. She was confused, scared, and ran away, startled by the suddenness of the situation. Mr. Sáu, too, was left bewildered. His love and anticipation were met with rejection, leaving him frozen, his face darkening in pain, his arms hanging limp.

Was life testing him? Was fate playing a cruel joke? With the resilience of a soldier, he overcame his initial disappointment, never doubting his love. During his days at home, he tried to get closer to Thu, seeking to understand why she didn’t recognize him. But her coldness pained him deeply. The more he reached out, the more she pushed him away. He longed to hear her call him "Dad," but she never did. He suffered silently, only able to smile faintly and shake his head, "too heartbroken to cry." His leave was ending, and the war was still raging. The battlefield awaited his return. The author masterfully portrays Mr. Sáu’s inner turmoil with deep empathy. His situation mirrors that of countless soldiers on the frontlines, who fought day and night while keeping their family bonds alive, yearning for reunion. On the day of departure, seeing Thu standing in the corner, he wanted to hug and kiss her but feared she would run away again. He could only gaze at her with eyes full of love and sorrow. His overwhelming love brought tears to his eyes. When she finally called out "Dad," he was moved to tears—a moment he had longed for. These were tears of happiness, a father’s joy, a soldier’s relief. Being with family, loving and sharing that love, is a fundamental human right. War had torn them apart, creating cruel, bittersweet ironies.

The tears of happiness mingled with endless sorrow. Mr. Sáu understood that the moment Thu recognized him and expressed her deepest love was also the moment they had to part. His love for her was further revealed during his time at the base. Away from her, he was haunted by regret for having struck her in a moment of frustration. Her parting words inspired him to carve a comb for her. He poured all his love and longing into crafting it, meticulously shaping each tooth, making it beautiful. Every stroke of the knife was a testament to his love. Often, when missing her, he would take out the comb and run it through his hair, polishing it until it gleamed. The comb became a sacred object to him, easing his guilt and holding all his affection, longing, and hope for his distant daughter. The ivory comb symbolized the crystallization of sacred fatherly love.

Thu, too, expressed her love for her father in a unique way. She distanced herself, acting cold and even defiant toward Mr. Sáu during his three-day visit. Her stubbornness and apparent rudeness were, in fact, expressions of her deep love for the father she remembered from the photo—a gentle man without a scar. This was why she refused to call him "Dad." Only when she finally understood the truth, moments before his departure, did she express her feelings in a frantic, desperate manner. She screamed "Dad," a cry that shattered the silence and tore at everyone’s hearts. She had held back this call for so long, reserving it for her true father. Only at the last moment did she realize Mr. Sáu was the father she had longed for. Her cry burst from the depths of her heart, stunning everyone. She rushed to him, kissing his hair, neck, shoulders, and even the scar on his cheek. It was as if she regretted not recognizing him sooner, for her coldness and defiance toward the father she loved, all because of that "fierce scar." Yet, she was just a child, incapable of deceit. Her love for her father had always been reserved for the man in the photo with her mother. The scar of war had robbed Thu of joyful moments with her father, creating a chasm between them. Despite her defiance, her love for him remained unwavering. Now, she clung to him with all her strength, as if afraid of losing something precious. The father in the photo now seemed even more heroic with his scar.

Beyond the father-daughter bond, Nguyễn Quang Sáng also vividly portrays the love between husband and wife during wartime. Over the years of Mr. Sáu’s resistance efforts, the couple met only a handful of times, each visit brief and fraught with difficulty. Yet, Mrs. Sáu braved long, dangerous journeys to see her husband. When he returned home on leave, she cared for him meticulously, packing his belongings and folding his clothes. War may have separated them physically, but it could not divide their hearts.

The grandmother-granddaughter relationship also plays a significant role. Thu’s grandmother, whom she trusted most, explained the origin of the scar on her father’s face. This understanding allowed Thu to finally accept her father. The grandmother was a pillar of emotional support in Thu’s life.

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" movingly portrays the deep, profound, and beautiful bond between Mr. Sáu and his daughter amidst the cruel twists of war. The story also prompts readers to reflect on the losses and sorrows inflicted by war on countless individuals and families in Vietnam.

It is said: "Beautiful emotions are powerful motivators in the soul of every person." Out of love for her father, an eight-year-old girl stubbornly refuses to acknowledge another man as her dad, even when punished. Driven by love for his child, a soldier, far from home, painstakingly crafts an ivory comb to gift his beloved daughter. Some argue that "paternal love cannot be as warm and beautiful as maternal love." However, after reading Nguyễn Quang Sáng’s short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà," readers will feel entirely differently.

The story revolves around the reunion of Thu and her father, Mr. Sáu. When Mr. Sáu left to fight in the resistance against the French, Thu was less than a year old. By the time he returned home, she was eight. Yet, Thu refused to recognize him because the scar on his face made him look different from the man in the photo with her mother. During his three-day visit, Mr. Sáu tried everything to get close to her, but she never called him "Dad." It was only when Thu finally recognized him that Mr. Sáu had to leave. He promised to bring her an ivory comb. During his days in the jungle, he meticulously crafted the comb for his daughter. Before he could deliver it, he was killed in action. With his last breath, he handed the comb to a comrade, asking them to pass it on to his daughter.

Thu is the central character of the story, portrayed with remarkable subtlety and depth. She is a strong-willed, stubborn, and courageous little girl. Thu leaves a lasting impression on readers with her seemingly unyielding defiance, refusing to call Mr. Sáu "Dad" in any situation, even when he offers her food. Nguyễn Quang Sáng skillfully constructs scenarios that test Thu’s character, but what surprises readers is her unwavering consistency. Whether threatened by her mother or punished by Mr. Sáu, Thu remains resolute in not uttering the word "Dad." Some may argue that the author exaggerated Thu’s personality, but her defiance is a beautiful expression of her love for her father. In Thu’s mind, there is only one image of her father—the man in the photo with her mother. That man doesn’t resemble Mr. Sáu, not because time has aged him, but because of the scar on his face. The scar, a mark of war, has distorted his appearance. Perhaps, in the harsh reality of war, Thu is too young to understand the brutality of bombs and bullets or the hardships of a soldier’s life. Her defiance isn’t mere childish stubbornness but a reflection of her strong, unyielding character, hinting at the resilience she would later show as a liberation liaison.

Yet, despite her stubbornness and courage, Thu is still an eight-year-old child, embodying the innocence and naivety of youth. The author demonstrates a deep understanding of child psychology, portraying Thu’s emotions with love and respect. When her father punishes her, Thu "picks up the egg with her chopsticks, puts it back in her bowl, and silently stands up, leaving the table." Is she afraid Mr. Sáu will see her tears? Or does she vaguely sense her own fault? Her subsequent actions—"going down to the dock, jumping into the boat, loosening the rope, making loud noises, and rowing across the river"—reveal a child’s desire for attention. Perhaps she wants her family to notice her departure and comfort her. There’s a contrast in Thu’s actions: on one hand, she is strong-willed; on the other, she yearns for affection. Yet, when her mother tries to coax her back, Thu remains stubborn, showcasing a child’s obstinacy. In the final scene, when Thu finally recognizes her father, it’s undeniable that she is a deeply emotional child. The love she has harbored for her father all these years surfaces at the moment of their farewell. Who would have thought that a girl who hadn’t seen her father since she was one could nurture such enduring and intense love? Despite never being held, cuddled, or cared for by him, Thu has imagined her father as a strong, tall man with arms wide enough to embrace her. War may have passed, but its scars remain, reminding us of its cruelty and the devastation it brings to families.

Alongside the father-daughter bond, the grandmother-granddaughter relationship, though briefly mentioned, plays a crucial role. Thu often confides in her grandmother after being scolded by her mother. The grandmother is the only one who knows why Thu refuses to acknowledge her father. This shows Thu’s deep trust in her grandmother. It is also the grandmother who explains the origin of the scar on her father’s face, helping Thu finally recognize him before it’s too late. The grandmother is a vital emotional pillar in Thu’s life and a bridge between her and her father.

Additionally, the unwavering love between Mr. Sáu and his wife is portrayed in the story, completing the picture of family emotions in "Chiếc Lược Ngà." Throughout the years of Mr. Sáu’s resistance efforts, the couple met only a few times, each visit brief and fraught with difficulty. Yet, Mrs. Sáu braved long, dangerous journeys to see her husband. When Mr. Sáu returned home on leave, she cared for him meticulously, packing his belongings and folding his clothes. Mr. Sáu, too, during his days on the battlefield, constantly thought of his wife and daughter, longing for the day they could reunite.

Reading "Chiếc Lược Ngà," we witness the depth of a father’s love after years of separation, a love that has touched countless hearts through this poignant work.

We live in a peaceful country, nurtured and loved by our parents, enjoying laughter and songs under the roofs of our schools. Can we ever forget the heroic pages of history, when our forefathers sacrificed their lives? War is a realm of sorrow and death. Amidst the rain of bombs and bullets, amidst the acrid smell of gunpowder, the noblest feelings of comradeship and brotherhood surge. The hidden sorrows of fathers leaving for battle, leaving behind their beloved children in their homeland, can no longer be concealed during the rare moments of respite. This sacred emotion is even more intense in Nguyễn Quang Sáng's work "Chiếc Lược Ngà."

Nguyễn Quang Sáng, born in 1932 in Chợ Mới district, An Giang province, has written numerous works across various genres. His short stories include "Con Chim Vàng," "Người Quê Hương," "Chiếc Lược Ngà," "Người Đàn Bà Đức Hạnh," and "Vẽ Lại Bức Tranh Xưa." "Chiếc Lược Ngà" is a touching short story about paternal love, written in 1966 while the author was active in the Southern battlefield and later included in a collection of the same name. One of the prominent themes in the story is family emotions during wartime.

Perhaps, paternal love is the most prominent emotion in the story. Thu, the daughter, does not recognize her father and instead treats him coldly, even rudely at times. This pains Mr. Sáu, but he still loves her with the deep affection of a father. After a few short days of family reunion, Mr. Sáu must leave. At that moment, Thu suddenly changes her attitude. She clings tightly to her father, unwilling to let him go. Everyone is stunned. It turns out that in the previous days, seeing the large scar on Mr. Sáu's face, Thu thought he didn't resemble the father in the photo with her mother. Thanks to her grandmother's explanation, Thu finally understands and calls out, "Dad... Dad!" and asks him to buy her a comb. At the base, Mr. Sáu pours all his love and longing into crafting an ivory comb for his beloved daughter. But in a battle, he falls. Before closing his eyes, he manages to hand the comb to a comrade to deliver to his daughter.

The separation from his daughter since she was a child fills Mr. Sáu with intense longing. This longing becomes a burning desire, so every time his wife visits, he asks, "Why didn't you bring the child along?" Unable to see his daughter, he settles for looking at her photo. Then, his wish comes true. Mr. Sáu gets a leave. On the day he returns home, he is restless on the boat. He thinks about his daughter, imagining their reunion. These thoughts consume him, making him unaware of his surroundings. When the boat docks, he leaps ashore.

His friend understands him and doesn't blame him. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mr. Sáu acts in ways even his friend didn't expect—his voice trembling, he stretches out his arms to embrace his daughter and takes long strides toward her. He expects her to run into his arms, but instead, she screams, "Mom... Mom!" and runs away. Why does Thu act this way? She loves her father dearly. She has been waiting for him day and night. Yet, everything turns out the opposite. Her father is really here, why doesn't she recognize him? Her actions leave him stunned. All the love and anticipation he had bottled up seem to vanish, leaving only boundless pain. This pain torments him throughout his three days at home. During these days, Mr. Sáu stays close, playing with his daughter. He wants to compensate for the emotional loss with his words and actions. It seems he hopes that with affectionate gestures and loving words, he can dispel her doubts and melt her coldness. When her mother tells her to call her father for dinner, she says bluntly, "Come eat!" Her words strike his heart, but he pretends not to hear, waiting for her to say, "Dad, come eat." Yet, Thu remains stubborn, refusing to call him "Dad," and even says irritably, "The rice is done!" and "I called, but no one listened." At this point, he can only "look at her, gently shake his head, and smile. Perhaps, because he is too heartbroken to cry, he can only smile." The story reaches its climax when the rice pot boils over. Being too small to lift the pot and drain the water, she has to ask for help from an adult.

The situation makes readers think Thu will finally call out to her father, but she doesn't. Her coldness and stubbornness seem to hurt the intense emotions surging in Mr. Sáu's heart. During the meal, out of affection, he picks up a piece of fish for her, but she unexpectedly flings it out of her bowl. Angered, he slaps her and scolds her. But when we understand, we realize that this seemingly hateful action is incredibly precious. Her defiance is a beautiful expression of a child's love for her father. Simply because, in her innocent memory, her father is beautiful. The image of her beloved father in the photo, the father she deeply admires, only merges with the man with the long scar at that moment. Once she understands, her love for her father multiplies. Before Mr. Sáu leaves, this sacred emotion suddenly flares up. As he prepares to leave, his feet hesitate. He wants to hug and kiss her but fears she might struggle and run away, so he just stands there, looking at her with loving, sorrowful eyes. In his gaze, there is all the love he wants to give her, and he simply says, "Dad is leaving, okay?" Then, she suddenly runs to him, crying out, "Dad... Dad!" Her cry, like a tear, rips through the silence and everyone's hearts, sounding so sorrowful. It is a cry that bursts out after years of suppression and longing. It is also the word "Dad" that Mr. Sáu has been waiting for during the eight years away from his daughter, waiting for during the few days by her side: "She hugs his neck tightly, crying, 'Dad... Dad... don't go away again, stay home with me.'" Thu kisses the long scar on his cheek, showing the intense love of a child for her father. And when Mr. Sáu says, "Dad will come back to you," she screams, "No!" and clings to him, her small shoulders trembling!

Mr. Sáu's love for Thu becomes even more intense, noble, sacred, and moving when he personally crafts an ivory comb for his daughter. "Dad, buy me a comb, okay?" This is the simple wish of a little girl as her father leaves. But for him, it is the first and only wish, so it keeps urging him in his heart. Finding a comb for his daughter becomes his duty, a plea of paternal love in his heart. He suddenly has a brilliant idea: to make a comb from ivory. Perhaps it's not just because, in the jungle of the war zone, he can't buy a comb, so making one from ivory is a way to overcome the difficulty. But more than that, deeper than that, ivory is precious—the comb for his daughter must be made of something precious. And he doesn't want to buy it; he wants to make it himself. He will pour all his paternal love into it. When he finds the ivory, his face "lights up like a child receiving a gift." Indeed, when one becomes childlike again, it is when one truly embodies the noble role of a father. Then, he "saws each tooth of the comb, carefully and meticulously, like a silversmith," and "bends over, painstakingly engraving each word: 'With love, to Thu from your father.'" He often "takes out the comb to admire it, then polishes it on his hair to make it shinier and smoother." His love for his daughter transforms the soldier into an artist—an artist who creates only one masterpiece in his life, so the ivory comb crystallizes within it a paternal love that is simple yet profound, ordinary yet miraculous!

Alongside the sacred paternal love, the grandmother-granddaughter relationship, though briefly mentioned, plays a crucial role. The grandmother is the one Thu often confides in after being scolded by her mother. She is also the only one who knows why Thu doesn't recognize her father. This shows Thu's deep trust in her grandmother. It is also the grandmother who explains the origin of the scar on her father's face, helping Thu finally recognize him before it's too late. The grandmother is a vital emotional pillar in Thu's life and a bridge between her and her father. The love between husband and wife during wartime is also portrayed by Nguyễn Quang Sáng. Throughout the years of Mr. Sáu's resistance efforts, the couple met only a few times, each visit brief and fraught with difficulty. Yet, Mrs. Sáu braved long, dangerous journeys to see her husband. When Mr. Sáu returned home on leave, she cared for him meticulously, packing his belongings and folding his clothes. War may have separated them physically, but it could not divide their hearts.

Thus, the author builds a complete world of family emotions in the short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà." No matter how brutal the war, it cannot destroy this sacred bond.

Vietnamese literature from 1945 to 1975 was deeply intertwined with the revolutionary cause and the fate of the nation. Writers and poets created many beautiful images of Vietnamese people in battle, especially their emotional lives. "Chiếc Lược Ngà" is an outstanding short story by Nguyễn Quang Sáng, a moving ballad about fatherly love and the pain of war inflicted by the enemy on families during the anti-American resistance.

Nguyễn Quang Sáng wrote this story based on a tale told by a young liaison comrade. It revolves around Mr. Sáu, a Southern farmer with a deep love for his country. He participated in both the anti-French and anti-American resistance and tragically sacrificed his life. He left to fight in 1946 and only returned home briefly after the 1954 peace agreement. When he left, his daughter was less than a year old. By the time he returned, she was eight. Years of longing and sorrow overwhelmed him when he finally saw his child.

Father and daughter reunited after eight years apart. But ironically, Thu did not recognize her father. By the time she did, their bond had grown strong, but Mr. Sáu had to leave again. Overjoyed to see his daughter after so many years, Mr. Sáu couldn't contain his emotions. Yet, Thu responded with suspicion and avoidance. The more he tried to get close, the more she distanced herself, even rejecting him outright.

Thu's psychological state and attitude are vividly portrayed through a series of details observed and recounted by the narrator. When Mr. Sáu called her, she turned pale, panicked, and ran to call her mother. When her mother told her to call her father for dinner, she addressed him bluntly, refusing to call him "Dad." When she was tasked with watching the rice pot, she adamantly refused his help to drain the boiling water. Her defiance peaked when she flung away the fish egg he offered her. Finally, when Mr. Sáu angrily slapped her, she ran to her grandmother's house. As she left, she deliberately made loud noises with the boat's rope. All of this left Mr. Sáu feeling deeply disappointed.

Thu's stubbornness is entirely understandable. In the harsh and unpredictable circumstances of war, she was too young to comprehend the complexities of life. The adults hadn't prepared her for such unusual situations. Thus, she couldn't believe Mr. Sáu was her father because of the scar on his face, which made him look different from the father she knew.

Her psychological reaction is entirely natural. It also shows her strong personality and deep, genuine love for her father. Thu is still a child, embodying the innocence and naivety of youth. On the final morning, before Mr. Sáu had to leave, her attitude and actions changed abruptly. For the first time, she called out "Dad" with deep affection. Then she rushed to hug him, covering him with kisses.

This sudden change in Thu is explained by the author. During the night at her grandmother's, she was given an explanation. Her long-held doubts were resolved. Thus, at the moment of parting, her suppressed love and longing burst forth powerfully, mixed with regret for her earlier actions.

Upon returning, Mr. Sáu's greatest wish was to see his daughter again. But when Thu ran away, he was heartbroken. During his three-day leave, the more he tried to get close, the colder and more distant she became. Her rudeness caused him immense pain. Her defiance and stubbornness pushed him to lose his temper and slap her. After hitting her, he felt remorse and sorrow. He realized he had failed his daughter, making her wait too long. He tried to understand why she wouldn't call him "Dad" but was left helpless.

When Thu finally recognized him, he was overjoyed. His emotions brought him to tears. He was determined to fulfill his promise to her. So, while in the war zone, when he found a piece of ivory, he was as happy as "a child receiving a gift." He poured all his energy into crafting the comb. The ivory comb became a precious, sacred object to him. It eased his guilt and held all his love, longing, and hope for his distant daughter. But another tragedy struck. During an enemy raid, he was killed before he could hand the comb to his daughter.

Family emotions during wartime are fraught with hardship and complexity but are profoundly intense. In war, when the line between life and death is thin, love becomes a spiritual anchor and a reason to live. In war, people may lose everything—their lives, comrades, loved ones—but family bonds endure in their sacred nobility. Deep family ties, intertwined with love for the country, become even more beautiful. Vietnamese people during the war, though ordinary, were remarkably noble. The story of Mr. Sáu's family is a microcosm of many Vietnamese families who endured separation and the wounds of war. Nguyễn Quang Sáng has written a true story of the nation during the anti-American resistance.

The author constructs a tightly woven plot with unexpected yet plausible elements. The story is narrated by Mr. Sáu's friend, who witnessed the poignant moments between father and daughter and recounts them with empathy and shared emotion. The writer demonstrates a deep understanding of child psychology, portraying children's emotions with love and respect.

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" not only movingly depicts the deep, intimate bond between Mr. Sáu and his daughter amid the cruel twists of war but also prompts readers to reflect on the pain, loss, and hardships inflicted by war on countless individuals and families.

We live in a peaceful country, nurtured and loved by our parents, enjoying laughter and songs under the roofs of our schools. Can we ever forget the heroic pages of history, when our forefathers sacrificed their lives? Their blood has enriched the land, and their sacrifices have given us the life we enjoy today. They sacrificed their bodies and spirits, even the happiness they deserved. War is a realm of sorrow and death. Amidst the rain of bombs and bullets, amidst the acrid smell of gunpowder, the noblest feelings of comradeship and brotherhood surge. The hidden sorrows of fathers leaving for battle, leaving behind their beloved children in their homeland, can no longer be concealed during the rare moments of respite. This sacred emotion is even more intense in Nguyễn Quang Sáng's work "Chiếc Lược Ngà."

Nguyễn Quang Sáng, born in 1932 in Chợ Mới district, An Giang province, joined the army during the anti-French resistance and operated in the Southern battlefield. After 1945, he moved to the North and began writing. During the anti-American war, he returned to the South to continue fighting and writing. His works span various genres: short stories like "Con Chim Vàng," "Người Quê Hương," "Chiếc Lược Ngà," "Người Đàn Bà Đức Hạnh," and "Vẽ Lại Bức Tranh Xưa"; novels like "Đất Lửa," "Mùa Gió Chướng," and "Dòng Sông Thơ Ấu"; and the famous screenplay "Một Thời Để Nhớ Một Thời Để Yêu." Born and raised in the Southern battlefield, his works primarily depict the lives and people of the South during and after the wars.

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" by Nguyễn Quang Sáng is a short story about the profound father-daughter bond between Mr. Sáu and his daughter after the war. It is a simple yet surprising story, typical of Nguyễn Quang Sáng's style. The excerpt in the textbook captures a brief moment that reveals the sacredness of paternal love.

Written in 1966 while the author was active in the Southern battlefield, "Chiếc Lược Ngà" was included in a collection of the same name. The textbook excerpt depicts the reunion of Mr. Sáu, a soldier who left home to fight, and his daughter Thu, who was less than a year old when he left. By the time he returned, she was eight. Thu did not recognize her father and treated him coldly, even rudely at times. This pained Mr. Sáu, but he still loved her deeply. After a few short days of family reunion, Mr. Sáu had to leave. At that moment, Thu suddenly changed her attitude. She clung tightly to her father, unwilling to let him go. Everyone was stunned. It turned out that in the previous days, seeing the large scar on Mr. Sáu's face, Thu thought he didn't resemble the father in the photo with her mother. Thanks to her grandmother's explanation, Thu finally understood and called out, "Dad... Dad!" and asked him to buy her a comb. At the base, Mr. Sáu poured all his love and longing into crafting an ivory comb for his beloved daughter. But in a battle, he fell. Before closing his eyes, he managed to hand the comb to a comrade to deliver to his daughter. The story is narrated by Mr. Ba, who witnessed the poignant moments between father and daughter. Though the theme is common in literature, the story's humanistic value is profound.

The story revolves around a simple yet priceless keepsake: the ivory comb. Throughout the story, throughout their lives, there is only one cry, one simple yet sacred cry: "Dad!" The story "Chiếc Lược Ngà" movingly recounts the reunion and emotions of Mr. Sáu and his daughter. Mr. Sáu's image leaves readers with deep sympathy, affection, and lasting impressions.

Like many others, Mr. Sáu answered the call of his homeland and went to fight, leaving behind his wife and beloved daughter. The separation only intensified his longing for his daughter, who was less than a year old when he left. This longing became a burning desire, so every time his wife visited, he asked, "Why didn't you bring the child along?" Unable to see his daughter, he settled for looking at her photo. Though the photo was old and torn, he treasured it like a precious relic. As for Thu, from a young age until she was eight, she only knew her father through the photo and stories from her grandmother and mother. Though loved by everyone, she felt the absence of her father's love and protection. She must have waited for him day and night. The eight long years only deepened the longing in both father and daughter.

Then, his wish came true. Mr. Sáu got a leave. On the day he returned home, he was restless on the boat. He thought about his daughter, imagining their reunion. These thoughts consumed him, making him unaware of his surroundings. When the boat docked, he leaped ashore. His friend understood him and didn't blame him. I will never forget the sacred and monumental moment for Mr. Sáu, the moment a father awaited his child running into his arms, the moment of return after so long apart...

Overwhelmed with emotion, Mr. Sáu acted in ways even his friend didn't expect—his voice trembling, he stretched out his arms to embrace his daughter and took long strides toward her. He expected her to run into his arms, but instead, she screamed, "Mom... Mom!" and ran away. Why does Thu act this way? She loves her father dearly. She has been waiting for him day and night. Yet, everything turns out the opposite. Her father is really here, why doesn't she recognize him? Her actions leave him stunned. All the love and anticipation he had bottled up seem to vanish, leaving only boundless pain.

This pain tormented him throughout his three days at home. During these days, Mr. Sáu stayed close, playing with his daughter. He wanted to compensate for the emotional loss with his words and actions. It seems he hoped that with affectionate gestures and loving words, he could dispel her doubts and melt her coldness. When her mother told her to call her father for dinner, she said bluntly, "Come eat!" Her words struck his heart, but he pretended not to hear, waiting for her to say, "Dad, come eat." Yet, Thu remained stubborn, refusing to call him "Dad," and even said irritably, "The rice is done!" and "I called, but no one listened." At this point, he could only "look at her, gently shake his head, and smile. Perhaps, because he is too heartbroken to cry, he can only smile." I briefly thought about his feelings and the questions swirling around him. Why is this happening? Why is Thu acting this way? Her father is here, why doesn't she recognize him? Watching her, I felt she was defiant, refusing to call him "Dad." This attitude is not right for a father and daughter separated for so long. Is she angry with him for some reason?

The story reaches its climax when the rice pot boils over. Being too small to lift the pot and drain the water, she has to ask for help from an adult. The situation makes readers think Thu will finally call out to her father, but she doesn't. Her coldness and stubbornness seem to hurt the intense emotions surging in Mr. Sáu's heart. During the meal, out of affection, he picked up a piece of fish for her, but she unexpectedly flung it out of her bowl. Angered, he slapped her and scolded her. But when we understand, we realize that this seemingly hateful action is incredibly precious. Her defiance is a beautiful expression of a child's love for her father. Simply because, in her innocent memory, her father is beautiful. The image of her beloved father in the photo, the father she deeply admires, only merges with the man with the long scar at that moment. Once she understands, her love for her father multiplies. Before Mr. Sáu leaves, this sacred emotion suddenly flares up. As he prepares to leave, his feet hesitate. He wants to hug and kiss her but fears she might struggle and run away, so he just stands there, looking at her with loving, sorrowful eyes. In his gaze, there is all the love he wants to give her, and he simply says, "Dad is leaving, okay?" Then, she suddenly runs to him, crying out, "Dad... Dad!" Her cry, like a tear, rips through the silence and everyone's hearts, sounding so sorrowful. It is a cry that bursts out after years of suppression and longing. It is also the word "Dad" that Mr. Sáu has been waiting for during the eight years away from his daughter, waiting for during the few days by her side: "She hugs his neck tightly, crying, 'Dad... Dad... don't go away again, stay home with me.'" Thu kisses the long scar on his cheek, showing the intense love of a child for her father. And when Mr. Sáu says, "Dad will come back to you," she screams, "No!" and clings to him, her small shoulders trembling!

Mr. Sáu's love for Thu becomes even more intense, noble, sacred, and moving when he personally crafts an ivory comb for his daughter. "Dad, buy me a comb, okay?" This is the simple wish of a little girl as her father leaves. But for him, it is the first and only wish, so it keeps urging him in his heart. Finding a comb for his daughter becomes his duty, a plea of paternal love in his heart. He suddenly has a brilliant idea: to make a comb from ivory. Perhaps it's not just because, in the jungle of the war zone, he can't buy a comb, so making one from ivory is a way to overcome the difficulty. But more than that, deeper than that, ivory is precious—the comb for his daughter must be made of something precious. And he doesn't want to buy it; he wants to make it himself. He will pour all his paternal love into it. When he finds the ivory, his face "lights up like a child receiving a gift." Indeed, when one becomes childlike again, it is when one truly embodies the noble role of a father. Then, he "saws each tooth of the comb, carefully and meticulously, like a silversmith," and "bends over, painstakingly engraving each word: 'With love, to Thu from your father.'" He often "takes out the comb to admire it, then polishes it on his hair to make it shinier and smoother." His love for his daughter transforms the soldier into an artist—an artist who creates only one masterpiece in his life, so the ivory comb crystallizes within it a paternal love that is simple yet profound, ordinary yet miraculous!

But that day will never come. Before he could deliver the comb to his daughter, Mr. Sáu was killed in a major battle. Yet, "it seems that only paternal love is immortal." With his last strength, he could only do one thing: "reach into his pocket, pull out the comb," and hand it to his closest comrade, gazing at him for a long time. This silent plea is more sacred than any will, for it is a trust, a final wish of a dear friend, the wish of paternal love! From that moment, the ivory comb of paternal love turned his comrade into a father—a second father for Thu.

My friends! In those dark days, the living had to live in secrecy, and the dead had to die in secrecy. His grave could not be raised high, for if the enemy found it, they would dig it up and trace the clues. So, his grave was flat, level with the forest floor. Mr. Ba, his friend, carved a mark on a tree near where he lay to remember the spot. To live and die like this—how could one endure? We had to take up arms. And Thu was no longer the little girl of the past but a brave and intelligent liaison officer. She followed the path her father had chosen. She fought to avenge her homeland and her father, who had been killed by the enemy.

Though Mr. Sáu has passed, the story of him and his daughter will live on. The image of the ivory comb with its engraved words will forever be a keepsake, a witness to the pain and tragedy of war. Thank you, Nguyễn Quang Sáng, for vividly portraying the souls and emotions of Mr. Sáu and Thu. The story leads readers to follow the fate and courage, the hearts of a soldier and his daughter, spanning decades through two wars. Some live, some die, but the keepsake, the link between loss and existence, the ivory comb, remains. This is proof to us that "the greatest loss the short story addresses is the departed, the family home no longer whole in reality. It is the crime, the pain, the loss caused by the war of aggression waged by brutal generations against us. Yet, what we see is that there is no despair; the power of hatred has turned Thu into a brave, intelligent soldier, binding the lives of people with losses closer together to rise and continue writing the song of victory.

Closing the book, parting with Mr. Ba, the story of "Chiếc Lược Ngà" with his final words—a warm, calm voice—resonates in us, like the echo of a fairy tale. This modern fairy tale succeeds in creating plot situations, depicting psychology, character emotions, and a gentle, touching narrative voice. Mr. Ba, the narrator—or is it Nguyễn Quang Sáng himself? Only someone who has lived fully for the homeland's resistance, deeply connected to the people of his homeland, rich in sentiment, kind yet resilient, indomitable, and immortal, could enter the characters, create vivid, surprising images and details, and achieve such a simple yet moving voice. At the same time, the story revives the era of national defense, through which the author wants readers to reflect and deeply feel the pain and loss brought by war.

The profound father-daughter bond between Mr. Sáu and Thu transcends the bombs and bullets of war to become increasingly sacred, shining, and closely tied to love for the homeland. Through the lives of the characters, from Thu to Mr. Sáu and Mr. Ba, Nguyễn Quang Sáng seems to say that in our nation's arduous resistance against foreign invaders, the sentiments of the Vietnamese people, especially paternal love, comradeship, the bond between generations, the living and the dead... are immortal. Like the ivory comb her father left, which can never be lost, Thu's love for her father will also be immortal!

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" is an outstanding work by Nguyễn Quang Sáng, deeply moving in its portrayal of war. Mr. Sáu and his daughter Thu are characters filled with affection, torn apart by the war.

Throughout the short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà," the central theme is the deeply touching father-daughter relationship. The story revolves around Mr. Sáu, a revolutionary soldier separated from his family due to the war. He joined the resistance when his daughter was just one year old. The endless war kept him from seeing his child. Once, after being injured, Mr. Sáu nearly lost his life but survived with a large scar on his face.

Mr. Sáu was granted leave to visit his daughter for three days, a rare opportunity he eagerly anticipated. As soon as the boat docked, he rushed ashore and headed home. Upon seeing Thu, he immediately embraced her. However, Thu pushed him away and ran off. Her reaction is understandable, as any child would be startled by a stranger hugging them. Thu didn't recognize Mr. Sáu because she only knew her father from old wedding photos. The photo of Mr. Sáu was taken over a decade ago, when he was young and unscarred, making it impossible for Thu to recognize him. When she pushed him away, she didn't realize it was the embrace of the father she had longed for.

While Mr. Sáu longed to be close to his daughter, Thu kept her distance. During his time at home, he tried to make up for the years apart, but Thu remained aloof. Even when her mother asked her to call him for meals, she would only say, "Come eat," without addressing him as "Dad." Though outwardly cold, Thu was deeply emotional inside, despite her tough exterior. Her coldness stemmed from her refusal to let a stranger replace her father, not realizing that he was the father she had been waiting for. Eventually, her grandmother explained the scar on her father's face. Overwhelmed with emotion, Thu hugged her father and cried when he had to return to the battlefield. The suppressed feelings of longing finally burst forth, leaving everyone emotional.

Through the short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà," Nguyễn Quang Sáng exposes the crimes of the American imperialists against the Vietnamese people and celebrates family bonds during wartime, a sacred aspect of human life.

Reading Nguyễn Quang Sáng's short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà," readers cannot help but be moved by the warm and sacred father-daughter bond between Mr. Sáu and his daughter Thu. Written in 1966 during the intense anti-American resistance in the Southern battlefield, the story highlights the profound family emotions of soldiers toward their loved ones amidst the chaos of war.

Like many others, Mr. Sáu had to bid farewell to his wife and daughter to join the fight. When he left, Thu was just one year old—too young to recognize her father. Eight years later, Mr. Sáu finally had the chance to return home for a brief three-day visit. This was the moment the father-daughter bond between him and Thu was revealed.

First, we see Thu's feelings for her father. Having been separated from him since infancy, Thu only knew her father through a photo of him with her mother. This is why she rejected any man who didn't resemble that image. We understand why Thu was startled and called for her mother when Mr. Sáu called out, "Thu! My child." Throughout the three days with her father, Thu often responded bluntly, saying, "Come eat," and even flung away the fish egg he offered her—all because she saw the scar on his face, which didn't match the father in the photo. Her love for her father is further revealed when her grandmother explains the scar's origin.

Thu "sighed like an adult" when her grandmother told her the scar was from the war. She realized she had treated her father wrongly and wanted to make amends, but by the time she understood, he had to leave. Her deep love for her father is vividly portrayed when he bids farewell to return to the base. She calls out, "Dad... Dad!" The affectionate cry bursts forth from her long-suppressed emotions. She had never called him "Dad" before, but now she finally could. She runs to hug and kiss him, "kissing his hair, neck, shoulders, and even the long scar on his face." Her love for her father is profound, and her recognition of him releases a flood of emotions.

Thu loves her father deeply, but Mr. Sáu loves her even more. During a family meal, he accidentally hit her for flinging the fish egg. But Thu didn't know how remorseful he felt upon returning to the battlefield. He regretted losing his temper and hitting her during his short three-day leave. His love for her is subtly shown through his meticulous crafting of an ivory comb: "When he found the piece of ivory, he was as happy as a child receiving a gift. He carefully sawed each tooth of the comb, working like a silversmith." For Mr. Sáu, this gift was filled with love, a way to make up for hitting her. The comb also became a keepsake he would look at whenever he missed her. Despite his deep love and care, Mr. Sáu never got to see Thu or his family again after falling in battle. Before dying, he handed the comb to his comrade, Mr. Ba, and waited for his promise to deliver it to Thu before closing his eyes. This final detail leaves readers teary-eyed, deeply moved by Mr. Sáu's love for his daughter.

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" is a meaningful story about family, particularly the father-daughter bond. We see this through the emotional shifts in Thu and the actions of both her and Mr. Sáu. Beyond that, readers feel the sacred, unbreakable bond unique to family. It awakens a deep awareness of family love while condemning the cruelty of war, which causes countless families to suffer loss and separation. Thu represents the children of the prolonged resistance era, separated from their fathers at a very young age and deprived of paternal love. Her mother becomes a resilient figure, taking on both parental roles and raising Thu alone for eight years.

Mr. Sáu, too, embodies dual images. One is the soldier bearing the brutal scars of war, wounds that never fully heal. The other is the loving father who, no matter how harsh the war, always thinks of his small family, using them as motivation to fight. Thu, her mother, and Mr. Sáu together paint a complete picture of a Vietnamese family during wartime. There is pain and loss, but their family bond remains unshaken and eternal. This is not just history; even in peacetime, family love remains the most sacred and profound emotion.

Perhaps for anyone reading Nguyễn Quang Sáng's works, the distinct Southern voice in his writing leaves a lasting impression. Without Nguyễn Quang Sáng, it would be hard to find another writer who could craft such a touching and unique story.

Nguyễn Quang Sáng is one of the most prominent writers of the anti-American resistance literature. As both a writer and a soldier, he had the opportunity to delve deeply into the lives and struggles of soldiers. However, unlike other writers, he did not focus on grand events. His pen turned to ordinary characters, yet conveyed profound revolutionary ideals.

Each of his works is a harmonious blend of the collective and the individual, of ideals and personal emotions. This is clearly seen in the short story "Chiếc Lược Ngà." Through the story of Mr. Sáu's family, the work deeply and movingly portrays the family life of soldiers during the war, which was both brutal and deeply heartfelt. Written in 1966 on the Southern battlefield during the fiercest period of the anti-American resistance, the story revolves around the family of Mr. Sáu, a revolutionary cadre.

Mr. Sáu left home to join the resistance when Thu was just one year old. It wasn't until she was eight that he had the chance to return home to visit her. Due to the scar on his face, Thu didn't recognize him as her father. Thus, she treated him like a stranger. When Thu finally recognized him, thanks to her grandmother's explanation, the father-daughter bond awakened intensely, but it was also the moment Mr. Sáu had to return to the base. The farewell scene between father and daughter at the river pier moved everyone present to tears.

At the base, Mr. Sáu poured all his love and longing for his daughter into crafting an ivory comb to gift her. During an enemy raid, he was killed. Before his final departure, he managed to hand the comb to Mr. Ba, his close comrade, asking him to deliver it to his daughter. With a gentle and heartfelt tone, Nguyễn Quang Sáng successfully portrays the bittersweet family life of soldiers during the brutal war. War brings immense pain and bitterness, wounds family bonds, and causes irreparable losses.

Because of the war, Mr. Sáu had to leave his family for the base when his daughter was less than a year old. Before she could recognize her father's face or imprint his image in her memory. The years he was away were years Thu spent longing for him. She only knew him through an old photo her mother showed her. She cherished that image in her innocent heart like a precious treasure no one could violate. Poor child, because of the war, she couldn't have a beautiful childhood with her father, couldn't have his protection, or memories of him in her life. It was a tremendous loss, enough to wound even the strongest souls.

Mr. Sáu understood this well. Leaving his wife, child, and home at such a time was incredibly difficult for him. But the war called, and he bravely set out, setting aside personal feelings for the greater cause. The years away from his daughter never stopped him from missing her. He imagined her appearance, thought of her when alone. His wife's visits to the base, where she spoke of their daughter, only deepened his longing to return and hold her, fulfilling years of separation.

War brutally separated and deprived people of their most sacred rights. They belonged together, in the warmth of family. Yet now, though close, they were far apart, only hearing but never meeting. The father-daughter bond existed only in their hearts, living within them. The husband-wife relationship was reduced to a few brief encounters over the years. The longing for reunion could almost shatter hearts and harden spirits.

And when Mr. Sáu finally had the chance to return. It's hard to imagine the joy he felt coming back to his family after years apart. He thought of many things, was overjoyed, and prepared to embrace his family with a heart full of happiness after years of longing and waiting. But life, as always, loves to challenge people. Just as he opened his arms to embrace his daughter, Thu didn't recognize him, leaving him utterly heartbroken, his heart constricted with sorrow.

At this point, readers are also startled and quickly seek answers: why is this happening? Mr. Sáu might have doubted his wife, but deep down, he didn't think so. He tried to get closer to his daughter, but the more he tried, the more she rejected him. The pain twisted his heart. The father's love was too great, but the circumstances were too harsh. He had only three days with his family.

The writer doesn't keep readers waiting long. The situation is resolved. Thanks to her grandmother, Thu understood the scar on Mr. Sáu's face. But tragically, just as father and daughter recognized each other, Mr. Sáu had to return to the base. Their bond only had a moment to blossom before they were torn apart again. Thu's heartfelt cry and choked sobs on the river pier that morning forever haunt readers, reminding them of the cruelty of war and the boundless pain and loss our nation endured.

Mr. Sáu yearned deeply for reunion with his family but never abandoned his ideals or his post. At the base, he poured all his love and longing into crafting the ivory comb. Each comb tooth held immense love and longing for his little girl. This task also eased his pain of separation. Suddenly, Mr. Sáu was killed. His love for his daughter was abruptly severed by the enemy's cruel bullet. The ivory comb became a sacred symbol connecting Mr. Sáu and Thu, bridging generations in the fight against the enemy.

War created cruel twists, staging dramas that challenged humanity. But they lived and lived nobly. Thu later became a brave liaison officer, joining the frontlines to defend the country. When she received the comb from her father's comrade, she couldn't hold back her tears. War could separate them but never kill the love within them. They lived on, heroically.

Through "Chiếc Lược Ngà," readers clearly see the brutality of war. It causes terrible wounds, damages family bonds, and cuts deep into hearts with enduring pain. The story also helps readers recognize the intense emotions of the Vietnamese people, the radiant beauty of the Vietnamese soul. No matter how brutal, war cannot destroy the family love hidden and preserved in their hearts.

"Chiếc Lược Ngà" deserves to be a heroic and moving ballad about the sacred, eternal family bond amidst the fierce war; a majestic battle hymn, shining with the revolutionary heroism of Vietnam.

Writing about the resistance, one cannot overlook the resounding success of many writers. Their works even serve as ironclad evidence of the painful yet heroic days of our nation. These works, deeply rooted in the historical events of the resistance, evoke countless associations in readers.

However, within this common direction, Nguyễn Quang Sáng has carved out a unique path. Instead of delving deeply into the resistance or detailing its pain, he focuses on family emotions during the war. A distinct element within this grand narrative is his spiritual child, "Chiếc Lược Ngà." The touching story of fatherly love during the resistance has moved countless readers to tears.

Family emotions during wartime may not have been a priority for many writers, as the focus was often on the unfolding resistance. Yet, "Chiếc Lược Ngà" stands out as a resonant note in that heroic symphony. It delves into the pain of war while echoing the voices of individuals and fates affected by the unjust war imposed on Vietnam.

The father-daughter bond between Mr. Sáu and Thu epitomizes the emotions of that turbulent era. It is a simple yet extraordinary love that bombs and bullets could not bury. Mr. Sáu left home when his daughter was still in her mother's womb, and it wasn't until she was eight that he had the chance to return. However, due to the scar on his face, Thu didn't recognize him, as he looked so different from the photo. She stubbornly refused to acknowledge him as her father.

It was only when he bid farewell to return to the battlefield that Thu finally recognized him. The father-daughter bond awakened intensely, but it was also the moment they had to part. At the base, Mr. Sáu poured his love into crafting an ivory comb for his daughter, but before it could reach her, he was killed in a major enemy raid. In his final moments, he managed to hand the comb to Mr. Ba, asking him to deliver it to his daughter.

In writing "Chiếc Lược Ngà," Nguyễn Quang Sáng does not focus on detailing family emotions during the war but instead explores the psychological shifts of the characters. Yet, he skillfully weaves in revolutionary ideals and the longing for freedom, requiring a writer with a clear vision and persuasive power.

The father's love and longing for his daughter overwhelmed him. Without waiting for the boat to dock, Mr. Sáu leaped ashore, causing the boat to sway, and called out passionately, "My child! Thu." The father, unable to contain his emotions, trembled. Yet, in response to his heartfelt call, his daughter stood bewildered, not understanding what was happening, and then ran away. The father stood frozen, his face darkening in sorrow, his arms hanging limp.

Life seemed to play cruel jokes on him. During his days at home, the more he tried to get close, the more she pushed him away. All he longed for was a single affectionate "Dad," but she never uttered it. In those moments, he could only look at her, gently shake his head, and smile, too heartbroken to cry. Eventually, overwhelmed by frustration, he struck her, only to regret it deeply afterward. The internal conflict tormented the poor father.

As his leave neared its end, despair grew, as it seemed he might never hear the word "Dad." His pain mirrored that of many soldiers at the time, who fought day and night for a grand ideal but never ceased to miss their families.

Just when it seemed the tormented father would carry his pain to the battlefield, his daughter finally gave him the sweet call he had longed for. As he bid farewell, he silently glanced at the child hiding behind the door, wanting to hug her but fearing she would run away again. He only dared to look at her from afar and said, "Dad is leaving, okay?" Unexpectedly, at that moment, Thu ran to him, calling out, "Dad." The sweetness of the moment took his breath away; it was the moment he had waited for so long. The embrace was filled with reluctance, as if the child couldn't bear to let go. Only when he promised to bring her an ivory comb did she reluctantly release him.

But that father never fulfilled his promise, as he fell forever on the battlefield amidst the rain of bullets. During a major enemy raid, Mr. Sáu was killed. In his final moments, with no strength left to speak, he silently pulled the comb from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Ba, hoping it would reach his beloved daughter. The comb, crafted with longing and regret for having struck his child, was a labor of love during moments of rest between battles. Occasionally, he would take it out to comb his hair, polishing it until it gleamed. In that moment of life and death, all pain gave way to love, to the bond between father and child. Only paternal love is immortal in the face of bullets and bombs.

We cannot deny that Mr. Sáu's story in "Chiếc Lược Ngà" is a profound tale of fatherly love, but it is also one of countless moving family stories during the war. Nguyễn Quang Sáng has created an incredibly impressive story, a shining star in the sky of resistance literature. It reflects deep human emotions and the eternal bond of family, shining brightly even in the darkest times. And it is this simple yet profound love that becomes the immortal motivation for people to fight bravely and heroically.

War. The mere mention of the word evokes deep sorrow, as it brings immense suffering to countless lives. War is brutal, tearing families apart, separating husbands from wives, fathers from children, and children from their homes. It is unforgivable, having claimed the lives and blood of so many Vietnamese sons and daughters. Yet, in a way, we must also be grateful for war, for without it, the most sacred emotions of life might never have been fully revealed: the love between couples, the camaraderie among comrades, the love for one's homeland, and, most importantly, the bond of family. Nguyễn Quang Sáng, a writer from the resistance period against the French and Americans, deeply admired this noble sentiment. He crafted a poignant story about the emotional reunion of a father and his child, titled “The Ivory Comb,” written in 1966.

The story revolves around Mr. Sáu and his daughter Thu, who reunite after more than eight years of separation. However, Thu fails to recognize her father due to a long scar on his face, reacting with indifference and even hostility. In a surprising turn of events, just as Mr. Sáu is about to leave, Thu finally calls out “Dad,” but there is no time left for them to cherish each other. Mr. Sáu returns to the war zone and crafts an ivory comb for his daughter. Tragically, after completing it, he is killed by the enemy. In his final moments, he manages to hand the comb to his friend, Bác Ba, asking him to deliver it to Thu before passing away.

Reading this short story, one cannot help but feel the profound and sacred beauty of family love. First and foremost is the unwavering loyalty between husband and wife. Throughout the years of war, Mr. Sáu and his wife only met a few times, each visit fraught with difficulty and lasting mere days. Yet, Mrs. Sáu braved the dangers and distance to visit her husband. When Mr. Sáu returned home on leave, she tenderly cared for him, preparing his belongings and folding his clothes. War may have separated them geographically, but it could not sever the bond of their hearts.

Most striking, however, is the relationship between Mr. Sáu and his daughter Thu. Like many Vietnamese farmers, Mr. Sáu answered the call of his nation, leaving behind his most cherished possessions: his land, home, wife, and infant daughter. Eight years away from home only deepened his longing, as expressed in the lines: “Away from home, I miss my homeland, the simple meals, and the familiar flavors.” He missed his village, his neighbors, and, most of all, his daughter. Having been apart for so long, he had never heard her voice or seen her in person, only a photo sent by his wife. When peace briefly returned, he was overjoyed to have three short days at home. Accompanied by his friend Bác Ba, he rushed to see his daughter, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he approached, his excitement grew uncontrollable: “...the fatherly love surged within him. The eagerness and longing to see his daughter urged him forward, unable to wait any longer.” When he finally saw her, he called out, “Thu! My child!” But his scarred face, red and twitching, frightened her, and she recoiled in fear.

Through all this, we see Mr. Sáu’s deep love for his daughter, his longing to be with her, and his inability to contain his emotions. Yet, hope often leads to disappointment. His initial joy turned into profound sorrow as Thu’s fear and coldness left him heartbroken: “...the pain made his face darken, his hands dropping as if broken.” This pain was perhaps greater than any physical wound he endured in battle. He longed to hear the word “Dad” from his daughter, a word he had never heard before. His love for her was genuine and immense.

But a father’s love does not allow for tears. Despite Thu’s rejection, Mr. Sáu continued to care for her during his short leave, doing everything he could to earn her recognition. Yet, the more he tried to bridge the gap, the wider it grew. Thu’s indifference and harsh words only deepened his emotional pain. Unable to cry, he could only laugh bitterly: “He turned to look at her, shaking his head slightly and smiling. Perhaps the pain was so great that he couldn’t cry, so he laughed instead.” His smile masked his anguish, a futile attempt to forget the unbearable pain. When Thu rejected his gesture of love by throwing away the egg he offered, he could no longer contain his frustration and struck her, shouting, “Why are you so stubborn?” Hitting her was more painful than her rejection, as it felt like a denial of all the love he had poured into her.

As his despair grew, Mr. Sáu never stopped loving his daughter. When he bid her farewell, he spoke softly, “Goodbye, my child. Dad is leaving.” But in a final twist of fate, just as he thought all hope was lost, Thu called out, “Dad... Dad...” Her heartfelt cry moved the hardened soldier to tears. He hugged her, wiped his tears, and kissed her hair, overwhelmed with joy and regret. He had to leave, but he promised to return with a comb, a symbol of his love and commitment to be with her again.

Back in the war zone, his longing for Thu only grew. Regretful for having struck her, he channeled his love into crafting an ivory comb for her. Using a bullet casing, he meticulously carved each tooth, pouring his heart into the gift. The comb bore the inscription, “With love, to Thu from Dad.” This act of love transformed him from a soldier into a skilled artisan, his fatherly love giving him strength to endure the horrors of war. But fate was cruel. Before he could deliver the comb, he was killed in battle. With his last breath, he reached into his blood-soaked pocket, retrieved the comb, and handed it to his comrade, asking him to give it to Thu. Only then did he close his eyes and pass away.

Thu, too, loved her father deeply. Having been separated from him since infancy, she yearned for his presence. The only image she had of him was an old photograph, which shaped her perception of what a father should look like. When she finally met Mr. Sáu, his scarred face frightened her, and she reacted with fear and rejection. Over the days, her stubbornness and refusal to call him “Dad” only deepened his pain. Yet, in the end, her love broke through, and she called out to him with all her heart. Her actions, though childish, were rooted in her deep love and longing for her father.

Nguyễn Quang Sáng’s “The Ivory Comb” is a moving and authentic portrayal of family love during wartime. Through the unexpected reunion of Mr. Sáu and Thu, the story highlights the enduring and sacred bond between father and child. War may scar and separate, but it cannot destroy the love that binds families together.

In any circumstance, family bonds remain inseparable and deeply rooted. During wartime, these emotions are even more profoundly expressed. This sentiment is vividly portrayed in Nguyễn Quang Sáng’s short story, “The Ivory Comb.”

Mr. Sáu was heartbroken to leave his family, but for the sake of the nation’s independence, he chose to join the resistance. He departed for the warfront knowing his daughter only through a photograph. Eight years later, during a brief visit home, he finally met her. What should have been a joyous reunion turned tragic due to the scars of war. His daughter, Thu, failed to recognize him, a devastating blow to the father-daughter bond. The war had stolen Thu’s father, not through death, but through the unrecognizable changes it wrought.

Like many Vietnamese, Mr. Sáu believed that without national independence, his small family could never find true happiness. For Thu, however, the man before her was not her father. The three days at home tested his patience. The more he tried to connect with her, the more she rebelled, her stubbornness masking her deep longing for the father she knew only from a photograph. Her sudden change of heart came too late, as time ran out. In a moment of clarity, she called out “Dad,” a word she had suppressed for so long. Her embrace revealed the depth of her love, a love that had been hidden beneath her defiance.

For Mr. Sáu, the separation from his daughter since her infancy left an aching void. He cherished her photograph, and upon his return, he couldn’t contain his emotions, rushing to her with open arms. His call, filled with both pain and love, went unanswered at first. Despite her coldness, he persisted, caring for her and hoping she would understand. His frustration led him to strike her, a moment he would forever regret. Yet, his joy knew no bounds when she finally called him “Dad.” Those three days of rejection were redeemed by her love as he prepared to leave for the battlefield once more. At the warfront, his longing for her manifested in the creation of an ivory comb, meticulously engraved with the words, “With love, to Thu from Dad.” This comb symbolized his unwavering love, a love that transcended the horrors of war. Tragically, the war claimed his life before he could return home. With his final breath, he entrusted the comb to a comrade, ensuring it reached his daughter. Though his body never returned, his spirit remained with his family.

Beyond the father-daughter relationship, the story also highlights the enduring love between Mr. Sáu and his wife. Despite the challenges of war, their bond remained unbroken. Mrs. Sáu braved danger to visit her husband, and during his brief leave, she tenderly cared for him. War may have separated them physically, but it could not sever their emotional connection.

The story also touches on the special bond between Thu and her grandmother. The grandmother was Thu’s confidante, the only one who understood why she refused to acknowledge her father. It was the grandmother who explained the scar on Mr. Sáu’s face, helping Thu reconcile with her father before it was too late. The grandmother played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between father and daughter.

Through its poignant situations and intricate character development, the story evokes deep emotions, showcasing the unbreakable bond between Mr. Sáu and Thu. War may destroy lives, but it cannot destroy the sacred ties of family.