Top 5 Best Essays Featuring Au Co Recounting the Legend of 'The Dragon and The Fairy'

Time flies, my children! Just in the blink of an eye, 4000 years have passed. Long ago, my family lived in a mountainous area, always surrounded by fragrant flowers and babbling streams. My parents named me Au Co when I was born. At the age of sixteen, with beauty as radiant as the full moon, I loved wandering the mountains with my friends, seeking rare flowers and plants.

Every day, I roamed the beautiful forests, until one day, while looking for the most exquisite flowers, I lost my way. Just as I was feeling lost and anxious, I met a tall and handsome young man. He approached, inquired about my situation, and kindly guided me out of the forest.

After several encounters, I learned that he was Lac Long Quan, a dragon spirit who lived in the waters but occasionally visited the land. He was strong and helped the villagers fight evil spirits and taught them agriculture.

Impressed by his character and strength, I soon married Lac Long Quan. Our life together was filled with happiness, wandering the land and the sea.

Not long after, I was pregnant, and both our families eagerly awaited the birth of our first child. Lac Long Quan was overjoyed, anticipating the moment I would give birth. One fine morning, I went into labor. Everyone eagerly awaited the birth, but to everyone's surprise, I gave birth not to one child, but a bundle of one hundred eggs. In time, the eggs hatched, and one hundred beautiful, strong sons emerged.

Our family would daily venture into the forests to admire the flowers and seek out new plants, but life took an unexpected turn when I noticed the sadness in Lac Long Quan's face. He often stood on a high mountain, gazing out towards the sea where his family waited. Eventually, Lac Long Quan decided to return to his family, leaving me alone with our children. After he left, I longed for him day and night, and our children would ask me:

- Where is father, mother? When will he come back?

I had no answer, for he had left without saying when he would return. Each day, my children and I would go to the shore, looking out towards the horizon, hoping to see him return, but the days passed with no sign of him. One day, I finally called out to him, expressing my sorrow:

- Are you truly leaving us, abandoning me and the children? Do you know how much we miss you?

Hearing my words, Lac Long Quan replied sadly:

- I am of the dragon lineage from the deep waters, while you are of the fairy line from the mountains. We live in different realms, with different ways of life. It would be difficult for us to stay together for long. I will take fifty of our sons to the sea, while you take the other fifty to the mountains. Each of us will rule our own domain.

I protested:

- No! I don’t want our family to be split. I don’t want to be separated from you and the children.

Lac Long Quan reassured me:

- We have shared love and happiness together. I believe that distance will not tear us apart. In times of hardship, we will always unite and help each other.

Understanding his reasoning, I reluctantly agreed. On the day we parted, watching him and our fifty children disappear into the distance, my heart ached. From then on, I would be far away from them, never knowing when we would meet again.

Our eldest son became the ruler, known as Hung Vuong, and established the capital in Phong Chau, founding the nation of Van Lang. The others were given their own territories, establishing various tribes, including Tay, Nung, H'Mong, Thai, Meo, Dao, and many more, each with its own unique traditions.

Since then, though we lived apart, Lac Long Quan and I never forgot our love for each other, and our children, though separated, remained bound by a deep connection. Whenever faced with challenges, they would unite and help each other overcome them.

Remember, children, we are all one family, united by our shared heritage as descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy. Therefore, always support and help one another.

I am Au Co, a descendant of the Fairy lineage, the daughter of the God of Agriculture, who was entrusted by the Jade Emperor with overseeing cultivation on earth. Today, I am delighted to meet you all after over 4000 years since the founding of Vietnam. Perhaps you're curious about the daily reminders from your teachers that the Vietnamese people are descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy. From the mountains to the plains, from the north to the south of Vietnam, we are all one family. Let me help you understand this profound truth through a story.

Back in the old days, the land of Vietnam was still wild and sparsely populated. People lived in harmony with nature, with no overcrowding as we see today. I was about 18 or 20 years old, fond of beautiful flowers and rare plants. I heard that the region of Lac Viet had many scenic spots, so I, along with other fairies, descended to earth. Little did I know that while picking flowers by the stream, I would unexpectedly meet a handsome young man. His appearance and noble bearing immediately caught my attention, and I could tell he wasn’t an ordinary person. His striking beauty made me, and the other fairies, feel shy. Though I was attracted to him, I dared not approach him.

The next day, I returned to the same place to gather flowers, and, just as I had hoped, I met the young man again. Through our conversation, I learned that he was Lac Long Quan, a dragon and the son of the Dragon King.

After several more meetings, it seemed that he also felt affection for me. We soon became husband and wife, and although my heavenly parents were initially surprised, they ultimately accepted our union when they saw how deeply we loved each other. We settled in the Dragon Palace.

After some time, I became pregnant, and both of us were thrilled, eagerly awaiting the birth of our child. To our surprise, instead of a baby, I gave birth to a pouch full of eggs. For days, I carried the pouch, feeling disheartened, but then, to my astonishment, one by one, the eggs hatched into a hundred children, each more handsome and strong than the last. Lac Long Quan was overjoyed, and we spent our days doting on our beautiful children. But one day, I noticed a sad expression on Lac Long Quan’s face, so I asked him what troubled him.

He remained silent for a moment before replying, 'I had planned to stay with you and our children in the Dragon Palace forever, but I am concerned because my father is growing old, and there is no one else to help manage the Dragon Palace. Moreover, we are from different worlds, you on land and I in the water. I think it’s best for us to divide our children: fifty will stay with me in the sea, and fifty will go with you to the mountains. What do you think?'

Though saddened, I realized he was right, and so I agreed to his plan.

I took fifty of our children to the mountains and made our eldest son the ruler at Phong Chau, where the kingdom of Van Lang was established. I divided the remaining lands among my children, and they created various ethnic groups, including the Tay, Nung, H'Mong, Thai, Meo, and Dao, each with their own distinct customs.

Though we were often apart, Lac Long Quan and I never forgot our bond. Most importantly, our hundred children remembered their sibling ties. Whenever there was war or trouble, they united to fight together against any enemy.

So, children, this is the origin of your ancestors! The Vietnamese people always remember their roots and their shared heritage. As a poet once wrote:

Those who have passed,

Those who are still here,

Love each other and bear children,

Carry the responsibilities of those who came before,

And tell future generations of their legacy.

Every year, we remember the ancestors,

And bow our heads in reverence on the Day of the Ancestors.

In the past, the land of Lac Viet was a wild and desolate place, inhabited by many mythical creatures, especially the Fish Spirits, the Tiger Spirits, and the Tree Spirits, who often disturbed the peaceful lives of the people.

Their father, Lac Long Quan, a descendant of the Dragon, lived in the water but occasionally came to the shore. He fought and defeated the Fish, Tiger, and Tree Spirits, allowing the people of Lac Viet to live peacefully. He taught them how to raise livestock, cultivate crops, and live harmoniously. After finishing his work, he would return to the underwater palace, only coming to the surface when needed by the people.

Their mother, a descendant of the divine Nong from the northern highlands, belonging to the lineage of the Immortals, one day heard of the beautiful landscapes of Lac Viet and decided to visit. There, she met their father, and was so impressed by his wisdom and strength that she fell in love with him. They married and lived together in the Long Trang Palace on the land.

Not long after, their mother became pregnant. The news made their father overjoyed. When it was time for her to give birth, she laid a sack of one hundred eggs, from which one hundred siblings emerged. Upon birth, the children were extraordinarily healthy, beautiful, and grew up swiftly, becoming strong and handsome young men, embodying the Dragon and Immortal lineage.

Being from the Dragon lineage, accustomed to the water, their father and the children soon felt weary of life on land. To preserve their strength and restore their divine energy, they decided to return to the Dragon Palace for a while. After bidding farewell to their mother, their father left, and the children stayed with her. She waited long for his return, but he never came back. So, she raised the children alone, feeling deep sadness.

One day, during the early days of the summer moon, she went to the sea to call for their father. Just the day before, he had returned. However, due to the different worlds they came from—he, the Dragon from the deep waters, and she, the Immortal from the high mountains—their natures and ways of life were too different to continue living together. He decided to take fifty of the children to the sea to establish their home there, while their mother would take the remaining fifty to the mountains. They would rule their territories separately, but would help each other when needed. Does this arrangement seem acceptable to you?

Of all the children, their parents chose the eldest to be the king of Lac Viet. From then on, he would be known as Hung Vuong, and all future generations would carry that title. The land of Lac Viet would now be called Van Lang, and the capital would be in Phong Chau. The government would have both civil and military officials. The children of the king would be called Quan Lang for the sons and Mi Nuong for the daughters. The throne would be passed down from the eldest son to the next, following this tradition for generations.

From now on, our family will no longer be united as it once was. But no matter where you go, whether to the mountains or the sea, always remember that you are born from the same egg, that your father is a Dragon and your mother is an Immortal. For generations to come, you must remember the bond of siblinghood, always help one another, and work together to expand and strengthen the land of your ancestors, the Dragon and Immortal lineage.

In the northern mountains, within the legendary Nong family, I was known as an extraordinarily beautiful young woman. My parents named me Au Co.

Many skilled suitors came to ask for my hand, but none captured my heart. My parents, concerned, gently urged me to choose one among them, as I had reached the age to marry. Torn between my duty to my parents and my lack of love for any of the suitors, I spent many sleepless nights in indecision. Eventually, I heard tales of the fragrant flowers and strange plants in the land of Lac Viet, and I asked my parents if I could visit and explore.

One bright morning, I found myself walking along the pristine beach, the waves crashing and spraying foam. Without a second thought, I ran into the water, laughing and playing with the waves. The cool breeze and the waves washed away all my worries, and I joyfully played with my maidens in the water. Unaware of the time, the waves carried us farther from the shore. Eventually, we grew tired and realized we couldn’t return. Panicked, we called for help, our voices echoing across the sea. In an instant, a handsome young man appeared, with the body of a dragon and unmatched strength. With miraculous powers, he swiftly brought us back to shore. Once safe, I thanked him, asking for his name and origin. He explained that helping others, vanquishing evil spirits like the Fish Spirits and Tiger Spirits, was his calling. He introduced himself as Lac Long Quan, the son of the Dragon Lady, who lived underwater. He often came to the surface to protect the people, teaching them agriculture and animal husbandry, before returning to the ocean.

Not long after, Lac Long Quan visited me and asked for my hand in marriage. I was overjoyed, as my dreams had finally come true. My parents were pleased as well, for he was a worthy and capable man. A grand wedding was held, and we moved to live together in the Long Trang Palace.

Soon after, I became pregnant, and when the time came to give birth, I surprisingly laid a sack of one hundred eggs. From these eggs hatched one hundred children, all vibrant, healthy, and extraordinarily strong, growing rapidly without the need for nursing.

However, Lac Long Quan, who was accustomed to life in the water, found it difficult to remain on land. He decided to leave us and return to his underwater palace. Left alone with the children, I felt lonely and sad. I called out to him, asking why he had left us. He explained that as a Dragon born from the deep waters, and I, an Immortal from the high mountains, our natures and ways of life were too different to remain together forever. He proposed that fifty of our children accompany him to the sea, while I would take the other fifty to the mountains, each of us governing our respective territories. We would help one another when needed, but live separately. I agreed to his plan, and we parted ways.

Our eldest son was crowned king, taking the title of Hung Vuong, and the capital was established at Phong Chau. The kingdom was named Van Lang. The court was composed of both civil and military officials. The king’s sons were called Lang, and his daughters were called Mi Nuong. The throne would pass down to the eldest son, continuing the tradition for generations. This story explains why the descendants of Hung Vuong, the people of Vietnam, proudly call themselves the Children of Dragons and the Grandchildren of Immortals.

Long ago, around four thousand years or so, the Earth was still wild and untouched. On the land, animals roamed freely, and birds sang cheerfully. Beneath the waters, schools of fish swam peacefully.

My name is Au Co, the youngest daughter of the legendary Thần Nông, the deity entrusted with the task of cultivating plants in the heavens and overseeing agriculture on Earth. Adored by my parents, I often journeyed with my fellow Immortal sisters to explore the world below.

One day, while playfully wandering by a cool stream, I suddenly spotted a handsome young man. He was striking, with a radiant pearl necklace, teeth white as ivory, and a strong, agile body, like a shark swimming through the water. His voice resonated like a bell, and his eyes were as deep as the ocean. Without a word, I found myself completely enchanted. I tried to hide behind my companions, but he saw me and approached. His name was Lac Long Quan, the son of the Dragon Lady, and the master of the seas.

The following day, he returned, bringing with him many precious pearls as gifts. My fellow Immortals disappeared, leaving me alone. I wanted to run, but my feet couldn’t move. We soon married and lived happily together in the Long Trang Palace.

Before long, I became pregnant, and Lac Long Quan was overjoyed. When I gave birth, however, it was not as expected. Instead of a child, I gave birth to a sack containing a hundred eggs. One day, as we returned home, we heard laughter and playful sounds. To our astonishment, one hundred children had emerged from the eggs, running and playing. My joy was magnified a hundredfold as I witnessed this miracle.

The children grew rapidly, becoming strong and mighty young men.

Yet, despite our happiness, sadness crept in as Lac Long Quan began to yearn for the sea. He decided to return to his underwater realm, leaving me with the children. Day after day, I waited, longing for his return. I asked him why he couldn’t stay with us to raise our children.

He explained that, as a Dragon born from the deep waters and I, an Immortal from the mountains, our ways of life were too different. He proposed that he would take fifty of our children to the sea, and I would take the other fifty to the mountains, each of us governing our respective territories. We would help each other when necessary, but live apart. I agreed to his plan, though the farewell was bittersweet. I watched as he and our children disappeared into the distance, my heart full of love.

Our eldest son remained with me and was crowned king, known as Hung Vuong, with the capital in Phong Chau. It became tradition that each succeeding generation would pass the crown to the eldest son, who would also be called Hung Vuong. This continued for eighteen generations.

As for the other children, they scattered across the land, establishing different tribes, each developing its own language, customs, and traditions. Despite the differences, they always remembered they were one family. Whenever invaders threatened, they would unite and drive the enemy away.

Because of this, Vietnam today is home to over fifty ethnic groups, all united as one family, descendants of me.