The story 'The Night Dewdrop' by Tran Duc Tien leaves a deep impression on readers, evoking thoughts about homeland and the origins of every individual.
The excerpt narrates an incident where a coconut beetle spends a night in the village of Bo Dau. Curious and hospitable, the lizard opens the door to welcome the beetle into his small home, as there are no inns or hotels in the area. However, the beetle's unsettling memories of being teased by children lead him to decline and instead choose to rest under the bamboo roof. That night, Bo Dau village resonated with noisy sounds, creating a unique symphony that made it difficult for the guest to fall asleep. Yet, something special happened. A pure, mystical drop of dew fell upon the beetle's neck, like a cosmic sign. Suddenly awake, he realized the beauty of the village and felt an urge to reconnect with his homeland. The next morning, the lizard, with a warm heart and genuine concern, visited him and listened to the memories the beetle had shared from the previous night. The sounds of rain, wind, snails, and geckos became part of the vibrant and musical narrative of that night. Through this miraculous experience, the beetle learned a profound lesson about love and gratitude towards his homeland. This story serves as a reminder that our busy lives often make us forget the simplest yet most important things in life.
Under the author's skilled pen, the portraits of various creatures come alive in beautiful and vivid ways. The coconut beetle, so caught up in its daily struggle for survival, had forgotten about its roots. One day, by chance, it became a guest at the village and, as the dew drop chilled its neck, it was awakened to a longing for home, deciding to return to its birthplace. The never-ending cycle of work and survival often drowns people in trivial worries, causing them to forget the source of their love. This is the moment of awakening for the character and the profound lesson the author imparts to readers.
For those living far from home, or for any reason separated from their homeland, it is important to take a moment to slow down and reflect on one's parents, ancestors, and origins. Through the essay 'The Night Dewdrop,' readers not only see the colorful world of animals but also learn an important lesson through the beetle's awakening. No matter where we are on this planet, we must always remember our ancestors, our roots, and our beloved homeland.
Illustrative Image'Dew Drop of the Night' by author Trần Đức Tiến has left a lasting impression on readers, especially with his unique portrayal of the animal world.
The story of 'Dew Drop of the Night' by Trần Đức Tiến constructs a simple yet meaningful situation. The protagonist of the work is a creature, the Coconut Beetle, a well-travelled being who has experienced the struggles of life. The beetle has vivid memories of the terrifying moments when it was captured by children and trapped in boxes. Used to sleeping under bamboo, the beetle's life is intertwined with constant movement and survival. One fateful night, a dewdrop falls from the bamboo leaves, chilling the beetle’s body and awakening him, bringing memories flooding back. From the character of the Coconut Beetle, readers gain profound life lessons. It’s a lesson about gratitude for one’s origins, which the beetle had unintentionally forgotten. In pursuit of a living, the beetle spent countless days wandering and living under trees, until one night, the dew drop reminded him of his past and childhood, prompting him to prepare for a pilgrimage. Thanks to this serendipitous drop, the beetle received a deeply profound lesson in gratitude for his roots. The author has skillfully developed the character of the Coconut Beetle and the story’s events in a gentle yet impactful manner, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Through the character of the Coconut Beetle, readers reflect on a powerful life lesson. It is a lesson about gratitude for one’s roots, which the character had unknowingly forgotten. Many of us can see ourselves in this character. As people grow up, they often leave their homeland in search of livelihood. The endless cycle of life pulls people into trivial worries, making them forget the things that are closest and most familiar. Thus, the awakening of the Coconut Beetle is not only a pivotal moment for the character but also a profound lesson from the author to us all—a reminder of gratitude and a return to our roots.
Illustrative ImageTrần Đức Tiến is a renowned author known for his works for children. His writings are often marked by a delicate and innocent tone. His story, 'Giọt sương đêm' (Night Dew Drop), provides readers with such a feel. This story is a fable, with animal characters placed in human-like situations. The protagonist, a beetle named Bọ Dừa, accidentally stops by a small village to seek shelter for the night. There, he meets a Lizard who invites him to rest in his home, a glass jar. However, Bọ Dừa is troubled by memories of being trapped in small spaces by children, so he opts to sleep under a bamboo arch instead. A dew drop unexpectedly falls on his neck, reminding him of his hometown. The next morning, the Lizard inquires about his night, and after hearing his story, Bọ Dừa bids him farewell and returns home. The author has skillfully drawn the character of Bọ Dừa, portraying him as a well-traveled, experienced being haunted by past experiences, while the Lizard is shown as courteous and hospitable. The setting of the story, the village of Bờ Giậu, is beautifully described with the simple charm of rural Vietnam, with sounds of insects and the rustling of leaves. The details, especially the dew drop, evoke a deep feeling of nostalgia and longing for one's roots. The story’s gentle narrative leaves a lasting impression on the reader, conveying a message of gratitude and reflection on one’s origins.
IllustrationThe work 'Giọt sương đêm' by author Trần Đức Tiến offers readers profound reflections. The story unfolds around a simple yet meaningful situation involving Bọ Dừa, a beetle, who unexpectedly finds himself at a humble village inn. Here, he encounters a Lizard who kindly offers him shelter in his jar-shaped home. However, haunted by memories of being imprisoned by children, Bọ Dừa declines and chooses to rest under a bamboo arch. That night, the sounds of the village and an unexpected dew drop on his neck stir his emotions, reminding him of his homeland. The next day, the Lizard checks in on him, and after hearing his story, Bọ Dừa leaves to return home. The author effectively uses animal characters, a characteristic of fables, to impart lessons about human nature. The narrative teaches readers about the importance of remembering one’s roots and the realization that, amidst life’s busyness, it’s easy to forget the familiar things we once held dear. Ultimately, the story encourages the reader to appreciate the quiet and peaceful refuge of home, which remains an anchor no matter where life may take us.
IllustrationIn literature, Trần Đức Tiến is renowned for his remarkable contributions to children's literature. His works are recognized for their subtlety and sweet innocence. Among his creations, the short story 'Giọt Sương Đêm' (Night Dew Drop) has left a lasting impression on readers. This piece belongs to the genre of fables, where characters are depicted as animals living in a vibrant, beautiful world. The story begins with Bọ Dừa, a small, unassuming insect, who unexpectedly finds his way to the village of Bờ Giậu and requests to stay the night. Here, he meets Thằn Lằn, a warm and courteous character, who invites him to rest in her humble home. However, Bọ Dừa harbors a deep-seated fear of eerie images and mysterious spaces, which leads him to sleep outdoors beneath the shade of bamboo. Just then, a gentle dew drop falls on his neck, evoking memories of his homeland and a deep appreciation for his roots. The next morning, Thằn Lằn visits him, and Bọ Dừa shares his experience. After bidding her farewell, he visits the wise old Frog to recount his adventure in Bờ Giậu. The Frog, a character of wisdom and insight, listens attentively, and together they reflect on the valuable lessons learned from this encounter. Trần Đức Tiến successfully creates unique characters, blending human emotions and traits into these animal figures. Bọ Dừa, despite being small and fragile, symbolizes those who have faced hardship and fear yet retain gratitude and a longing to return to their origins. Thằn Lằn embodies the grace and hospitality of a welcoming host, while the wise Frog represents intellect and understanding. The author's delicate writing style makes the story both engaging and meaningful. Moreover, the author paints a vivid world within the story, bringing the village of Bờ Giậu to life with the simple beauty of rural Vietnam: 'The dew gently fell, accompanied by the sighs of the wind. The rustling leaves seemed to whisper their quiet thoughts,' and the familiar sounds of insects: 'The distant call of the Gecko at night, or the soft crawl of the Snail across a fallen leaf.' These sounds and sights transport Bọ Dừa back to his homeland, where he feels an immense pride. The detail of the dew drop is particularly poignant, stirring a deep sense of longing for one's origins. The unexpected dew drop teaches the character a profound lesson about gratitude for one's roots. Through the delicate portrayal of Bọ Dừa and his journey, the author leaves readers with an enduring sense of reflection and wisdom. After experiencing this short story, readers are reminded that in the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to forget the simple, familiar things, yet home is always the final place of peace and solace for every individual.
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