Top 6 Best Analysis of 'Chuyện cổ nước mình' (Literature 6 Textbook KNTT with CS)

Part I

Before Reading

Question 1 (page 93, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

What folk tales of our country do you know?

Method of solving:

Each student answers based on their own understanding.

Detailed solution:

Some folk tales of our country I know are: Tấm Cám, Sọ Dừa, Thạch Sanh...

Question 2 (page 93, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

Which characters do you like in these stories? Why?

Method of solving:

Recall the characteristics of the characters in the stories you just mentioned.

Detailed solution:

- I like characters like: Tấm, Sọ Dừa, Thạch Sanh,...

- Because they lived in difficult circumstances but possessed noble qualities of hardworking, honest people, with filial piety, a strong love, and the courage to fight against evil and injustice, remaining loyal to their principles.

Part III

After Reading

Question 1 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

What poetic form is the poem written in? What signs help you identify this form?

Method of solving:

Observe and count the number of words in each line.

Detailed solution:

- The poem 'Chuyện cổ nước mình' is written in the six-eight rhyme form, with a gentle rhythm and a tone that evokes traditional folk music and lullabies.

- Identifying features:

+ The poem is composed of alternating six-eight couplets.

+ The last word of the sixth-line rhymes with the sixth word of the next eighth-line.

Question 2 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

Through the poem, which folk tales do you recognize? Find words and images that evoke those stories.

Method of solving:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

The words and images in the poem that remind me of the following folk tales are:

- 'Ở hiền thì lại gặp hiền': reminds me of the stories of Cây tre trăm đốt, Cây khế, Thạch Sanh.

- 'Thị thơm thị giấu người thơm': reminds me of the story of Tấm Cám.

- 'Đẽo cày theo ý người ta': reminds me of the story of Đẽo cày giữa đường.

Question 3 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

What has the folk story told the poet about the beauty of human relationships?

Method of solving:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

The folk story has shown the poet the beauty and soul of the Vietnamese people throughout the ages. That is:

- The vast love for humanity and the philosophy of belief in 'good will be rewarded with good', 'evil will be punished' that our people cherish.

Examples:

+ The hardworking elder brother is given a magic spell 'Khắc nhập! Khắc xuất' by Buddha and wins a beautiful, virtuous wife (Story 'Cây tre trăm đốt').

+ The diligent younger brother is rewarded by the phoenix bird with a 'golden tea fruit' and becomes rich and happy; the greedy older brother drowns in the sea (Story 'Cây khế').

+ Thạch Sanh is blessed by the Fairy, becoming a skilled warrior with magical powers, who defeats the Snake Spirit, shoots the Eagle, and commands an army to defeat enemies. He becomes a prince, later a king; in contrast, Lý Thông, who is deceitful, cruel, and treacherous, is struck by lightning and turns into a dung beetle...

- Folk stories also carry valuable lessons about humanity: we must live truthfully, diligently, and with wisdom, without following the crowd. The author subtly hints at the lessons of honesty and righteousness through stories like 'Tấm Cám', 'Đẽo cày giữa đường', and more, showing us the moral teachings passed down by our ancestors for future generations.

Question 4 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

Only the precious folk tales remain

To help me recognize my ancestors

How does the poet express their feelings for folk tales in the two lines of poetry above?

Method of solving:

Read the two lines of poetry carefully and answer the question.

Detailed solution:

The lines express the poet’s deep gratitude and reverence for folk tales. Thanks to these stories, rich in folk tradition, the poet is able to understand and appreciate the teachings and wisdom passed down by previous generations. These stories, full of kindness and wisdom, contain the valuable life experiences of our forebears.

Question 5 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

I hear the folk tales whisper

The teachings of my ancestors for future generations

What thoughts do the two lines of poetry evoke in you?

Method of solving:

Read the two lines of poetry carefully.

Detailed solution:

The two lines express the poet’s gratitude toward the teachings embedded in folk tales passed down by ancestors. These teachings, full of compassion, reflect the values of a small yet heroic nation, whose economy might not have flourished, but whose people’s hearts were full of kindness and generosity. Folk tales are precious lessons from the elders to the future generations, encouraging us to be compassionate, fair, wise, and diligent.

Question 6 (page 95, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1)

Why do folk tales 'always remain fresh, shining in our conscience' to the poet?

Method of solving:

Recall the poetic lines and provide a suitable answer.

Detailed solution:

For the poet, folk tales 'always remain fresh, shining in our conscience' because, despite the passage of time and the development of society, the teachings of our ancestors remain timeless and valuable. These tales, filled with human emotions and life lessons, continue to resonate deeply. This is why people of all ages, from young to old, cherish folk stories from our country.

WRITE A CONNECTION WITH READING

Write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) expressing your feelings about the following excerpt:

The lives of my ancestors and mine

Like the bend of a river and the distant horizon

Only the precious folk tales remain

To help me recognize my ancestors

Method of solving:

Write a paragraph that follows the required format and expresses your thoughts about the content and artistic features of the excerpt.

Detailed solution:

The excerpt leaves me with numerous thoughts. The life of my ancestors and mine represents two generations that have passed. The metaphor comparing the river's bend with the distant horizon is not only profound but also carries a sense of nostalgia for what we call the 'generations.' This generational gap may cause change in people, but the beauty of folk tales endures. These tales, filled with love and compassion, are gentle teachings passed down over time. And each of us, 'recognizing our ancestors,' goes deeper into exploring the soul and continuing the legacy of the generations before us. We, the people of today, will nurture and strive to ensure that our heritage, as expressed in these folk tales, will always shine brightly!

Part I

Before Reading

Question 1 (page 93 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Students should answer according to their own understanding.

Detailed solution:

Some folk tales from our country include: Tam Cam, So Dua, Thach Sanh…

Question 2 (page 93 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Recall the qualities of the characters in the stories you just mentioned.

Detailed solution:

- I admire characters like: Tam, So Dua, Thach Sanh,..

- They all faced difficult circumstances but possessed noble qualities of hardworking, virtuous people.

Part III

After Reading

Question 1 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Observe and count the number of words in each line.

Detailed solution:

- The poem 'Chuyen Co Nuoc Minh' is written in the traditional six-eight verse form.

- Identification feature:

+ The poem is structured in alternating six-eight verse pairs.

+ The last word of the sixth line rhymes with the sixth word of the subsequent eighth line.

Question 2 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

The words and imagery in the poem remind me of old folk stories:

- "Good people meet other good people": reminds me of stories like 'The Hundred-Stick Bamboo', 'The Golden Tree', 'Thach Sanh'

- "Sweet fragrances are hidden, like goodness in people": reminds me of the story of Tam and Cam.

- "Carving according to the person's will": reminds me of the story 'Carving the Axe in the Middle of the Road.'

Question 3 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

The folk stories tell the poet the beauty and spirit of the Vietnamese people through the ages. These are:

- The boundless love for others and the philosophy of the belief “good begets good”, “evil gets its due” that our people hold.

For example:

+ The hardworking elder brother was given a magic phrase by Buddha: "Khac Nhap! Khac Xuat" and married a virtuous wife (The Hundred-Stick Bamboo).

+ The diligent younger brother was rewarded by the phoenix bird with golden fruits and became wealthy and happy (The Golden Tree).

+ Thach Sanh, blessed by the gods, gained extraordinary strength and magical powers, killing the snake demon, shooting the giant eagle, and gaining a magical flute to defeat enemies, ultimately becoming a prince and later a king.

- Our folk stories also contain precious lessons, especially about human virtues: to live honestly, sincerely, work hard, and use wisdom instead of following the crowd.

Question 4 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Read the two lines of poetry carefully and answer the question.

Detailed solution:

The poem above expresses the author’s gratitude and deep respect for folk tales. Thanks to these folk stories, the author feels the connection and love towards the previous generations and their teachings about being a good person.

Question 5 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Read the two lines of poetry carefully.

Detailed solution:

The last two lines of the poem express the author’s gratitude towards the deep, meaningful teachings passed down by our heroic ancestors, which are etched in the essence of our nation.

Question 6 (page 95 of the 6th grade Literature textbook, Volume 1)

Solution method:

Recall the lines of poetry and provide the most suitable answer.

Detailed solution:

For the poet, these folk tales “remain fresh, shining in our conscience” because, no matter how much time passes or how modern life becomes, the wisdom of our ancestors remains forever valuable.

WRITE A CONNECTION WITH READING

Write a paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) expressing your thoughts on the following verse:

The generation of our fathers and mine

Like the river winding towards the distant horizon

Only the cherished old stories remain

So I can recognize my ancestors' faces

Solution method:

Write a paragraph according to the structure requested, expressing your feelings about both the content and the artistry of this verse.

Detailed solution:

This verse leaves me with countless thoughts. The comparison between “our fathers’ generation” and “mine” refers to two generations that are separated by time. The image of the river and the horizon not only deepens the poetic meaning but also seems to carry a sense of nostalgia for the idea of generations. Though these generations may differ and people change, one thing that remains beautiful is the cherished old stories. These folk tales are full of warmth and love, and their lessons resonate with honesty. Moreover, when we “recognize our ancestors,” we also explore the soul’s world and continue their legacy. We, the present generation, must cultivate ourselves, strive, and do our part to ensure that our homeland and the lessons from those folk stories continue to shine bright!

Part I

Before Reading

Question 1 (page 93, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Answer according to your individual understanding.

Detailed solution:

Some folk tales from our country that I know include: Tam Cam, So Dua, Thach Sanh…

Question 2 (page 93, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Recall the characteristics of the characters in the stories you just mentioned.

Detailed solution:

- I like characters such as: Tam, So Dua, Thach Sanh,...

- Because despite their difficult circumstances, they all possess noble qualities of humble workers.

Part III

After Reading

Question 1 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Observe and count the number of words in each line.

Detailed solution:

- The poem 'Our Folk Tales' is written in the traditional six-eight verse form.

- Recognition clues:

+ The poem is composed of pairs of six-eight verses.

+ The last word of a six-syllable line rhymes with the sixth word of the next eight-syllable line.

Question 2 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

Words and images in the poem remind me of the following folk tales:

- 'Those who are kind will meet kindness': reminds me of stories like The Hundred-Jointed Bamboo, The Fig Tree, Thach Sanh.

- 'The fragrant girl hides the fragrance': reminds me of the story of Tam Cam.

- 'Carving the plow according to someone's will': reminds me of the story of the Carver in the Middle of the Road.

Question 3 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Read the poem carefully.

Detailed solution:

The folk tales have conveyed to the poet the beauty and spirit of the Vietnamese people through the ages. This includes:

- The vast compassion of the people and the philosophy of belief in 'kindness repays kindness' and 'evil is repaid with evil' in our culture.

Examples:

+ The kind farmer was granted a magical spell by Buddha: 'In and Out' to win a kind wife (The Hundred-Jointed Bamboo).

+ The hardworking younger brother was rewarded by the Phoenix bird with 'eating a golden fruit' and became rich and happy (The Fig Tree).

+ Thach Sanh was aided by the gods and gained exceptional martial skills, defeating the Snake King, killing the Eagle King, and becoming a prince and eventually a king.

- Our folk tales also carry precious lessons on human morality: to live truthfully, work diligently, and be wise without following the crowd.

Question 4 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Carefully read the two lines of the poem above and answer the question.

Detailed solution:

The poem expresses the author's gratitude and deep respect for folk tales. It is thanks to these folk tales, rich in folklore, that the author understands and cherishes the teachings of their ancestors.

Question 5 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Read the last two lines carefully.

Detailed solution:

The last two lines of the poem reflect the author's deep appreciation for the teachings filled with affection, which carry the marks of a small but heroic nation passed down by our forefathers.

Question 6 (page 95, Grade 6 Literature Textbook)

Solution approach:

Recall the verses and provide the appropriate answer.

Detailed solution:

To the poet, folk tales 'remain forever fresh and enlighten the conscience' because, even through many years, regardless of how society develops, the teachings of our ancestors will always retain their value.

CONNECTING WITH READING

Write a paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) expressing your feelings about the following lines:

Life of our ancestors and mine

Is like the winding river and the distant horizon

Only the cherished folk tales remain

Helping me to recognize my forebears

Solution approach:

Write a paragraph addressing both the form and the content of the poem, expressing your feelings about the poem's meaning and artistic features.

Detailed solution:

This poem leaves me with countless thoughts. The image of 'our ancestors' and 'my life' refers to two generations long past. The comparison of the river winding with the distant horizon not only gives the poem depth but also seems to convey a sense of longing for the concept of generations. Although the gap between generations may differ, people change, the beauty of folk tales remains eternal. Folk tales are full of love, gently nurturing, like sincere teachings. And each one of us, 'recognizing our forebears,' is, in essence, exploring the soul and continuing the legacy of our ancestors. We, in the present, will refine ourselves and make efforts so that the lessons and stories of our heritage will shine forever!

* Before reading

Question 1 (page 93, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- Some folk tales I know are:

+ The Bamboo Tree with Hundred Knots

+ The Magic Fruit

+ Tam and Cam

+ The Origin of Betel and Areca

+ The Origin of Ba Be Lake

+ Carving the Plow in the Middle of the Road

….

Question 2 (page 93, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- The characters in the folk tales I like are: the Genie, Tam, Khoai, … because they are often portrayed as having magical powers, being kind, beautiful, gentle, or helpful to others, …

* Reading the Text

Suggested answers for the reading questions:

1. Imagine: The colors and lines describing the homeland.

+ Golden sunshine, white rain

The river flows with rows of leaning coconut trees

+ Like the river with the distant horizon

* After reading

Main content:

The poem reflects the poet’s love for the homeland, the pride in the cultural and spiritual values of the nation, expressed through the love for folk tales.

Suggested answers to the post-reading questions:

Question 1 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- The poem is written in the six-eight verse form.

- Signs to identify it:

+ Number of syllables and lines: it consists of several six-eight pairs that follow each other; the first line has six syllables, and the second has eight syllables.

+ Rhymes: the final syllable of the six-syllable line rhymes with the sixth syllable of the eight-syllable line, and the final syllable of the eight-syllable line rhymes with the last syllable of the next six-syllable line.

Example:

“Being good will meet goodness

The upright will meet divine support

Taking folk tales with me

Listening to the whispers of the past” …

Good – divine, support – go – will

+ Rhythm: breaks according to even rhythm: 2/2/2, 2/4, 4/4.

Example:

“Being good / will meet / goodness

The upright will meet / divine support

Taking with me / folk tales / I go

Listening to the whispers of the past / of the old days” …

+ Tone: the sixth syllable of the six-syllable line is flat tone. The sixth and eighth syllables of the eight-syllable line must also be flat tones, but if the sixth syllable is a rising tone, the eighth syllable is level and vice versa. The fourth syllable of both the six-syllable and eight-syllable lines must be sharp tone.

Question 2 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- The folk tales mentioned in the poem are:

+ Tam and Cam (The one who is fragrant hides their fragrance/ The diligent will receive the rewards of home and food)

+ Carving the Plow in the Middle of the Road (Carve the plow according to others’ wishes/ It will become a piece of wood, accomplishing nothing)

+ The Origin of Betel and Areca (Rich in the story of betel and areca/ A red betel leaf deeply symbolizes human affection)

Question 3 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- What the folk tales have taught the poet about human beauty are: kindness, depth, compassion, love, generosity, passionate, full of emotions, deep affection,...

→ The poem shows the humanistic values of folk tales. Each line of the poem praises the significance of folk tales in reflecting beautiful human qualities such as kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion… This is explained directly in the first line: “I love the folk tales of my land.”

Question 4 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- The meaning of the two lines of poetry:

+ “Only folk tales remain dearly”: These are deep and sincere emotions that our ancestors conveyed through folk tales, and also the sincere affection the poet has for his own country’s folk tales.

+ “To recognize the face of my ancestors”: Recognizing, understanding the spiritual world of our ancestors, still marked in the stories passed down from ancient times.

→ The poet’s affection for folk tales is deep, representing cultural and spiritual values reflected in these tales. These stories, passed down through generations, help modern readers recognize the “face” of our ancestors, understand their material and spiritual lives, their souls, personalities, customs, ethical values, and life philosophies....

- Some folk tales where the marks of life, customs, and philosophies of the ancient people are clearly shown are: The Bamboo Tree with Hundred Knots, Son of Coconut, and Thach Sanh.

Question 5 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- The two lines of poetry:

“I hear folk tales whispering

The lessons of our ancestors also for the next generation”

Help readers understand the life lessons from folk tales. These are lessons on being human: to live sincerely, with kindness; to work hard, diligently; to have wisdom and a personal stance, not blindly follow others, …

- The life lessons are clearly shown through these lines of poetry:

+ Being good will meet goodness

The upright will meet divine support.

+ The fragrant hides their fragrance

The diligent will receive home and food.

+ Carve the plow according to others’ wishes

It will become a piece of wood, accomplishing nothing.

Question 6 (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

- To the poet, folk tales “Still fresh and bright in the conscience”:

+ “fresh”, “bright in conscience”: The folk tales are not old. They are gems that continue to shine in our present life. The beauty of human kindness and the life lessons embedded in these tales remain valuable and have the ability to educate future generations.

Write a reflection after reading

Assignment (page 95, Vietnamese Language 6, Volume 1 - Connecting Knowledge to Life):

Write a paragraph (around 5-7 sentences) expressing your feelings about the following verse:

“The life of my ancestors and my own

Like the river with the distant horizon

Only folk tales remain dearly

To recognize the face of my ancestors.”

Suggestions:

- What emotions does the poem evoke about folk tales?

- What rhetorical devices are used in the first two lines? How do these devices help express the poet’s thoughts and feelings?

- Why does the poet affirm that folk tales help us reconnect with our ancestors and understand their spiritual identity?

- What is your impression of the tone in these lines?

Example paragraph:

This poem has left me with countless thoughts. “The life of my ancestors and my own” refers to two generations that have passed. The comparison “the river with the distant horizon” not only makes the poetry dense but also seems to convey a sense of nostalgia for what we call “generations.” The gap between generations might change people, but within it, we still see “Only folk tales remain dearly.” These are deep, sincere feelings that our ancestors conveyed through folk tales, and the same heartfelt feelings the poet has for his own folk tales. The final line: “To recognize the face of my ancestors” means recognizing and understanding the spiritual world of our ancestors, still marked in these ancient stories. These ancient tales, passed down through generations, help modern readers recognize the “faces” of our ancestors, understand their material and spiritual lives, their souls, personalities, customs, moral principles, and life philosophies... And we, in this present time, will undoubtedly refine ourselves, strive and work to make our homeland and the lessons in those folk tales shine forever!

Before Reading

1 (page 93 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1):

The stories of Tấm Cám, Thạch Sanh,…

2 (page 93 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1):

I like Tấm because she is kind-hearted and brave enough to fight for her own happiness.

Reading the Text

Visualize (page 94 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1):

- The golden sun, the white rain/ The river flows with leaning coconut trees

- Through these stories of fairy tales and myths.

- Life lessons that our ancestors passed down.

After Reading

Answer the Questions:

Question 1, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

The poem is written in the six-eight verse form:

- Each couplet consists of a 6-8 syllable rhyme pair.

- The rhyme scheme is correct.

- The rhythm is even.

Question 2, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

- Tấm Cám (The fragrance of the poem… the rice and home)

- The plow on the road (The plow… does not accomplish anything)

- The legend of betel and areca nut (Rich in meaning… a deep bond of humanity)

- The bamboo tree with a hundred joints, the fig tree, Thạch Sanh,… (Goodness will be protected by the gods)

Question 3, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

The beauty of human kindness: compassion, deep understanding, love, kindness, fairness, wisdom, generosity, emotional richness, tenderness,…

Question 4, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

The two lines of poetry reflect the deep emotional connection that our ancestors shared through these ancient stories. Through these spiritual and cultural values, we see not only the material life, but also the mental and spiritual essence, and their views on life.

Question 5, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

The two lines of poetry highlight life lessons passed down through ancient tales, encouraging future generations to follow them: kindness, wisdom, self-expression,…

Question 6, page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1:

The lessons from these ancient stories remain vivid, still valuable today, guiding future generations to overcome challenges and obstacles.

Write in connection with reading

Essay Topic (page 95 of Literature Textbook, Grade 6, Volume 1):

In the two lines of poetry, the author clearly illustrates the generational gap between us and our ancestors. This is not just a geographical gap but also a vast temporal distance, like the river flowing to the horizon. However, the old tales still resonate, leaving behind priceless lessons. Not only do they teach us how to interact with others, but they also emphasize the remarkable qualities of the Vietnamese people. Through these lessons, we deeply appreciate and internalize the spiritual and cultural values passed down by our forebears.

I. Before Reading

1. Author

- Lam Thi My Da, born in 1949.

- Hometown: Quang Binh.

- Some works: 'The Heart of Birth' (poetry, 1974), 'Famous Singer of the Land' (children's literature, 1984), 'Picking Your Age Full in Hands' (poetry, 1989), 'Dedicated to a Dream' (poetry, 1998)...

- Awarded the State Prize for Literature and Art in 2007.

2. Answer the questions in the textbook

(1) What folk tales from our country do you know?

Some folk tales include: The Gourd Story, Thach Sanh, Saint Giong, Descendants of Dragons and Fairies, The Hundred-Stick Bamboo, and Coconut Shell.

(2) Which characters from these stories do you like? Why?

Favorite characters: Thach Sanh, Saint Giong, and Coconut Shell...
Reasons: They are all wise, brave, and kind-hearted characters...

II. Reading the Text

1. The immense love and the philosophical belief 'Good things happen to good people' is what makes the poet cherish and respect:

I love the folk tales of my country

They are both kind-hearted and profoundly deep

First, love others, then love yourself

Even far apart, love will always find its way

If you are kind, you will meet kindness

If you are upright, the gods and fairies will protect you

2. Folk tales have become spiritual luggage, giving the poet strength to overcome life's 'rain and shine' – difficulties and challenges:

Carrying folk tales with me

I hear the whisper of ancient times in life

The golden sun, the white rain

The river flows, with leaning coconut trees reflecting

3. When reading our folk tales, the poet feels as if they are meeting their ancestors to explore the wonderful qualities:

Only the beloved folk tales remain

To help me recognize my ancestors

Fair, wise, and generous

With both tolerance and affection.

4. Folk tales also contain precious moral lessons for humanity:

If the flower is fragrant, it hides the fragrance

Hard work brings bread and a home

If you carve wood to please others

You’ll end up with a piece of useless wood

I hear the whisper of folk tales

The lessons from our ancestors are meant for future generations.

The fragrant betel story

With its deep red, represents deep human bonds.

Through my life it will go

Across time, it moves far away.

But all the folk tales in this world

Remain fresh, shining with conscience.

Being diligent, industrious in work.
Having intellect and clear opinions.
Valuing profound relationships.
=> The poem is simple but profound.

III. After Reading

1. Answer the questions

Question 1: What kind of poem is this written in? What are the signs that help you identify the type?

- This poem is written in the traditional 'Lục Bát' (Six-Eight) form.

- Signs: The poem alternates between six-syllable and eight-syllable lines, forming a continuous poem.

Question 2: What folk tales does this poem bring to mind? Find words or images that remind you of those tales.

- 'If you are kind, you will meet kindness': Thach Sanh, The Hundred-Stick Bamboo...

- 'If the flower is fragrant, it hides the fragrance': The story of Tam and Cam.

- 'If you carve wood to please others': The story of carving wood in the middle of the road.

- 'The fragrant betel story': The story of the betel nut.

Question 3: What does the poem teach us about the beauty of human kindness?

- The boundless love between people: 'Love others first, then love yourself.' 'Even far apart, love will always find its way.'

- A longing for a fair life: Good people will meet good things, while bad people will face evil.

Question 4: How does the poet feel about the folk tales in the two lines: 'Only the beloved folk tales remain'?

The poet expresses love for folk tales, along with a sense of pride in the way these tales help people connect with and understand the previous generation.

Question 5: The lines 'I hear the whisper of folk tales'—what thoughts do these bring to mind?

The folk tales contain profound human lessons, passing down wisdom from ancestors for future generations.

Question 6: Why do the folk tales remain 'new and shining with conscience' for the poet?

Although these folk tales have been passed down through generations, their lessons still hold fresh value for modern life.

2. Writing Connection

Write a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) reflecting on the following lines:

'The lives of our ancestors and mine'

Like the river and the distant sky

Only the cherished folk tales remain

To help me recognize my ancestors.'

The Vietnamese nation has endured thousands of years of building and defending its country. The distance between the past generation (our ancestors) and the current generation (us) is like the river and the sky—far apart. However, folk tales have bridged that gap, allowing 'me' to understand more about the virtues and ethics of our ancestors. From there, each person learns to cherish and love the cultural traditions of our nation.