Top 6 Best Essays on 'The Tiger Has Meaning' for 6th Grade

I. Author and Work

1. Author: Vu Trinh (Refer to Grade 6 Literature Textbook, Volume 1)

2. Genre

The story 'The Grateful Tiger' is a piece of classical Vietnamese literature. This genre combines both fictional tales and those closer to real-life accounts, where the plot tends to be straightforward and the characters are primarily depicted through the narrator's direct language, actions, and dialogue.

3. Summary

The story consists of two separate tales about tigers.

The first story tells of a midwife from the Tran family in Dong Trieu. One night, a tiger carries her into the forest. Upon arrival, she assists a female tiger in childbirth. The male tiger, in gratitude, rewards her with a lump of gold, which helps her survive a year of famine.

The second story involves a woodcutter from Lang Giang who helps a tiger dislodge a bone from its throat. In thanks, the tiger gives him a deer. After the woodcutter's death, the tiger visits his grave, and every year on his death anniversary, it brings goats or pigs as offerings to his family.

II. Study Guide

Question 1:

* This text belongs to the genre of traditional Vietnamese folktales.

* The text is divided into two parts:

Part 1 tells the story of the tiger and the midwife.
Part 2 narrates the tiger's gratitude toward the woodcutter.

Question 2:

* The primary literary technique used in this story is personification.

* The author chose the story of a 'grateful tiger' rather than a 'grateful human' to create a contrast that enhances the moral lesson. Tigers are known to be fierce beasts, yet their behavior shows compassion and gratitude. If tigers can demonstrate such qualities, humans should certainly do the same.

Question 3:

* The first tiger and the midwife: knocking at the door, carrying the midwife, holding her hand in a pleading manner, gazing at the female tiger with tears, joyfully playing with its cub, digging up a lump of gold as a gift for the midwife, waving its tail in a respectful farewell—every action conveys care, respect, and proper etiquette.

→ This tiger shows deep love for its family, displaying genuine concern for the safety of the female tiger during childbirth. Despite its inability to speak, its actions—holding the midwife's hand and gazing at the female tiger with tears—are the best form of gratitude.

* The second tiger and the woodcutter: removing the bone, pawing at its throat, lying down exhausted, opening its mouth and looking at the woodcutter for help, thanking him with a deer. Years later, when the woodcutter dies, the tiger visits the grave, dances around it, rubs its head on the coffin, and howls in sorrow.

The first tiger repays the midwife once, but the second tiger continues its gratitude throughout its life, even after the woodcutter's death.

Question 4:

The story of 'The Grateful Tiger' emphasizes the importance of compassion in human relationships. We must help others in times of need and, when we receive help, we should remember the kindness and repay it if possible.

I - Key Concepts to Master

1. Classical Vietnamese literature consists of prose works written in Classical Chinese, differing from modern stories in their style. These tales are often closer to factual accounts (writing about real events) or historical records. The plots tend to be simple, with characters depicted mainly through their language and actions.

2. Story Summary

The midwife, Mrs. Tran, from Dong Trieu, was carried into the forest by a tiger one night. The female tiger was struggling to give birth, so the male tiger sought help. The midwife assisted in the birth, and the male tiger, overjoyed, buried silver in the ground as a gift. The tiger accompanied her out of the forest, and when she returned home, she found the silver worth over ten taels. This helped her survive the famine years.

A woodcutter from Lang Giang helped a tiger dislodge a bone from its throat. In gratitude, the tiger gave him a deer. Over ten years later, after the woodcutter passed away, the tiger came to pay respects, rubbing its head on the coffin, howling in sorrow, and running around the coffin. Each year, on the woodcutter’s death anniversary, the tiger brought goats or pigs as offerings to his family.

3. 'The Grateful Tiger' is a classical Vietnamese story that uses personification, depicting tigers with human-like qualities to highlight the importance of gratitude and loyalty in human behavior.

II - Guide to Reading and Understanding the Text

Question 1: The text 'The Grateful Tiger' is a classical Vietnamese story divided into two parts. The first part deals with the interaction between the tiger and midwife Mrs. Tran. The second part is about the tiger and the woodcutter from Lang Giang.

Question 2: The main literary technique used in the story is personification.

The tiger in the first story expresses concern for its mate, rejoices at the birth of its cubs, and shows gratitude by offering silver and escorting the midwife out of the forest.

The tiger in the second story gives a deer as thanks and, after the woodcutter’s death, continues to show its gratitude by bringing offerings to his family during annual memorial ceremonies.

By telling the story of a grateful tiger, the author indirectly addresses the importance of gratitude in human relationships. If a wild animal like a tiger can demonstrate such kindness, humans should certainly exhibit more gratitude.

Question 3: The first story between the midwife and the tiger is about childbirth. The female tiger was having difficulty giving birth. The male tiger went to fetch Mrs. Tran, pleading with her in tears for help. After she assisted in the delivery, the male tiger expressed gratitude by offering silver and escorted her out of the forest.

The second tiger had a bone stuck in its throat. The woodcutter helped remove the bone. In return, the tiger brought a deer. When the woodcutter passed away, the tiger came to visit the grave and, every year, brought offerings for the annual memorial.

The story of Mrs. Tran helping the female tiger give birth, followed by the male tiger’s joy and gratitude, is a memorable part. The second tiger’s actions—pleading for help and bringing a deer—are also significant moments.

The second tiger didn’t repay its debt just once. After the woodcutter passed away, the tiger continued to visit and bring offerings. This story emphasizes the lifelong commitment to showing gratitude.

Question 4: 'The Grateful Tiger' encourages a life of kindness and mutual respect among people. One must help others in times of need, and those who receive help must remember their benefactors and show gratitude in return.

I. A Brief Introduction to the Author Vu Trinh

- Vu Trinh (1795 - 1828)

- Hometown: Xuân Lan village, Lang Tai district, Kinh Bac region (now part of Bac Ninh province)

- Talent: widely knowledgeable, skilled in poetry and literary creation

- Career:

At 17, he passed the Hương Cống examination (graduated as a cử nhân)
Served as an official in the Le and Nguyen dynasties
- Creative philosophy: literature conveys moral values, poetry expresses ideals

II. About the Story 'The Noble Tiger'

1. Genre: Medieval Vietnamese short story

a. General overview

- The medieval period spanned from the 10th to the 19th century.

- Works produced during this era are categorized as medieval literature.

- Medieval literature includes various genres like poetry, plays, epics, memorials, and stories, including medieval short stories.

b. Medieval Vietnamese stories

- Definition: Prose narratives written in Chinese characters or Nom script by Vietnamese authors between the 10th and 19th centuries.

- Themes: Diverse and often moralistic, written differently from modern stories.

- Plot structure: Generally simple with fewer twists and dramatic developments compared to modern stories.

- Characters: Depicted mainly through the narrator's direct speech, actions, and dialogues.

- Classification: Two main categories:

Fictional stories: Often include imaginative artistic elements
Factual stories: Primarily record real events (comprising a plot and main characters)

2. Origin of 'The Noble Tiger'

- Excerpted from 'Lan Tri Kenh Van Luc', in 'Vietnamese Prose Literature of the Medieval Period, Vol. I' (compiled by Nguyen Dang Na, introduced by Hoang Hung, translated by Hoang Hưng, Educational Publishing House, Hanoi, 1997)

3. Mode of Expression

- Main method: Narrative

4. Narrator's Perspective

- Third-person narrator

5. Summary of 'The Noble Tiger'

A midwife named Tran from Dong Trieu district one night helped a tiger give birth in the forest. Later, the male tiger gave her a silver coin as a token of gratitude. Thanks to this silver, she survived a famine year. In Lang Giang, a woodcutter once helped a tiger remove a bone stuck in its throat, and the tiger thanked him by giving a deer. After the woodcutter's death, the tiger visited his grave and brought offerings each year during the anniversary of his death.

6. Structure of 'The Noble Tiger'

- Consists of two parts:

Part 1: From the beginning to "she barely survived": The tiger's story with the midwife Tran

Part 2: The rest: The tiger's story with the woodcutter

7. The Story's Moral Values

'The Noble Tiger' is a fictional tale created to highlight the importance of gratitude and moral responsibility in human relationships

8. Artistic Values

- Uses animals to convey human values

- Employs artistic techniques such as comparison, personification, fiction, and imagination

- Narrated in chronological order (events unfold sequentially as they occur), following a style inherited from folk literature

III. Study Guide

Question 1 (page 144, Grade 6 Vietnamese Literature Textbook 1)

- The text is from the medieval literary genre.

- It includes two sections:

+ The story of the tiger's gratitude to midwife Tran

+ The tiger's repayment to the woodcutter from Lang Giang

Question 2 (page 144, Grade 6 Vietnamese Literature Textbook 1)

Primary artistic method: Personification

- Uses the image of the noble tiger to illustrate human nobility.

+ The tiger, a fierce animal, embodies noble qualities, suggesting humans should live with gratitude.

+ This serves as an indirect metaphor for human values.

Question 3 (page 144, Grade 6 Vietnamese Literature Textbook 1)

- First story: Midwife Tran assists the pregnant tiger, and after giving birth, the tiger rewards her with silver and guides her out of the forest.

- Second story: The woodcutter helps the tiger remove a bone from its throat, and the tiger offers a deer in return. After the woodcutter's death, the tiger honors him by bringing offerings each year on the anniversary of his passing.

- Notable details:

+ Midwife Tran receives a silver coin from the male tiger as thanks

+ The tiger listens to the woodcutter and lies down, opening its mouth as if pleading for help

- The story of the tiger and the woodcutter, compared to the tiger and midwife Tran, adds deeper meaning, illustrating the concept of lifelong gratitude.

Question 4 (page 144, Grade 6 Vietnamese Literature Textbook 1)

Story's significance:

- Highlights and praises a life of compassion, where people help those in need

- Those who receive help must remember and repay the kindness of their benefactors.

Answer to Question 1 (Page 144 of 6th Grade Literature Textbook):

What literary form does the story "The Tiger with Gratitude" belong to? How many sections does it have, and what is each section about?

Detailed solution:

- The story "The Tiger with Gratitude" is a classical Vietnamese folk tale.

- The story can be divided into two parts:

+ Part 1: From the beginning to "... she survived the difficult year" ⟶ The story of the tiger and Mrs. Tran, the midwife from Dong Trieu.

+ Part 2: The rest ⟶ The story of the tiger and Mr. Mo, the woodcutter from Lang Giang.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 144 of 6th Grade Literature Textbook):

What is the dominant artistic technique used in this story? Why is the story titled "The Tiger with Gratitude" instead of "The Human with Gratitude"?

Detailed solution:

- The dominant artistic technique used is personification, which makes the tiger resemble a human, not only capable of showing gratitude to those who help it but also embodying many human-like qualities: devotion to the female tiger during childbirth, joy at having offspring...

- If the story used a human to symbolize gratitude, its educational meaning would be much less profound. Tigers are known for their fierceness, yet they can still embody gratitude, making the story more powerful than if it had been about humans.

Answer to Question 3 (Page 144 of 6th Grade Literature Textbook):

What happened between Mrs. Tran and the first tiger, and between the woodcutter and the second tiger? Which details from each story do you find interesting? How do the two stories differ in meaning?

Detailed solution:

* The first tiger and Mrs. Tran:

- The tiger rushed to carry Mrs. Tran to the forest to help a female tiger give birth, and after being helped, the tiger showed its gratitude by giving her a silver coin to help her survive the harsh year of famine.

* The second tiger and the woodcutter:

- The tiger, which had a bone stuck in its throat, was saved by the woodcutter who removed the bone. The tiger showed its gratitude by giving the woodcutter a deer. After the woodcutter passed away, the tiger visited his grave, expressing sorrow and bringing offerings of goats or pigs during his memorials.

* Both stories contain fascinating details about the tiger’s gratitude towards humans, which is compelling for the reader.

* The tiger’s expression of gratitude evolves over the course of the two stories. The first tiger shows gratitude once and then moves on; the second tiger continues to show gratitude, even after the benefactor has passed away.

Answer to Question 4 (Page 144 of 6th Grade Literature Textbook):

What moral lesson does "The Tiger with Gratitude" promote regarding human life?

Detailed solution:

The story "The Tiger with Gratitude" promotes the importance of gratitude and kindness in human relationships.

Practice Exercise

Tell the story of a loyal dog.

You could follow this outline:

- Introduce the dog (its name, how it was acquired, or who it belongs to).

- Describe the "loyal" act the dog performed that you have witnessed or heard about. For example:

+ Saving the owner from kidnappers.

+ Protecting the family’s property...

- Reflect on the feelings of animals that live around us.

Author

1. In the history of Vietnamese literature, during the medieval period (10th to 19th centuries), the prose genre in Classical Chinese literature emerged, featuring rich content and often having a moral instructive nature, written differently from modern stories.

2. Medieval Vietnamese stories include both fictional (artistic imagination) and factual (real-life accounts) genres. The plot is generally simple, and characters are often described primarily through the narrator's direct language, their actions, and dialogue (1).

3. The author Vu Trinh (1759–1828), also known by his pen name Duy Chu and other aliases like Lai Son, was born in Xuân Lan village, Lương Tài district, Kinh Bắc region (now Bắc Ninh province). He passed the Hương cống examination at the age of 17 and served under the Le dynasty. Later, during the Nguyen dynasty, he was called to serve as a scholar and was later exiled to Quảng Nam by Gia Long.

Summary

The story "The Tiger with Gratitude" consists of two tales about tigers.

The first story: A midwife named Mrs. Tran from Dong Trieu one night was carried into the forest by a tiger. There, she helped a female tiger deliver its cubs safely. In gratitude, the male tiger gave her a silver coin, which helped her survive a famine year.

The second story: A woodcutter from Lang Giang, while cutting wood, found a tiger with a bone stuck in its throat. After helping remove the bone, the tiger gave him a deer as thanks. After the woodcutter's death, the tiger visited his grave and continued to bring offerings every year.

Main lesson:

The story encourages a life of gratitude and mutual aid, teaching that when one sees a need, they should help, and that gratitude should be repaid.

I. About the genre of classical Vietnamese literature

- In the history of Vietnamese literature, the classical period (usually considered from the 10th century to the end of the 19th century) saw the emergence of prose fiction in Chinese characters. These stories were rich in content and often had a didactic nature, with a style distinct from modern stories.

- This genre includes both fictional (artistic imagination) stories and ones closer to the genre of historical writing, recounting real events. The plotlines were often simple, and characters were typically described through the narrator’s direct speech, actions, and dialogues. The story *Mẹ hiền dạy con* (from the *Liệt nữ truyện* of China) predates many others in the genre, but it can still be categorized as part of classical literature due to its similar writing style.

- *Con hổ có nghĩa* (The Benevolent Tiger) is a fictional story, using a common literary technique of employing animals as metaphors to teach human values, specifically the importance of kindness and moral obligations.

II. Summary of the story *Con hổ có nghĩa*

The story *Con hổ có nghĩa* consists of two separate tales about tigers.

The first story: One night, a midwife named Trần from Đông Triều was carried into the forest by a tiger. Upon arrival, she found a female tiger struggling to give birth and assisted in the delivery. The male tiger, grateful, gifted her with a lump of silver. Thanks to this silver, she survived a famine year.

The second story: A woodcutter from Lạng Giang was chopping wood on a mountain slope when he discovered a tiger choking on a bone. He helped the tiger by removing the bone, and in gratitude, the tiger gave him a deer. After the woodcutter passed away, the tiger visited his grave every year, bringing a goat or pig as an offering.

III. Reading - understanding the text
1 - Page 144 SGK
What genre does this text belong to? How many sections does it have? What does each section talk about?
Answer
This text is a work of prose. The story has two sections:
– The first section tells the story of the tiger and the midwife.
– The second section tells the story of the tiger and the woodcutter.

2 - Page 144 SGK
What central literary technique is used in this story? Why is it a tiger that is depicted as having a sense of duty, rather than a human being?
Answer
The primary literary technique used in *Con hổ có nghĩa* is personification. The story of a tiger exhibiting human-like qualities is meant to create a contrast, emphasizing the lesson of compassion and moral responsibility. Despite being a ferocious animal, the tiger shows a profound sense of duty, highlighting that humans, as more evolved beings, should act with greater kindness and gratitude.

3 - Page 144 SGK
What happened between the midwife Trần (from Đông Triều) and the first tiger, and between the woodcutter (from Lạng Giang) and the second tiger? Which details in each story stand out to you? What additional meaning does the tiger’s story with the woodcutter convey compared to the one with the midwife?
Answer
The first tiger and the midwife Trần:
– Actions:
+ The tiger knocks on the midwife’s door.
+ It holds her hand and looks at the female tiger with tears.
+ It plays joyfully with its cub.
+ The tiger digs up a lump of silver and gifts it to the midwife.
+ It waves its tail and bids farewell with grace.
=> The tiger deeply cares for its wife and is concerned for her safety during the difficult birth. Although the tiger cannot speak, its gestures convey deep appreciation and respect for the midwife’s help.
The second tiger and the woodcutter:
+ The tiger struggles with the bone, trying to remove it.
+ It lays down, opening its mouth in a desperate attempt to ask for help.
+ It thanks the woodcutter with a deer.
+ Over ten years later, when the woodcutter dies, the tiger mourns at the grave, rubbing its head on the coffin, roaring in sorrow.
=> The first tiger only repays the midwife’s kindness once, while the second tiger continues to honor its gratitude throughout its life, even after the woodcutter’s death.

4 - Page 144 SGK
What does the story *Con hổ có nghĩa* promote or encourage in human life?
Answer
The story *Con hổ có nghĩa* promotes the importance of kindness and gratitude in human life. It teaches that one should help others in times of need, and when help is received, one should always remember and repay that kindness.
Suggested writing: Reflect on the story *Con hổ có nghĩa*.

Remember
The story *Con hổ có nghĩa* is a fictional tale that uses a familiar literary technique of employing animals to convey human moral values, emphasizing kindness and gratitude in human relationships.

Practice
Question: Tell a story about a dog that showed loyalty to its owner. If you don’t know a story, ask your parents or someone else to share one with you, and then write your reflections.

Suggested approach
Four years ago, when I was in second grade, my grandfather gave me a small dog, about a few months old, with dark brown fur. I named it Lắc-ki.

As it grew up, Lắc-ki became very strong: broad chest, slim belly, tall legs, and a small head. It had sharp, erect ears and quick, bright eyes. Its nose was black and wet, and it could sniff out mice in the kitchen. Many times, it attacked and killed rats that dared to steal food.

Lắc-ki was very smart. It seemed to understand human speech and intentions. Since I had cared for it since it was small, Lắc-ki became very attached to me. Except when I was at school, it followed me everywhere, like a shadow. It especially loved playing tug-of-war with me, and it always won. Because of its strength, we also called it *Lực sĩ* (The Wrestler).

During the day, Lắc-ki would lie in front of the house, resting its head on its paws, eyes half-closed. It wasn’t sleeping, but guarding the house! At the slightest sound or movement, it would stand up, alert, ears perked. Its barking was loud and commanding. When angry, it could scare off anyone with ill intentions. At night, it seldom slept, patrolling the house. With it around, everyone felt secure.

However, with family members, Lắc-ki was gentle and affectionate. It loved showing its affection by shaking paws, wagging its tail, or lying at our feet waiting for orders. Its loyalty left a lasting impression on me.

Last summer, on an afternoon, my friends Quốc and Tùng invited me to swim in a newly dug canal. This canal brought fresh water to irrigate our fields and nourish our crops.

The bridge across the canal was a place where we boys often gathered to play. That afternoon, after playing games like *Dragon Snake* and *Battle*, we decided to have a swimming race. I accepted, confident in my swimming skills. When the race started, I surged ahead of my friends, eager to win.

But suddenly, my left leg stiffened, and a sharp pain shot through it! I had cramps! Unable to continue swimming, I panicked. The more I called out, the more water flooded into my mouth. I lost my balance and began drifting with the current. I thought I might drown!

In that moment of terror, I grabbed something soft and warm. To my surprise, it was Lắc-ki, my loyal dog! It had bravely jumped into the water to rescue me. Just then, Quốc and Tùng arrived and helped me to safety. Lắc-ki shook off the water and happily ran around me, barking joyfully.

Everyone praised Lắc-ki for saving me, calling it a dog with a great sense of duty. From that day on, my family and I loved Lắc-ki even more.