Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' (Literature 8 - Cánh Diều Textbook)

The Mother of the Areca Garden
(Nguyen Ngoc Tu)

* Key Concepts: This text recounts the author's memories of her maternal grandmother—a heroic mother who exemplifies self-sacrifice and resilience. It sends a message of gratitude and respect for those who have sacrificed their lives for the ideals of revolution, for the cause of peace, and for our nation’s independence. It highlights the power of honoring and admiring our heroic mothers.

1. Preparation.

* Requirements:

• Read the text The Mother of the Areca Garden, and research more about the author Nguyen Ngoc Tu.
• Recall a work that talks about mothers or grandmothers with themes close to this one, and share with others.

Answer:

• Author Nguyen Ngoc Tu: (born 1976 in Tan Duyet Commune, Dam Doi District, Ca Mau Province)
  • She is a writer and a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association. In 2018, she won the Liberaturpreis Literary Award, granted by Litprom (an organization that promotes literature from Asia, Africa, and Latin America in Germany). This award recognizes outstanding contemporary female authors from these regions, with special attention to German translations of their works.
  • Nguyen Ngoc Tu quietly entered the world of literature, gaining recognition after winning the first prize in the Young Writers' Competition organized by the Youth Publishing House. She is best known for her collection titled Endless Fields. This work won the Vietnam Writers' Association's Literary Award in 2006, and the title story was adapted into a film in 2010.
  • Some of her notable works include: Endless Fields, New Year's Eve, The Ocean of People, The Piercing Gaze, The Lamp That Never Dims, Loving Those Who Gaze at the Mountains, Chilly Back, Splendid Sky, Each Person’s Ocean, and more.

• A work that discusses mothers or grandmothers with themes similar to this text: The short story In the Heart of the Mother (by Nguyen Hong), which vividly and emotionally recounts the hardships and love the author felt for his unfortunate and beloved mother during his childhood.

2. Reading Comprehension.

* Answer the following questions:

Question 1. Pay attention to the situation that triggers the protagonist’s memory of the “mother of the areca garden.”

Answer:

• The situation that triggers the protagonist’s memory is when the teacher assigns an essay about “mothers.”

Question 2. Identify the auxiliary and exclamatory words in the text.

Answer:

• Auxiliary words: all, even, just
• Exclamatory words: ancestors, well, huh, yep

Question 3. Pay attention to the dialogue that reflects the circumstances of the “mother of the areca garden.”

Answer:

• The dialogue that reflects the circumstances of the “mother of the areca garden” comes from the father and the protagonist when discussing the “heroic mother.”

Question 4. Pay attention to the dialogue of Uncle Bieu.

Answer:

• Uncle Bieu’s dialogue is warm and full of affection when talking about his mother, while also gently reprimanding his younger sibling for not spending enough time with her.

Question 5. What issues does section (3) raise?

Answer:

• Section (3) raises the lesson of gratitude and respect for our mothers. No matter how much we say about mothers, we cannot fully express their silent sacrifices, their love and care, and their willingness to provide the best for us.

* Answer the final question:

Question 1. What is the short story about? Explain the title The Mother of the Areca Garden.

Answer:

• The short story is about: expressing gratitude and respect in life.
• The title The Mother of the Areca Garden: is concise, vivid, and refers to the image of an elderly mother in the countryside, whose children heroically went to defend the country.

Question 2. What do you think is the theme of the short story The Mother of the Areca Garden?

Answer:

In my opinion, the theme of The Mother of the Areca Garden revolves around people with great self-sacrifice and courage for the larger revolutionary ideals, sacrificing everything for the peace of our nation.

Question 3. From which perspective is the story told? How does the point of view affect the story?

Answer:

• The story is told from the first-person perspective, with the narrator using “I.”
• This perspective allows the reader to experience the protagonist’s emotions, thoughts, and inner voice, giving insight into their feelings about their grandmother.

Question 4. What is notable about the plot of The Mother of the Areca Garden?

Answer:

• The plot of The Mother of the Areca Garden is crafted simply, making it easy for readers to understand the depiction of the grandmother through descriptions and dialogues. It conveys the protagonist’s deep feelings for their grandmother, and the story allows readers to connect emotionally with the character.

Question 5. What are the key details in the portrayal of the “mother of the areca garden”? Which detail stands out to you the most? Why?

Answer:

The key details in the portrayal of the “mother of the areca garden” include:

• The father recalls how he and two other comrades once stood together on the altar, with the comrades being brave and heroic. He mentions that his mother was a heroic mother.
• The mother sold scrap metal.
• The mother carried baskets through the village, delivering letters and food.
• If the comrades were still alive, the mother would have grandchildren now and not be alone.
• I feel a chill when recalling her frail form, her benevolent smile, and her wrinkled, squinting eyes.

The detail that stands out to me most is when the father says that his mother was a heroic mother. I feel deeply moved and increasingly grateful for that silent sacrifice. She was a pillar for her children who went to fight for the country. The concept of a hero was no longer confined to what I originally thought. This makes me feel more thankful and appreciative of the life we have today, thanks to the courage of the previous generations who sacrificed everything for our nation’s peace.

Question 6. Some people believe that through this short story, the author conveys a message about the tradition of “drinking water, remembering its source.” What is your opinion on this? (Write about 8–10 lines.)

Answer:

After reading The Mother of the Areca Garden, the author Nguyen Ngoc Tu brings a profound and meaningful message about the tradition of “drinking water, remembering its source.” Thanks to the immense sacrifices of previous generations, who braved dangers and hardships, we now enjoy a peaceful life without war, bombs, or suffering. The text teaches us to be grateful to the heroes who sacrificed for our nation’s independence and to actively improve ourselves to contribute to building a prosperous and secure nation.

INTERIM QUESTION

Question 1. Identify the auxiliary words and exclamatory words in the text.

=> See the solution guide

• Auxiliary words: cả, đến, chỉ
• Exclamatory words: tiên tổ mầy, nghen, hở, ừ

FINAL QUESTION

Question 1. What is the theme of the short story? Explain the title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'.

=> See the solution guide

• The short story revolves around the themes of gratitude and respect in life.
• The title is succinct and evocative, depicting the image of an elderly mother in her homeland, with brave and heroic children who left to defend the country. The story reflects the author’s memory of his grandmother – a heroic mother full of sacrifice and compassion. The image of the grandmother is closely linked to the betel garden she cultivated. Through this, we learn a lesson about gratitude in life.

Question 2. What do you think the theme of the short story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' is?

=> See the solution guide

In my opinion, the theme of the story is about individuals who possess great sacrifice and courage for a noble revolutionary cause, exchanging it for a peaceful nation.

Question 3. From which perspective is the story narrated? How does this perspective affect the narrative?

=> See the solution guide

The story is told from the first-person perspective. This narrative choice allows the narrator to express emotions, viewpoints, and inner thoughts of the character. As a result, readers can deeply connect with and understand the character's emotions.

Question 4. What is significant about the plot of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

=> See the solution guide

The plot of this story is not like typical short stories. The narrative is told through the character's flashbacks. At the beginning of the story, the author mentions an essay about mothers, with an open prompt, but the narrator cannot figure out where to begin. Then, the narrator starts reminiscing about their grandmother. The story concludes with the narrator’s essay, which received a grade of 4, but the narrator is not upset because they could only write a few lines about their mother.

Question 5. What are the key details in depicting the image of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'? Which detail do you find most striking and why?

=> See the solution guide

• The image of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' is vividly depicted through key details:
  • Father recalls that, back then, he and his two brothers on the altar were comrades, courageous and heroic, and Father called his grandmother a heroic mother.
  • Grandmother sold scrap.
  • Grandmother carried a basket around the village, bringing letters to Father and delivering food and news.
  • If the uncles were still alive, grandmother would have grandchildren now and wouldn’t be living alone.
  • I remember the frail figure, the compassionate smile, and the aged, squinting eyes.

• The detail that most impressed me is when Father said that Grandmother was a heroic mother. Hearing this, I was deeply moved and became even more grateful for her silent sacrifice. She was a solid support for her children as they went to fight to protect the nation. The concept of heroism has changed from the narrator's initial perspective. This makes me more appreciative of life, knowing that the previous generation sacrificed everything to bring peace to the country today.

Question 6. Some people believe that the author of this short story conveys a message about the tradition of 'remembering those who have helped us' in Vietnamese culture. What is your opinion on this? (Write a paragraph of about 6–8 lines).

=> See the solution guide

Through the text 'The Mother of the Betel Garden', author Nguyễn Ngọc Tư sends a message to readers about the Vietnamese tradition of 'remembering those who have helped us'. With simple yet emotionally rich language, the short story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' evokes happy memories of mothers and lessons about repaying their kindness. The image of the grandmother is also that of a heroic Vietnamese mother who made many sacrifices for the country during the war. The story helps us understand, appreciate, and respect those who sacrificed for the revolutionary cause, for the peace of the country, and for heroic mothers.

PREPARATION

Requirements:

• Read the text 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' and gather additional information about the author Nguyễn Ngọc Tư.
• Recall a work about mothers or grandmothers with a theme similar to this text and introduce it to your peers.

=> See the solution guide

• Author Nguyễn Ngọc Tư: (born 1976 in Tân Duyệt, Đầm Dơi, Cà Mau)
• She is a writer and a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association. In 2018, she won the Liberaturpreis Literature Prize 2018 awarded by Litprom (an association promoting literature from Asia, Africa, and Latin America in Germany), based on the outstanding German translations of contemporary female authors in the region. This award is given annually to female authors from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the UAE, and the Caribbean.
• She quietly entered literature and truly shined after winning the First Prize in the 20th Century Literature Contest of the Youth Publishing House. Nguyễn Ngọc Tư is known for her collection 'The Endless Field'. This collection won the Vietnam Writers' Association Award in 2006, and the short story of the same name was adapted into a movie in 2010.
• Some representative works: 'The Endless Field', 'New Year’s Eve', 'Vast Sea of People', 'The Longing Glance', 'The Unfading Light', 'Loving the Person Who Looks to the Mountains', 'The Cold Neck', 'Magnificent Smoke in the Sky', 'The Sea of Each Person',...

• A work about mothers or grandmothers with a similar theme to this text: 'In the Heart of a Mother' (Nguyễn Hồng), a passage that poignantly recounts the hardships and struggles of the author’s childhood, along with the deep love for his unfortunate and deserving mother.

Question 2. What issues are raised in Part 3?

=> See the solution guide

Part (3) raises the lesson of gratitude and respect for mothers. No matter how much we talk about mothers, we can never fully express the silent sacrifices, love, and care they give, always offering the best for us.

EXPANDED REFERENCE SECTION

Question 1. What are the content and artistic values of the story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

=> See the solution guide

• Content value:

Though short, the story carries a profound humanistic value. 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' evokes our happy memories of mothers and lessons on repaying their kindness.

• Artistic value:

The language is simple yet filled with deep emotion.

Preparation

• Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, born in 1976 in Đầm Dơi, Cà Mau, is one of Vietnam's prominent modern authors with several award-winning works. Her writing style, infused with the Southern Vietnamese tone, narrates the tragic yet poignant lives of people through a gentle and sharp lens. Notable works include 'The Unextinguished Lamp,' 'Water Flows, Clouds Drift,' 'Endless Fields,' etc.
• Similar literary works on the theme of mothers and grandmothers that align with this text: 'The Woman Waiting on the Porch' by Huỳnh Như Phương. This story tells of Aunt Bảy, a woman of profound sacrifice. Aunt Bảy’s husband went to the North for military training and later fought in the South, where he died in battle. Even after turning eighty, Aunt Bảy waits alone for Tết, a poignant image of devotion and loss.

Comprehension

Question 1. Identify the particles and interjections in the text.

• Particles: both, even, only
• Interjections: oh my ancestors, hey, well, yes, so

Question 2. What themes does section (3) open up for discussion?

Section (3) introduces themes of gratitude and respect for mothers.

Answering Questions

Question 1. What is the theme of the short story? Explain the title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'.

Theme: Gratitude, appreciation.

The title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden': The image of 'the mother of the betel garden' symbolizes the simple, hardworking, and self-sacrificing Vietnamese mothers, embodying heroism in their everyday lives.

Question 2. In your opinion, what is the theme of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

Theme: Gratitude and repaying kindness.

Question 3. What narrative point of view is used? How does this affect the storytelling?

The first-person perspective.

Effect: This perspective allows the protagonist to share their subjective experiences, offering the reader a deeper understanding of events through a child's eyes, resulting in varied interpretations of the story.

Question 4. What stands out in the plot of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

The plot features unusual moments that mirror the fragmented thoughts of a child, breaking conventional storytelling structure. It incorporates a true story of Vietnamese heroic mothers, honoring their sacrifice and conveying deep gratitude.

Question 5. How is the image of 'the mother of the betel garden' depicted in the story? Which detail left the strongest impression on you, and why?

The image of 'the mother of the betel garden' is portrayed through details like her frail appearance, her beaming smile, and her aging, squinting eyes...

The detail that left the strongest impression on me was 'Welcoming Dad, Grandma is frail, smiling widely' because it illustrates the joy of a mother when her child returns home.

Question 6. Some believe that through 'The Mother of the Betel Garden,' the author conveys the message of the Vietnamese tradition 'drinking water, remembering the source.' What is your opinion? (Write your answer in a paragraph of 8-10 lines.)

In 'The Mother of the Betel Garden,' the author sends a clear message about the Vietnamese tradition of 'drinking water, remembering the source.' This is a valid interpretation. Vietnam's more than four thousand years of history have been marked by countless battles for peace. Many mothers, like the grandmother in the story, lost their children in the struggle for national independence. Survivors like the protagonist's father honored these sacrifices by caring for the mothers of fallen comrades. Through this story, we are reminded to honor and respect the heroic mothers of Vietnam, like the grandmother of the betel garden.

1. Preparation

Requirements (page 25, Literature 8, Volume 1):

• Read the text 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' and learn more about the writer Nguyễn Ngọc Tư.
• Recall a literary work about mothers or grandmothers with themes similar to this one to share with your classmates.

Answer:

• Writer Nguyễn Ngọc Tư: (born in 1976 in Tan Duyet commune, Dam Doi district, Ca Mau province)
  • She is a writer and a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association. In 2018, she won the Liberaturpreis Literary Award 2018, granted by Litprom (the association promoting literature from Asia, Africa, and Latin America in Germany), recognizing the excellence of German translations of works by prominent contemporary female authors from these regions. This award is given annually to honor female authors from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the UAE, and the Caribbean.
  • She quietly entered the world of literature and truly shone after winning the first prize at the 20th Age Literature Competition hosted by the Youth Publishing House. Nguyễn Ngọc Tư is best known for her short story collection 'The Endless Field'. This collection received the Vietnam Writers' Association's award in 2006, and the titular story was adapted into a film in 2010.
  • Some notable works: 'The Endless Field', 'The New Year', 'The Vast Sea of People', 'The Pained Gaze', 'The Light That Never Goes Out', 'Loving the One Who Waits for the Mountains', 'The Back is Cold', 'The Magnificent Sky', 'The Sea of Each Person', etc.

• A work about mothers or grandmothers with themes similar to this text: 'In the Mother's Heart' by Nguyên Hồng, a passage that realistically and movingly recounts the hardships and sorrows, along with the burning love the writer felt as a child toward her unfortunate and tragic mother.

2. Reading Comprehension

* Main content: The text discusses the author's memories of her maternal grandmother, a heroic mother full of sacrifice and sympathy. Through this, the text conveys a message of gratitude and respect for those who sacrificed for the revolutionary cause, for peace and independence, and for heroic mothers.
* Answer the questions in the middle of the text:

Question 1 (page 26, Literature 8, Volume 1): Pay attention to the situation that evokes the character 'I' to remember the image of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden'.
Answer:
The situation that evokes 'I' to remember the image of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden': The teacher assigned a writing topic about 'Mothers'.

Question 2 (page 26, Literature 8, Volume 1): Identify the particles and exclamatory words in the text.
Answer:

• Particles: cả, đến, chỉ
• Exclamatory words: tiên tổ mầy, nghen, hở, ừ

Question 3 (page 28, Literature 8, Volume 1): Pay attention to the dialogues that depict the circumstances of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden'.
Answer:

The dialogues that depict the circumstances of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden': are spoken by the father and the character 'I' when discussing the 'heroic mother'.

Question 4 (page 28, Literature 8, Volume 1): Pay attention to the dialogue of the character Uncle Biểu.
Answer:

• Dialogue of Uncle Biểu: Warm and affectionate when talking about his mother, yet he also expresses disappointment that his brother doesn't take the time to care for her.

Question 5 (page 29, Literature 8, Volume 1): What issues does part (3) raise?

Answer:

• Part (3) raises a lesson about gratitude and respect for mothers. No matter how much we talk about mothers, we can never fully express the silent sacrifices, the love, care, and the best of everything they give us.
  
  * Answer the final questions:

Question 1 (page 29, Literature 8, Volume 1): What is the theme of the short story? Explain the title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'.
Answer:

• The short story's theme: expresses gratitude and respect in life.
• The title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden': concise and meaningful when referring to the image of an elderly mother in the countryside, with children who boldly and heroically went to protect the country.

Question 2 (page 29, Literature 8, Volume 1): In your opinion, what is the theme of the short story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

Answer: In my opinion, the theme of the short story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' speaks about people full of sacrifice and heroism for a noble revolutionary cause, who have traded their lives for the peace of our nation.

Answer:

• The story is told from the first-person perspective, with the character 'I' narrating.
• Effect: It allows the reader to feel the emotions, the perspective, and the inner voice of the character 'I' when expressing their feelings about their grandmother.

Question 4 (page 29, Literature 8, Volume 1): What is notable about the plot of the text 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

Answer:
The plot of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' is relatable and effectively conveys its message through descriptive details and the dialogue of characters, portraying the feelings and affection of the character 'I' toward their grandmother.

Answer:
The image of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden' is represented by key details:

• The father recalls that he and his two friends on the altar were comrades, and those comrades were courageous and heroic, describing his mother as a heroic mother.
• Grandmother sold scrap metal.
• Grandmother carried a basket, walking to the edge of the village. She delivered letters to her son and brought food and news.
• If only those comrades were still alive, grandmother would have grandchildren by now and wouldn't have to live alone.
• I shiver, remembering her frail figure, her kind smile, and her squinted old eyes.

The detail that stands out to me the most is when the father says that his mother is a heroic mother. This deeply moved me and made me even more grateful for her silent sacrifices. She was the solid support for her children who went to fight for the country. And the concept of a hero was no longer the stereotypical idea the character 'I' had initially thought. Through this, I feel even more appreciative and respectful of life today, thanks to those who bravely sacrificed everything to bring peace to our country.

Preparation 1

Question 1 (page 25, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

Read the story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' and gather additional information about the author Nguyễn Ngọc Tư.

Solution:

Research information about the author Nguyễn Ngọc Tư.

Detailed Answer:

• Nguyễn Ngọc Tư (born 1976) was raised in a farming family in Tân Duyệt, Đầm Dơi, Cà Mau province.
• She is an author and a member of the Vietnam Writers' Association.

Preparation 2

Question 2 (page 25, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

Recall a literary work that portrays a mother or grandmother, with a theme similar to this story, and introduce it to your friends.

Solution:

Recall and reflect on a work that discusses motherhood.

Detailed Answer:

One example of a work about mothers: 'À Ơi Tay Mẹ'; 'Mẹ và Quả'...

Comprehension 1

Question 1 (page 26, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

Identify auxiliary verbs and exclamations in the text.

Solution:

Read the text carefully and apply your knowledge of auxiliary verbs and exclamations.

Detailed Answer:

Auxiliary verb: là,

Exclamation: Ôi dào

Comprehension 2

Question 2 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

What issues are raised in part (3)?

Solution:

Read part (3) carefully.

Detailed Answer:

The indifference toward mothers, the idea that the sacrifices made by mothers cannot be fully captured in just a few lines of text.

Conclusion 1

Question 1 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

What is the story's central theme? Explain the title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'.

Solution:

Read the text and answer the question.

Detailed Answer:

• Theme: Gratitude towards heroic Vietnamese mothers.
• The title: 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' refers to a mother who made sacrifices for the revolution, losing her children for the nation. She is referred to by her location because, in this land, there are many heroic Vietnamese mothers whose names are unknown.

Conclusion 2

Question 2 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

What do you think is the main message of the story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

Solution:

Read the text and summarize the theme.

Detailed Answer:

Theme: Gratitude and the importance of remembering one's roots.

Conclusion 3

Question 3 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)
What narrative perspective is used in the story? How does this affect the reader's understanding of the events?

Solution:

Read the story and answer the question.

Detailed Answer:

The first-person perspective.
Effect: It gives readers a subjective view of the events, allowing them to interpret the story from a child’s perspective, which offers different insights into the narrative.

Conclusion 4

Question 4 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

What is significant about the plot of the story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

Solution:

Read the text carefully.

Detailed Answer:

The plot contains unique moments that resemble a child’s unstructured thoughts, blending real-life stories of heroic Vietnamese mothers with expressions of deep gratitude.

Conclusion 5

Question 5 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

How is the image of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' depicted? Which detail left the greatest impression on you? Why?

Solution:

Read part (1) carefully.

Detailed Answer:

The image of the 'Mother of the Betel Garden' is illustrated with details like a frail frame, a wide smile revealing her teeth, a warm, aging gaze...

The detail that impressed me the most is 'Welcoming dad, a frail grandmother, smiling with a toothy grin' because it portrays the mother’s joy when her child visits.

Conclusion 6

Question 6 (page 29, Literature 8, Vol. 1)

Some believe the story conveys the message about the Vietnamese tradition of 'remembering one’s roots'. What is your opinion on this? (Write a paragraph of 8-10 lines).

Solution:

State your opinion and provide reasonable explanation.

Detailed Answer:

Through the story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden', Nguyễn Ngọc Tư aims to remind readers of the traditional Vietnamese value of 'remembering one's roots'. Gratitude has become a cherished tradition, especially as the nation endured two major wars in the 20th century. Many lives were lost for the country’s independence, including the mothers who waved their children off to war. After peace was restored, people became too focused on daily survival, forgetting the sacrifices made. However, the past remains unchanged, just like the image of the mother waiting for the former soldiers to visit her in old age. This story serves as a reminder to those who have forgotten the past that we must honor the generations before us who gave us the life we have today.

Question 1: What is the theme of the short story? Explain the title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'.

The short story is about a mother. The title 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' is simple yet deeply meaningful. Upon reading the title, a vivid image emerges of a loving mother in a betel garden, a plant common in rural Vietnam. This leads us into the story of a heroic mother, who sacrificed everything for her country but lives in solitude, spending her days alone in the garden, making us feel sympathy for her.

Question 2: In your opinion, what is the central theme of the story?

In my view, the theme of the short story revolves around a heroic mother who silently and selflessly sacrificed for a peaceful country, as we have today.

Question 3: Who is the narrator of the story? How does the narrative perspective affect the story?

The story is narrated by the character 'I', meaning it is written in the first-person perspective. This perspective makes the story more authentic as the reader is able to experience the emotions and deep thoughts of the characters through 'I's eyes.

Question 4: What is notable about the plot of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden'?

The plot of 'The Mother of the Betel Garden' is quite unique. Although the story covers simple, everyday topics, it contains deep, heartfelt emotions that make it touching. The author begins the story with the narrator having to write an essay about mothers but struggling to find the right words, so they reflect on their grandmother 'the betel garden', their father’s mother. The narrative then shifts to flashbacks about their grandmother, ending with the narrator receiving a low score for their essay but remaining content, saying: 'How can one truly capture a mother in just a few lines?' This is a unique and engaging plot that offers a refreshing perspective on stories about mothers.

Question 5: How is the image of 'the mother of the betel garden' depicted? Which detail stands out to you most? Why?

• The image of 'the mother of the betel garden' is portrayed with several notable details:
  • Grandmother's house in the betel garden is small, with a leaking thatched roof; she greets visitors with a wide smile, showing all her teeth.
  • When the narrator’s family visits on the anniversary of Uncle Sơn’s death, the simple yet warm meal includes sour fish soup, salted fish, and water lily stems.
  • Many relatives also arrive, calling the grandmother 'Mom'. The narrator wonders why so many people refer to her this way.
  • The narrator is carried by their grandmother on a hammock and led to the garden to play, while their father and others reminisce.
  • That night, after hearing stories about the grandmother, the narrator expresses their desire to sleep with her.
  • Every time the narrator's family visits, the grandmother prepares fruits to send back with them.

• The detail that stands out the most is when the narrator says that every time they visit, the grandmother always prepares fruits to send home. This simple act shows the grandmother’s love for her children and grandchildren, even though they are not her biological children, she showers them with the boundless affection of a real mother and grandmother.

Question 6: Some people believe that through this short story, the author wants to convey the message of the tradition of 'drinking water, remembering its source'. What is your opinion? (Write a paragraph of about 6-8 lines).

Through the short story 'The Mother of the Betel Garden', the author indeed conveys the message of the traditional value 'drinking water, remembering its source', which I believe is true. Our country, Vietnam, with its more than four thousand years of civilization, has endured countless struggles to achieve peace. In these wars, many, like the grandmother of the betel garden, lost their children, who gave their lives for the country's independence. The surviving comrades, such as the narrator's father, treated the fallen comrades’ mothers as their own, showing them respect and care. The story helps us understand and appreciate the heroic Vietnamese mothers, like the grandmother in the betel garden.