1. Essay Sample 4
Author Ta Duy Anh is known for his creative, unique writing style that is both sincere and simple yet deeply emotional, touching the hearts of readers. In the short story "The Picture of My Sister", he explores the sacred bond of family and sibling love, illustrating the closeness between brother and sister, like hands and feet. The character of the younger sister, Kieu Phuong, is particularly endearing and moves many readers.
Kieu Phuong and her brother have been close since childhood. However, she has a passion for painting and often gets dirty with paint, causing her to be teased by her brother, who calls her "the lazy cat." But she actually enjoys this nickname.
One day, Mr. Tien Le, a friend of their father, visited and discovered Kieu Phuong's talent. This caused some tension between the siblings, as her brother began to scold her over trivial things, despite her actions being harmless. Kieu Phuong was sad, often finding her brother lost in thought by the window.
She entered a children's art competition and won first place, bringing joy to the family, but also a mixture of pride and jealousy from her brother. He feared that he would never be as talented or admired as his sister and that this might cause him to lose his parents' affection. However, the brother eventually understood that through her painting, Kieu Phuong's love for him was clear, and all misunderstandings were resolved.
Author Ta Duy Anh beautifully captured the essence of a child's soul, making the emotions and personalities of his characters deeply authentic and moving.


2. Essay Sample 5
The short story "The Picture of My Sister" by Ta Duy Anh portrays the character of Kieu Phuong – a young girl with truly admirable qualities.
Initially, the author presents Kieu Phuong as a sweet and innocent girl. Her brother affectionately nicknames her "the Cat." Her face is often smeared with dirt as she pursues her love for painting, even going so far as to scrape the bottoms of pots and pans to create her own paints. Her brother discovers this, but instead of reacting with understanding, he dismisses her eccentricities.
It is Mr. Tien Le, a friend of their father, who first recognizes Kieu Phuong’s talent. He exclaims that she is "a painting genius" and that her works "could be framed and displayed in any gallery." This discovery brings great joy to her parents, who eagerly support her artistic pursuits, buying her all the materials she needs for painting. Mr. Tien Le even gifts her a professional set of paints. However, her brother grows increasingly distant, feeling inadequate as he struggles to find any talents of his own, leading to growing tension between the siblings. While Kieu Phuong continues to flourish in her art, her brother grows more frustrated with her, resenting her success and his own perceived lack of achievement.
Despite her brother’s coldness and harsh words, Kieu Phuong remains devoted to him. Her genuine warmth and generosity are evident, especially when she wins first place in a painting competition with a piece titled "My Brother". When the news reaches the family, everyone is overjoyed. Kieu Phuong runs to hug her brother, but he pushes her away, claiming to be busy. Undeterred, Kieu Phuong whispers, "I want you to join me to accept the prize." Her actions demonstrate her sensitivity and deep affection for her brother, even as she senses the change in his feelings towards her. Her unwavering kindness and love for him shine through, despite his rejection.
Through Kieu Phuong's character, the author emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the power of unconditional love.


3. Essay Sample 6
The short story "The Picture of My Sister" by Ta Duy Anh is a remarkable work, with the character of Kieu Phuong standing out in particular.
Kieu Phuong is introduced through the perspective of her older brother. She is portrayed as a playful and innocent girl, often mischievous but irresistibly lovable. Her brother nicknames her "the Cat" because her face is frequently smeared with dirt. Despite this, Kieu Phuong embraces the nickname and uses it affectionately with her friends. She often rummages through household items, even scraping the bottoms of pots and pans to make her own paints. When her brother scolds her for this, she responds cheerfully, saying, "I'm a Cat! As long as I don't break anything, it's fine." While she is playful, she is also dutiful, completing her household chores without complaint.
Not only is Kieu Phuong mischievous, but she also has a remarkable talent for painting. This talent is discovered by Mr. Tien Le, a family friend. As an artist himself, Mr. Tien is astonished by her work, exclaiming, "Your daughter is a painting genius!" Her father is equally surprised, saying, "Is it really my daughter, the same one who rummages through things and makes a mess?" Her mother, moved by the praise from Mr. Tien, is filled with pride. Her parents joyfully buy her all the necessary supplies for painting, and Mr. Tien even gifts her a professional set of paints. Despite her newfound talent, Kieu Phuong remains humble and maintains her innocent, playful nature, always getting dirty while painting, and becoming visibly deflated when her brother scolds her.
What truly makes Kieu Phuong special is her pure heart and kindness. Despite her brother's coldness and irritation towards her, she continues to love him deeply. She paints a picture titled "My Brother" with all her affection and dedication. When she wins first place with her painting, she eagerly wants to share the moment with her brother, saying, "I want you to go with me to accept the award." Her simple words and actions reflect her deep love for him, even as she senses his reluctance. Through this gesture, the brother eventually understands his sister's feelings and recognizes his own mistakes.
Through Kieu Phuong's character, the author beautifully illustrates the importance of family bonds and the depth of sibling love. The short story offers a touching portrayal of familial affection, and the character of Kieu Phuong is brought to life in a vivid and heartfelt manner.


4. Sample Essay 7
Ta Duy Anh is a prominent young writer from the era of Vietnam's renovation, and one of his most celebrated short stories is "The Picture of My Sister". In this story, the theme of innocent love and kindness is beautifully embodied through the character of Kieu Phuong.
From her brother’s perspective, Kieu Phuong is a mischievous yet utterly lovable girl. When her brother affectionately calls her “the Cat,” she happily embraces the nickname and even uses it to refer to her friends. Kieu Phuong is often seen rummaging through the house, creating her own paints by scraping the bottoms of pots and pans. When her brother scolds her, she nonchalantly replies, “I’m the Cat! As long as I don’t break anything, it’s fine.”
Along with her playful nature, Kieu Phuong also displays remarkable artistic talent. One day, Mr. Tien Le, a family friend and artist, discovers her skill when he sees her paintings. He exclaims, “You are truly blessed! Did you know your daughter is a painting genius?” Her father, surprised by her talent, remarks, “Is it really my daughter, the one who rummages through things? Wow, I didn’t expect this!” Her mother, deeply moved by the praise from Mr. Tien, is filled with pride. Her parents eagerly buy her everything she needs for painting, and Mr. Tien even gifts her a set of high-quality paints. Yet, Kieu Phuong remains unchanged—still tinkering with materials, making her own paints, and always with a messy face. Even when praised for her talent, she remains playful and affectionate.
What stands out the most, however, is Kieu Phuong’s unwavering affection for her older brother, despite his coldness toward her. She pours her love into a painting titled “My Brother,” which she submits for a competition. Her painting wins first place, and Kieu Phuong wishes for her brother to accompany her to accept the award, saying, “I want you to come with me to receive the prize.” When her brother sees the painting, he is shocked, moved, and a bit ashamed. He finally realizes the depth of his sister’s love and kindness.
Thus, “The Picture of My Sister” is a poignant story about the profound bond between siblings. Kieu Phuong’s character leaves a lasting impression on readers who admire the work of Ta Duy Anh.


5. Sample Essay 8
"The Picture of My Sister" is a classic short story by Ta Duy Anh, showcasing the image of Kieu Phuong—a sweet, talented girl with a heart full of love.
First, Kieu Phuong is portrayed as an adorable and innocent girl, seen through the eyes of her older brother. At home, she is lovingly called “the Cat.” She loves creating her own paints by scraping the bottoms of pots and pans and rummaging through household items. Her face is often smeared with dirt from her activities. When her brother scolds her, she innocently responds, “I’m the Cat! As long as I don’t break anything, it’s fine.” Kieu Phuong cheerfully does her chores while singing songs.
Not only is she playful, but Kieu Phuong also possesses an artistic talent. Her father’s friend, Mr. Tien Le, an artist, discovers this talent when he sees her paintings. He is so impressed that he calls her a “painting genius” and says her artwork could be framed and hung in any gallery. Her parents are overjoyed by this discovery. Her father is amazed: “Is this really my daughter, the one who’s always rummaging around?” He’s truly surprised, while her mother is moved by Mr. Tien’s praise. Mr. Tien even gifts Kieu Phuong a set of high-quality paints. Yet, despite the newfound recognition, Kieu Phuong remains the same playful girl—still making paints, rummaging through things, and with a dirty face. Her older brother, however, grows more distant and frustrated, feeling overshadowed by his sister’s talent.
Despite her brother’s coldness and frustration, Kieu Phuong continues to love him dearly. She expresses her affection through a painting titled “My Brother,” which wins first place in a competition. When her family hears the news, they celebrate, and Kieu Phuong runs to hug her brother. He pushes her away, claiming to be too busy, but Kieu Phuong whispers, “I want you to come with me to receive the prize.” Her love for her brother is pure and sincere.
In the end, Kieu Phuong’s character shines with authenticity. Her love and kindness help her brother recognize his own flaws and mistakes.


6. Reference Essay 1
Tạ Duy Anh is an author known for his unique writing style, which is both charming and profound. One of his most notable works is the short story 'The Picture of My Sister,' a tale that lingers in the hearts of readers long after they turn the pages. Particularly memorable is the character of Kieu Phuong, the younger sister, whose image resonates deeply with the audience.
The story is told from the first-person perspective of the older brother, whose emotional journey drives the narrative. His fluctuating feelings are explored throughout the story, but it is the character of Kieu Phuong who brings balance and beauty to the plot. She is portrayed as innocent, humble, sincere, and profound, with her inner beauty shining through the paintings she creates.
Kieu Phuong is a cheerful, playful girl with a deep love for painting. This passion is reflected in her daily routines, such as using recycled materials to mix paints. Despite her brother calling her 'Cat' for rummaging through things, Kieu Phuong accepts it cheerfully and proudly shares her creations with her friends. Her conversations with her brother further illustrate her playful, innocent, and endearing nature: 'With a puffed-up face, she says, 'I won’t break anything, the Cat!' Even when her brother expresses irritation, she remains calm and playful. Tạ Duy Anh skillfully crafts this lovable character, evoking a strong sense of affection from readers.
Not only is she playful, but Kieu Phuong also demonstrates remarkable talent in painting. Her passion is discovered by Mr. Tien Le, a family friend, which fuels her ambition to become a professional artist. Her parents are thrilled by her talent, with her father saying, 'You’ve truly amazed me,' and her mother moved to tears. However, her older brother, feeling envious of her success, grows increasingly cold and harsh. Despite this, Kieu Phuong’s love and respect for him never wavers.
What truly touches the reader is the love Kieu Phuong expresses for her brother through her award-winning painting. Despite his jealousy and disdain for her, she holds no resentment. The painting portrays a young boy with bright eyes gazing out the window, a moment of profound beauty. This image deeply moves the reader, highlighting the powerful bond between siblings. The painting 'awakens' the brother’s heart, allowing him to see his sister in a new light—full of regret, shame, and gratitude.
Kieu Phuong is not only a delightful, innocent, and talented girl but also a compassionate and forgiving soul, admired by everyone around her. Tạ Duy Anh’s deep understanding of the world of children allows him to infuse Kieu Phuong with qualities that resonate with readers.
The author’s gentle, introspective storytelling leaves readers with a deep affection for Kieu Phuong, while also celebrating the heartfelt bond between siblings.


7. Reference Essay 2
'The Picture of My Sister' by Tạ Duy Anh is a deeply moving story about the selfless love and understanding of a younger sister towards her brother. At the end of the book, readers are touched by the pure-hearted, talented Kieu Phuong, whose compassionate nature helps her brother realize his own shortcomings.
Kieu Phuong, a delightful and innocent girl affectionately nicknamed 'Cat,' got her nickname due to the constant dirt on her face from her playful habits. She has a deep passion for art, and to satisfy this love, she creates her own paint by scraping the bottoms of cooking pots and pans. Her brother discovers this quirky activity, but instead of questioning her, he simply ignores it.
Kieu Phuong’s artistic talent is only discovered when Quynh, a friend of her father’s, visits. The two young girls confide in each other, and Kieu Phuong reveals her secret to her friend. Upon seeing her paintings, Mr. Tien Le, a family friend, is astonished and declares her to be 'a natural-born artist,' saying her works 'could hang in any art gallery.' Everyone is thrilled by her talent—her parents eagerly purchase art supplies for her, and Mr. Tien Le gifts her a professional set of paints. However, her brother grows more frustrated and distant, feeling that he lacks any talents of his own. He pulls further away from her, while Kieu Phuong continues to develop her skills, her face 'always dirty' from her work. Even when her brother scolds her, she merely 'pouts' in response. Her actions only irritate him more.
What surprises the reader most is that despite her brother’s disdain and harsh words, Kieu Phuong continues to love him deeply. Her heart remains warm and forgiving, as seen when she enters her painting 'My Brother' into a competition and wins first prize. The family celebrates, and Kieu Phuong rushes to hug her brother. He pushes her away, citing that he’s busy, but Kieu Phuong persists, whispering to him, 'I want you to come and receive the prize with me.' She is sensitive and perceptive enough to recognize his change in behavior, yet she remains unaffected by it. Even when he rejects her, she continues to offer her love and kindness, showing a pure and gentle spirit. Through these simple actions and words, the reader can see the depth of Kieu Phuong’s sincerity and innocence.
The beauty of Kieu Phuong is best captured through her brother’s narrative, making her character feel even more real. It is her compassionate heart that ultimately transforms her brother, helping him overcome his selfishness.


8. Reference Example 3
The short story “My Sister’s Painting” by Ta Duy Anh is a representative literary work that depicts the character of Kieu Phuong, a kind-hearted younger sister, whose kindness shines through in the eyes of her older brother.
Kieu Phuong’s beauty is not perceived from the subjective view of others, nor is it expressed by the character herself, but rather gradually revealed through the perspective and narrative of her brother.
She is an innocent and mischievous little girl. When called “Cat”, she happily accepts the nickname and even uses it to refer to her friends. Her innocence is further shown when, at home, she plays around with objects with great joy. Even more innocent is her cheeky remark, “Mèo (Cat) is fine, as long as I don’t break anything.” When her brother expresses disapproval, she cheerfully responds, “Aren’t you going to stop me from playing?” While making paint, she sings, clearly enjoying herself. Truly, what an innocent and lovely girl!
What’s even more endearing is her artistic talent, which, according to Uncle Tiến Lê, is a true artistic gift. This talent is demonstrated through six unique paintings that her brother never expected, paintings that could easily be displayed in any gallery. Her father exclaims in delight, “Oh, you’ve given me the biggest surprise, my child.” Her mother can’t hold back her tears of emotion. Kieu Phuong’s talent is further confirmed when she wins first place in an international art camp, causing the entire family to celebrate joyously. However, the brother is left feeling sad. Understanding this, Kieu Phuong expresses pure love towards him, especially through the painting “My Brother”. In this piece, Kieu Phuong reveals herself as a girl with a pure and loving heart. Looking at this painting is like looking into the innocent soul of the younger sister, allowing the brother to see himself more clearly and overcome his feelings of pride and inferiority: “Am I truly that perfect in your eyes?” This is when the brother’s character begins to awaken, leading him to improve his own integrity.
“My Sister’s Painting” is not created using conventional art materials. Instead, it is drawn through the emotional journey of the brother, told through his deeply touching narrative. This is the beauty of a young girl in ordinary life, someone you could encounter anywhere in the country.


