Vietnamese fairy tales - Eating Starfruit and Paying Gold And The Smart Boy.
Folk tale
Eating Starfruit and Paying Gold.
In a distant kingdom, there was a wealthy and powerful king, but he had no heir. The king dreamed that one day, his kingdom would be ruled by a worthy and talented individual, but he didn't know how to find that person.
Finally, the king decided to organize a competition for all the young men in the kingdom. He ordered each participant to be given a seed, which would grow into a type of fruit or plant. Those who yielded the best results would be chosen as the king's heir.
People from different social classes all participated in the competition, hoping for a bright future and fame. Among the participants was a poor young man named Tich. He lived with his mother, a kind but extremely poor woman.
While everyone else hurried to plant and nurture their seeds, Tich placed his seed in a pot and waited. People often mocked Tich, saying he was too foolish to participate in the competition. But Tich paid no attention to the taunts. He believed that something magical was about to happen. As days passed, the peach trees of others grew vigorously and bore much fruit.
Meanwhile, Tich's pot remained empty without any sign of growth. People laughed at him, thinking he had missed his chance and was a failure. But one day, when all the other peach trees were full of fruit and had been brought before the king, the peach tree in Tich's pot began to grow. The special thing was that its fruit was not a normal peach, but glittering golden peaches.
Everyone was amazed and praised Tich for his intelligence and patience. The king was also impressed and decided to choose Tich as his heir. The competition ended with a happy conclusion: a young man, though poor, but intelligent and patient, was chosen as the heir to the kingdom. Tich not only brought fame to himself but also became a symbol of justice and filial piety.
The Smart Boy.
In a small village, there was a boy named Minh, known for his intelligence and creativity. Minh lived with his mother, a kind and loving woman who cherished her son deeply.
Despite their modest lifestyle, they remained cheerful and happy. One day, Minh's village faced a major threat as a fierce dragon emerged from a cave in the high mountains. This dragon spread terror and destruction along its path, causing panic and fear in the village as no one dared to confront the monstrous creature directly.
However, Minh was undaunted. Instead, he was determined to find a smart solution to the problem without causing further harm to his village. Minh began researching the dragon by listening to stories from the villagers and seeking information from ancient books. He realized that the dragon was not entirely evil but felt threatened and isolated. After gathering enough information, Minh devised his plan. Instead of using force to defeat the dragon, he decided to utilize his intellect and creativity.
Minh started building a clever trap using materials readily available in the area. He also used parts of old items to create paintings and symbols that the dragon could relate to. Once the trap was set, Minh adjusted his plan. Instead of capturing the dragon, he chose to use his intelligence to tame the beast.
When the dragon fell into the trap, Minh approached it and began a conversation. He did not threaten or harm the dragon; instead, he tried to understand its issues and find a peaceful resolution. In the end, Minh and the dragon reached an agreement.
The dragon promised to leave the village and cause no more chaos, while Minh pledged to help the dragon find a safer and happier place. News of Minh's success spread throughout the village, and everyone was grateful and respected this intelligent boy. Minh became a symbol of intelligence, creativity, and courage, and his story of cleverness was passed down through generations in the village.
About the Creator
Benjamin Franklin: The Mind That Helped Build a Nation
Benjamin Franklin was not born into greatness; he built it piece by piece with curiosity, discipline, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children in a modest household. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soap, honest work but not the kind that promised wealth or status. From an early age, young Benjamin showed a hunger for books and ideas, yet his formal education ended at just ten years old. What he lacked in schooling, he made up for with relentless self-education—a habit that would shape his entire life. Apprentice to a Printer At twelve, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, a printer. The print shop became Benjamin’s classroom. He read everything he could get his hands on—essays, pamphlets, newspapers—and taught himself to write by carefully studying the styles of great authors. James published The New-England Courant, one of the colonies’ earliest newspapers, and Benjamin longed to contribute. Because his brother would not take him seriously, Franklin wrote letters under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood,” pretending to be a witty widow. The letters were published and widely admired. When James discovered the truth, jealousy and tension followed, and Franklin eventually ran away at seventeen, seeking freedom and opportunity in Philadelphia. Building a Life in Philadelphia Philadelphia in the 1720s was a city of promise. Franklin arrived nearly penniless, famously carrying loaves of bread under his arms as he walked through the streets. Yet he possessed something more valuable than money: determination. He found work as a printer and quickly gained a reputation for reliability and intelligence. Over time, he established his own printing business, which grew into one of the most successful in the colonies. Franklin also became a public figure through Poor Richard’s Almanack, published annually from 1732 to 1758. Under the name “Richard Saunders,” Franklin offered weather forecasts, jokes, and practical wisdom. Sayings like “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” reflected his belief in hard work and common sense. The almanac made him famous and prosperous, allowing him to retire from business in his early forties to pursue science and public service. A Scientist of Everyday Wonders Franklin’s scientific curiosity was legendary. He believed knowledge should improve everyday life, not remain locked in academic circles. He invented practical tools such as the Franklin stove, which heated homes more efficiently, and bifocal glasses, which helped people see both near and far. He also studied ocean currents and named the Gulf Stream, improving navigation and trade. His most famous scientific experiment involved electricity. In 1752, Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm, demonstrating that lightning was a form of electricity. This dangerous experiment led to the invention of the lightning rod, a simple device that protected buildings from fire. Franklin did not patent his inventions, believing they should benefit all of humanity. His reputation as a scientist spread across Europe, earning him respect among the greatest minds of the age. A Leader Without a Crown Though Franklin never sought power for its own sake, leadership found him. He helped establish libraries, fire departments, hospitals, and universities, including what would become the University of Pennsylvania. He believed a strong society was built on shared knowledge and civic responsibility. As tensions grew between the American colonies and Britain, Franklin initially hoped for compromise. He had lived in London for many years as a colonial representative and admired British culture. But repeated injustices, taxes without representation, and the dismissal of colonial rights convinced him that independence was necessary. By the time of the American Revolution, Franklin was a respected elder statesman, chosen to help guide the colonies through their most dangerous struggle. Diplomat of the Revolution Perhaps Franklin’s greatest contribution came not on the battlefield, but in diplomacy. Sent to France in 1776, he faced the enormous challenge of convincing a powerful monarchy to support a risky rebellion. Franklin’s charm, wit, and reputation worked wonders. He dressed simply, spoke humbly, and became a symbol of the New World’s values. French philosophers admired him; common people celebrated him. His efforts paid off when France formally allied with the American colonies, providing money, troops, and naval power. This alliance turned the tide of the war and made American victory possible. Without Franklin’s diplomacy, the Revolution might have failed. Shaping a New Nation After the war, Franklin returned home as a hero. Though elderly and in poor health, he continued to serve. In 1787, at the age of 81, he attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. While he did not speak often, his words carried great weight. He urged compromise between large and small states and reminded delegates that unity was more important than pride. His calm wisdom helped shape the United States Constitution. Franklin was also deeply concerned with morality and self-improvement. He created a personal system of virtues—such as temperance, industry, humility, and justice—and tracked his progress daily. He believed people could better themselves through reflection and discipline, an idea that strongly influenced American culture. Final Years and Lasting Legacy Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84. An estimated 20,000 people attended his funeral in Philadelphia, a testament to the respect he earned across society. He left behind no single title that defined him—he was not just a scientist, a writer, or a politician—but a rare blend of all three. Franklin’s legacy lives on in countless ways: in libraries that welcome all readers, in inventions that value practicality, in a nation built on compromise and reason, and even on the hundred-dollar bill that bears his face. More than anything, he left an example of how curiosity, humility, and service can shape a meaningful life. Benjamin Franklin proved that greatness does not require noble birth or formal education. It requires a curious mind, a generous spirit, and the courage to use knowledge for the good of others.
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