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(Vietnamese Legend)
A long time ago, when Vietnam was still a land full of mystery and magic, two extraordinary beings lived there: a dragon named Lạc Long Quân and an immortal fairy named Âu Cơ. Lạc Long Quân ruled the seas and rivers with his strength and wisdom, while Âu Cơ lived among the mountains and forests, tending to nature with her kindness and magic.
One day, as Âu Cơ was wandering through the hills gathering flowers, she heard a deep roar coming from the sea. It was Lạc Long Quân, who had emerged from the water to explore the land. When their eyes met, they felt a magical connection. Although they were very different, the dragon of the sea and the fairy of the mountains fell deeply in love.
They decided to live together and started a family. Before long, Âu Cơ gave birth to a magical sac, from which 100 eggs emerged. From these eggs, 100 strong and healthy children were born, each possessing a blend of their parents’ qualities: the energy and strength of the dragon, and the kindness and wisdom of the fairy.
Days passed happily, but over time, Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ realized that they belonged to different worlds. Lạc Long Quân missed the sea, while Âu Cơ could not live far from the mountains and forests.
With great sadness, they decided to part ways to follow their respective destinies. But before doing so, they agreed to divide their children between them. Fifty of their children went with Lạc Long Quân toward the sea, while the other fifty stayed with Âu Cơ in the mountains.
“Even though we are separated, we will always be one family,” Lạc Long Quân told his children. “Stay united and take care of one another.”
This separation, though painful, gave rise to a special history. The children of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ became the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. Those who lived near the sea became experts in fishing and navigation, while those who lived in the mountains learned to cultivate the land and care for the forests.
Even today, the Vietnamese people consider themselves descendants of the dragon and the immortal fairy, and this legend symbolizes the country’s unity and diversity. Whether by the sea or in the mountains, they all share a common bond that reminds them of their strength and their magical origin.
Questions for discussion with children
How do you think the dragon and the fairy felt when they had to separate? Do you think it was an easy decision for them to make?
Why do you think the dragon and the fairy divided their children between the sea and the mountains? How would you feel if you were one of them?
The children of the dragon and the fairy learned to live in different places, yet they remained a family. What do you think this suggests about the importance of staying united, even when we are different?
If you could live by the sea like the dragon or in the mountains like the fairy, where would you choose to live? Why? The story explains the origin of the Vietnamese people. How do you think legends can help us understand the history and traditions of a place?
