The Bamboo and the Wind – Vietnam (Original Version)
The Bamboo and the Wind – Vietnam (Original Version)
In a peaceful village nestled in the countryside of Vietnam, a young bamboo shoot began its journey toward the sky. The villagers took pride in their bamboo groves, knowing that the resilient plants provided them with everything from food to shelter.
The young bamboo, named Lien, was eager to grow tall and strong like the older bamboo plants that surrounded her. She admired their height and grace as they swayed gently in the breeze. “I will grow to be the tallest and strongest of all,” Lien declared, determined to stand firm against the winds.
As the days turned into weeks, Lien grew taller. She stood straight and proud, her leaves reaching upward. However, she soon noticed that the older bamboo plants would bend and sway whenever the wind blew through the grove. Puzzled by this behavior, Lien asked her neighbor, an elderly bamboo named Khoa, “Why do you bend when the wind blows? Shouldn’t we stand firm and resist it?”
Khoa chuckled softly, his leaves rustling with laughter. “Ah, young Lien,” he replied gently, “there is strength in flexibility. When the wind blows, it is wise to bend rather than resist. By doing so, we avoid breaking.”
Lien pondered Khoa’s words, but she remained unconvinced. She continued to stand as straight and firm as she could, resisting the wind with all her might.
One day, a powerful storm swept through the village. The wind howled and roared, shaking the bamboo grove with its fierce gusts. Lien struggled to hold her ground, determined not to bend. But the wind’s force was relentless, and with a loud crack, she felt herself snap and fall to the ground.
As the storm subsided, Lien lay broken and disheartened. Khoa, who had bent gracefully with the wind, extended a comforting leaf toward her. “Do not be discouraged, young one,” he said softly. “We all learn from our experiences. The wind teaches us to be resilient by embracing flexibility.”
With Khoa’s encouragement, Lien began to grow once more. This time, she allowed herself to sway with the breeze, learning to dance with the wind rather than fight against it. As she grew, she realized that her newfound flexibility made her stronger and more resilient than ever before.
The villagers, witnessing Lien’s transformation, marveled at the beauty and wisdom of the bamboo grove. They saw in Lien a reflection of their own lives, understanding that true strength often comes from adapting to change and embracing life’s challenges with grace.
The End.
