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The Fairytale: The Legend of the Lilies

The enchanting story of the orchid, a flower that symbolizes happiness and joy.

16 September, 2024

The Legend of the Lilac Flower

Once upon a time, there lived an unfortunate hunchback. He lived a solitary existence, unaware of his parents’ identity and devoid of any siblings or friends. Shunned by society, he believed that love was only meant for the handsome and wise. The hunchback carried a heavy heart, convinced that his eyes could not perceive beauty, and his nose could only detect the stench of decay. His life was filled with envy and resentment.

One fateful day, he caught a glimpse of Princess Roda strolling in the park. The world seemed to pause as people bowed and greeted her warmly. Everyone, except for the hunchback, who stood there, captivated by her radiant beauty. Her rosy cheeks, brown eyes, and crimson lips exuded vitality, and her presence brought peace and joy to all who beheld her. Even the elderly traveled great distances to catch a glimpse of her, feeling rejuvenated by her mere presence.

Illustration.

Princess Roda reciprocated the admiration with an open and sincere smile. However, the hunchback remained silent and unmoving, his eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and awe. Roda, sensing his loneliness and sorrow, bestowed upon him the warmest smile she could muster.

In that instant, the hunchback’s life transformed. He began to see the world in a new light, noticing the vibrant colors of lilac and white flowers, the dazzling red blooms of the mountain tea, and the magical trees with their shimmering leaves. Gentle breezes carried wondrous scents, and by the roadside, tiny purple flowers brought joy to passersby. He was perplexed by this newfound appreciation for beauty and wondered who could provide answers.

“Ask me,” whispered his heart.

“My heart, shrouded in darkness, what insight can you offer?” the hunchback asked, skeptical.

“I am filled with joy because I now understand what makes flowers bloom and birds sing. I comprehend the force that has opened your eyes and ears,” his heart replied calmly.

“And what is this force?” he inquired, intrigued.

“It is love, both gentle and fierce, calm and stormy, warm and intense. You have fallen in love with Princess Roda,” his heart confessed.

“Love Princess Roda?” he exclaimed in fear. “How dare I even entertain such thoughts?”

“Who can stop you from loving her?” his heart argued. “Go to her tomorrow, as others do, and greet her with respect.”

Heeding his heart’s advice, the hunchback visited Roda daily, bowing politely as she passed by. In her presence, his heart felt soothed, as if caressed by a gentle breeze.

Thus began the most wonderful period of his life. Empowered by love, he spent his nights chiseling stones and his days singing with the larks and nightingales. Though he couldn’t understand their songs, he sang of Roda, her beauty, and his love for her.

Unbeknownst to him, a storm was brewing that would soon shatter his happiness. One morning, as he made his way to the park to catch a glimpse of the princess, he found the city adorned with decorations, and the streets bustling with people carrying musical instruments. Among them was a small girl named Maia, a lonely shepherdess who carried a bell instead of a drum, hoping to express her joy on this special day.

The hunchback inquired about the festivities and was shocked to learn that the city’s beloved Princess Roda was to be wed. Devastated, he fell to his knees on the cold stones, then sprang up as if he had landed on a burning hearth. He ran towards the park, desperate to see Roda one last time.

“Roda, my Roda!” he cried, his heart ablaze with passion, his cheeks wet with tears. “You are mine! Send this stranger away and be with me!”

The crowd, celebrating the union of the princess and her foreign prince, was taken aback by the hunchback’s outburst. They scorned him for his boldness and tattered clothes, but his love had blinded him to their ridicule.

Driven by intense emotion, he drew a dagger from his coat and stabbed the princess in the heart. The crowd fell silent, their faces filled with sorrow. As they looked up, they witnessed a miraculous sight—a tall flower with fiery red petals and a sweet fragrance had sprouted from the blood-soaked earth. However, its delicate beauty belied a dangerous secret; anyone who dared to touch it would be pricked by its sharp thorns.

“This is our Roda,” they whispered, “even in death, she brings us joy.”

According to the laws of the land, the hunchback was banished to a remote mountain, accompanied by hailstorms and curses. He was never seen again. The following spring, Maia, the shepherdess, discovered a cracked heart-shaped stone at the mountain’s base. Overcome with grief for the unfortunate hunchback, she wept bitterly. Her tears soaked into the stone, and from that very spot, two flowers bloomed—one with tiny pink petals wrapped around its stem like fractured hearts, and the other bearing white bells that resembled transparent tears.

These flowers were later cultivated in gardens, with the pink flower named the Broken Heart and the white flower known as the Lilac.

Vietnamese folk tales are a treasure trove of stories that have captured the hearts of generations. They encompass historical events, myths, and tales of love, filial piety, loyalty, patience, and courage. May you share the tale of the Lilac Flower with the younger generation, preserving the cultural heritage of Vietnam.

Frequently asked questions

It is a fairytale about two sisters, one kind and the other jealous and cruel. The kind sister, despite facing hardships, finds happiness and true love, while the cruel sister meets an unfortunate end.

Driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge, the cruel sister pushed her kind sister into the river as she knew she couldn’t swim. She wanted to take away everything that her sister had, including her life.

With the help of the water lilies that grew in the river, the kind sister was able to stay afloat and survive the cruel act of her sister.

Despite the cruel sister’s actions, the kind sister showed compassion and forgave her. She understood that her sister was driven by jealousy and believed that everyone deserved a chance for happiness.

The cruel sister met an unfortunate end as she fell into the river and drowned, becoming a warning to those who let jealousy consume them.

The fairytale emphasizes the power of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. It also highlights how jealousy and revenge can lead to one’s downfall.