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Cat and mouse

Ngoc Hoang was king who ruled in heaven. As other kings, he had stores which storied all treasures belonging to him. The stores needed a person to manage them. Thu was one of gods living in heaven, clear and hard work. Therefore, Ngoc Hoang entrusted the job, taking care of the   stores, to Thu. Ngoc Hoang gave him keys and said:
“Though all things in heaven are unlimited, we shouldn’t waste them. Therefore, I need a person to manage them. That is you. You don’t need to report to me daily. Twice a year are enough”, said Ngoc Hoang.
“Follow your words, my king”, said Thu.
vietnamese fairy tales
Thu happily received his new position. Few years later, Thu did his duty well he set things at their places, didn’t wasted anything. Ngoc Hoang was very satisfied but nothing could keep its initial state pass time. Because things which belonged to Ngoc Hoang were very great none could count or measure, Thu thought about stealing.
“Only a little could be enough for my family to live till they died”, he thought. Then, he did as his thinking. He and his family had easy lives from that time. They put on nice clothes, ate delicious dishes they had never eaten, course, turned more beautiful. Day by day, he stole more and more. At last, he turned reckless and stole as much as he could.
Short time later, Ngoc Hoang found out. Thu was caught while he was stealing things from a store. Ngoc Hoang turned angry, he immediately forced him to live on ground with shape of an animal. The little animal, later, was called mouse.
Though Thu had been punished, he still continued doing what he had done, stealing. He stole things from people who lived in ground. Because he, now, was small in new shape, he stole small things, ate food, tore clothes of people. Therefore, people very hated him. They planned to catch and killed him but they couldn’t catch him. Besides, he had given birth too many other mouses since he was threw out heaven. Therefore, he and his offspring had destroyed many things.
At last, people had to beg Tho Cong the gods managed on ground and also the god who transmitted people's wishes to Ngoc Hoang. Tho Cong understood people’s wish and knew how to be serious if Thu continued giving birth to other mouses. Immediately, Tho Cong moved up heaven and reported to Ngoc Hoang.
“My king, my dear king, people on ground can live or not depending on your kindness. You know though stores in heaven are unlimited have been deficited because of him. Now, he was forced to live with people who had all things limited. King, you have to find out someway to destroy them before people on ground extinct”.
Ngoc Hoang was very surprised he had never thought that the small animal he created could do terrible thing. He thought a little then called Mieu, another god, to him. He said:
“I have never thought that Thu who was punished to live on ground can do terrible thing to people but, now, is too late to ask him to come back heaven. Therefore, I need you to move down ground and help people punish him and his family. You have to let him know that people are poor and he is not allowed to destroyed people’s things”, said Ngoc Hoang.
Mieu had a little worry. He said:
“According to Tho Cong’s words, Thu have given birth to many mouses. Uhm, you know it is very difficult for me to catch them if I have only myself. Besides, they are small and easy to hide themselves”, said Mieu.
“Course, I know. Therefore, I will change you into an animal which is three times than mouses. I give you sturdy muscles, sharpen claws and sparkling eyes which help you can catch them though you are in dark”, said Ngoc Hoang.
Mieu still didn’t like Thu so he agreed. He nodded and Ngoc Hoang changed him into another animal which, later, was called cat.
Mieu had worked very hard since he lived on ground. He used to warn mouses not to destroyed people’s things because they were very poor (cat spread sounds, meow which is pronounced like “nghèo” which have same meaning with poor in English). On other side, he also had huntings and killed many mouses.
Mouses seemed to have less chance to steal and destroy things in people’s house from the time cat landed on ground. Therefore, people felt grateful him so much and treated him very well, giving him delicious food on dish.Later, Mieu also gave birth to children, cats. His offspring continued doing his duty, protecting people’s assets from Thu and his family, mouse.
THE END
"Translator: Hung Nguyen"

Book Introductions

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Discover over 240 enchanting Vietnamese fairy tales, translated into English and beautifully illustrated. This collection is a treasure trove of legends and folklore that reflect Vietnam's rich cultural heritage. Available as an ebook on: Kobo, Apple Books

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