The tale of waiting - husband stone

Once upon a time, a couple had born two children one boy and one girl. The boy was 11 years old and his sister was 6 years old. Everyday when the couple went to farm to work they always asked the boy to take care of his sister. His mother usually added:

“Don’t make your sister cry. Your father will punish you if you do.”

vietnamesefairytales.blogspot.com

Everyday, the boy and the girl played in their garden together or play with your friend around their house. Until they were bored they stopped playing to eat some sugar canes. The boy used to take a knife to cut sugar canes.

One day, when the boy took the knife cut a sugar cane but the blade flew toward his sister’s head although the hilt was in his hand. The girl was fainting immediately, blood poured from her head. The boy was very scared he thought he had made a very serious mistake. He believed that his father would kill him. Therefore, he left his home and went away. He went to hide himself from his father’s eyes.

He passed a lot of place. Somewhere he stayed for months, made friend with somebody. Somewhere he only stayed for few days then left. He had moved for 15 years. At last, he stopped at a village standing by the sea where people were fishers. He lived with a couple who had no children so the couple kept him staying and asked him to become their son. He agreed.

Then he also got married. His wife was a person who lived at that region so she was very well in making fishing net. Every night, he went fishing then his wife brought fish to market to sell when he had come back. Their lives were very happy. After 2 years they bore a child.

It was bad day the husband stayed at home. While their chid was playing alone in the yard front theIr house he and his wife were knitting fishing nets. Suddenly he saw a scar which was on his wife’s head. Too curious he asked his wife about the scar. The wife said:

“That is 20 years ago I was a child. One day, my bother was cutting a sugar cane the blade of knife suddenly flew to my head. I was fainting immediately and my brother left because he was to scared being punished. Fortunately, that day my parent went back early so they could sprint to find doctor and save my life. Then my parent had tried to find my brother but they could find any thing. They died after short time because they were too sad. I had lived alone until robbers came robbed all things in my house and brought me to sell to a merchant. I had gone to many places until I met you.”

The wife said innocently but her husband’s cheek went red. His heart seemed to be burn. He had just realized he had married with his sister but he tried to keep silent he wanted to keep that secret.

After few days, the sea was beautiful again but something that time was waving inside the husband. He went fishing but that time he had never come back.

The wife waited and waited for husband but that was so long. All people who went with his husband had come back that made she don’t understand. Her husband in her mind was person who very loved his family. Every afternoon the wife always hugged in her hand his son climbed to top of mountain near sea to wait.

Three months passed then six months passed, nine months passed but the wife and his son never forgot to climb and stand on top of the mountain. Then they were petrified. Now day, the stone still exists on the top of mountain which was in Phu Cat, Binh Dinh, Viet Nam. It was named “Hòn Vọng Phụ” (waiting-husband stone)

THE END

"Translated by Hung Nguyen"

Book Introductions

1. Complete Collection of Vietnamese Fairy Tales - A Treasury of Legends and Folklore

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

2. Vietnamese Fairy Tales - Stories in English and Vietnamese

This bilingual collection features 162 Vietnamese fairy tales in both English and Vietnamese, with stunning illustrations. Ideal for language learners and cultural enthusiasts. Available as an ebook on: Kobo, Apple Books

3. The Treasury of Fables

An enchanting collection of timeless fables, written in English and beautifully illustrated. Perfect for all ages, these stories offer valuable moral lessons. Available as an ebook on: Kobo, Apple Books

📚 EBOOK