Ba Vanh

Long time ago, a boy was known as a strong person living in a village named Minh giam. When he was born, he had strange characteristics, long arms that he could reached over his knees though he stood erect, his teeth which stood in a line, three thin lines which crossed his forehead. Especially, he had two curly hairs on both feet and whenever he caressed the hairs, his body became lightweight. That helped him jumped on a roof easily or if he was fallen down from high position without any hurt. But, he kept the thing in secret and didn’t let anyone know. People called him Ba Vanh.

vietnamesefairytales.blogspot.com

Ba Vanh herded and made friends with other children who also herded. One day, they parted and played battle game. He and his fellows lost and were forced to run. When he ran to a cliff and children in other party was after him. He stopped a while to caress the hair on his feet then he jumped and of course he jumped cross to the opposite cliff. The children dropped their jaws they couldn’t believe in their eyes. From that time, children respected him and call him Ba Vanh king.

One day, Ba Vanh’ s buffalo ate rice in field and the rice belonged to a woman who was known a harsh woman. People called her Chua Lung. When the woman was informed, he ran toward the field and didn’t forget scold loudly along the way. Ba Vanh was angry, he asked children to tied her and bring to a paddock nearly to punish her. Ba Vanh slitted her mouth. He said:

“If you want to scold me, I help you have a large mouth to scold easier”.

Then Ba Vanh slaughtered his buffalo and treated the children a feast. The thing had provoked landlords, the rich and including local mandarins. They chased him. He hid himself on the top of high tree but they knew and rounded under the tree. When some climbed and nearly reached him, he caressed his hairs and jumped to other tree though it was distant between the trees. They seemed to be frightened. They stopped catching him and left.

Then Ba Vanh became a rebel. People heard that he was master of martial arts so many of them followed him. They still called him Ba Vanh king. The rebels had many wins. Because of the hairs, he could jump to the place where the generals of soldiers were and murdered them at one. Soldiers lost their leaders becoming confused and they had no choice but running to save their lives.

Later, Cong Tru Nguyen was ordered to fight against him. Though Cong Tru Nguyen was great general but he also had the win completely. They had rounded Ba Vanh times but they had never reached him. Whenever they rounded him, he jumped away that made soldiers surprise and also have a little frightened. Cong Tru Nguyen also feared when his enemy was a talent.

After long time, Cong Tru Nguyen had an idea. He ordered soldiers to pretend that they withdrew and invited singers to go and organize a ten – day – festival. Of course the plan was too effective.

Many rebels loved singing that made them had to disguise as the normal to go to the place where soldiers camped, participated in the festival. Cong Tru Nguyen ordered soldiers to scan people who went in and caught few. Two of them were close friends of Ba Vanh. Cong Tru Nguyen asked them about Ba Vanh’ s magic. They chose not to reply. But the general was very wise that he didn’t torture them. He treated them very well, provided them whatever they wanted. Days passed. At last, they talked him about the mystery of hairs which grew on their leader’s feet. Cong Tru Nguyen asked them to find the way to cut off the hair that was the way they had to do to pay for their mistakes.

They came back. When they met Ba Vanh they lied that they were caught but because of cunning they escaped. Ba Vanh had never thought that they betrayed him so he treated him as he had. One day, when their turn that they guarded for Ba Vanh sleeping came. They took their chance, cut off the hairs and sent a letter to Cong Tru Nguyen. When Cong Tru Nguyen had read the letter, he ordered soldiers to attack the rebels. The round was tighter and tighter. Rebels advised Ba Vanh that he could escaped as he had chance. But Ba Vang believed in the mystery of the hairs. He laughed and said:

“Others should find the way to escape. I will wait for soldiers”.

But when soldiers broke in, Ba Vanh, that time, realized that he had lost his hairs. He couldn’t escape and had to let soldiers arrest him.

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