Mac Dinh Chi was born into a poor family in Vietnam long ago. He was small, dark-skinned, and considered unattractive by the standards of his time, but despite these challenges, he worked every day cutting firewood in the forest to help his parents survive. From a very young age, his life was marked by hardship and responsibility, yet he showed a strong spirit and determination to learn.
Near his home, there was a village school where children gathered daily to study. Because his family was poor, Mac Dinh Chi could not afford to attend school, but his desire to learn was so strong that each time he carried firewood past the school, he would quietly stop and listen, memorizing the lessons from outside the classroom. The teacher, noticing the boy’s persistence and love for learning, allowed him to join the school, impressed by his dedication. Thanks to his intelligence and hard work, Mac Dinh Chi quickly became the most outstanding student in the school.
During the day, he had to work to help his family, so he could only study at night. Without money to buy oil for a lamp, he ingeniously caught fireflies and placed them in an eggshell to create light for reading. Under the glow of these fireflies, he studied tirelessly, and over time, his knowledge and understanding grew remarkably. His dedication prepared him for the national examination, which he passed with the highest honor in 1340, earning the prestigious title of Trang Nguyen, the top scholar in the kingdom.
Initially, the king hesitated to award him first place because Mac Dinh Chi was poor and physically unattractive, but to test his ability, the king requested an original literary work. In response, Mac Dinh Chi composed a brilliant essay titled “The Lotus in the Jade Well,” using the lotus as a symbol of purity, resilience, and strength rising above adversity. The essay impressed the king so deeply that he immediately recognized Mac Dinh Chi’s true talent and appointed him to a high-ranking position in the royal court.
Throughout his life as a scholar and official, Mac Dinh Chi served his country with integrity, wisdom, and compassion, making significant contributions to the nation. His story remains an enduring example that true worth comes from knowledge, perseverance, and character, not wealth or appearance.