The Path to Heaven

The Path to Heaven is a Vietnamese folktale about a kind and hardworking young man who seeks answers from the heavens about why life is unfair. Along his journey, he helps others, receives magical gifts, and learns the rewards of courage, generosity, and selflessness.

Long ago, there was a kind and strong young man who worked tirelessly in the fields and collected firewood in the forest faster than anyone else, yet he remained poor and hungry. Despite his strength and hard work, life seemed unfair, and he could not understand why he suffered so much while others prospered. Determined to find answers, he decided to journey to the heavens to ask why hardworking people like him had to endure hardship. He traveled from sunrise to sunset, crossing forests and hills, before stopping to rest at a house at the foot of a mountain. The kind hostess asked him why he was on such a long journey, and he spoke honestly. He explained that he wanted to understand why strong and diligent people like himself still lived in poverty and struggle.

The Sacred Stone

The Sacred Stone is a Vietnamese folktale about a poor but kindhearted family whose fate changes after they discover a mysterious stone with extraordinary power. The story has been passed down through generations, reminding readers about the value of honesty, gratitude, and using blessings wisely.

A long time ago, a poor couple named Mr. Lam and his wife worked tirelessly to support their five young children. No matter how early they woke up or how late they stayed in the fields, their income was never enough. When a devastating drought struck the region, famine spread everywhere and jobs disappeared. With no food left in the house, Mr. Lam took his hoe into the forest, desperate to find wild yams to keep his children alive. But after digging for hours under the burning sun, he found nothing. Exhaustion and fear overwhelmed him. Thinking about his starving children, he sat down and cried helplessly.

The Flock of Wild Ducks

In this folktale, a clever traveler named Cuoi outwits a greedy local lord who tries to claim everything as his own. Using quick thinking and a bit of humor, Cuoi teaches the arrogant man an unforgettable lesson by turning a flock of wild ducks into the perfect trick.

One day, Cuoi traveled to Muong Vang. After a long walk, he stopped to rest beside a large, quiet lake. In the middle of the water, a flock of wild ducks swam freely. Cuoi counted them one by one. There were so many that he eventually lost track. While he was watching the ducks, the sound of horse bells suddenly rang behind him. Startled, Cuoi turned around and saw a proud local lord sitting high on a red horse. The lord glared at him and shouted, “What are you doing here? Move aside. Do you not know who owns this land?”

The Clever Rabbit

In an old forest ruled by a cruel gray tiger, the animals lived in constant fear. When the white rabbit’s turn came to be eaten, he chose not to surrender. With courage and a quick mind, he crafted a clever plan that would challenge the tiger and protect the entire forest.

In an ancient forest, all the animals lived peaceful, happy lives. Everything changed when a gray tiger from another region suddenly appeared. It stormed through the trees, roaring so loudly that the entire forest trembled. Terrified by its power, the animals had no choice but to follow its demand: every day, one animal had to sacrifice itself so the tiger could eat. Deer, antelope, weasels, peacocks, and even the clever fox eventually became its meals. Many other creatures fled to distant parts of the forest to survive.

The Three Magical Flowers

The Three Magical Flowers is a classic folktale that tells the story of a young boy who discovers three magical flowers, each granting a single wish. Through his adventures, the tale explores themes of desire, curiosity, and the search for true happiness. It is a timeless story that uses simple yet imaginative storytelling to teach valuable life lessons.

Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a boy named Rít. Orphaned at a young age, he was taken in by the village blacksmith, who raised him as his own. Soon, Rít learned to help at the forge, assisting his adoptive father in crafting hoes, knives, and other tools for the villagers.

The Clever Rabbit and the Patient Crocodile

The Clever Rabbit and the Patient Crocodile is a folktale about intelligence, careful thinking, and survival. The story uses animals to reflect human traits and teach important life lessons. It is loved for its simple yet meaningful message, passed down through many generations.

During a dry season, a wild rabbit ventured out of the forest, weakened by hunger. He crept into a vegetable garden at dusk but was caught and injured by the farmer, leaving him with a lame leg. Limping toward the river, he met a young blind deer grazing nearby. The deer was strong and fast, but constantly at risk because it could not see the dangers around the riverbank. The rabbit proposed a partnership: he would be the eyes, spotting danger early, while the deer would provide speed and strength. Recognizing the advantage of cooperation, the blind deer agreed.

Who Deserves More Praise

Who Deserves More Praise is a gentle moral story that focuses on obedience, kindness, and true goodness. Through the actions of two siblings given the same task, the story shows that doing good is not about seeking praise, but about thinking of others and helping when help is needed.

In a quiet home, two Gray Rabbit brothers lived with their mother. Their father worked far away, so both brothers wanted to prove they were the most loving and obedient child. The older brother was more mature and often gave in to his younger sibling. The younger one, however, always wanted more praise from their mother and tried to stand out.

The Brave Purple Toad

The Brave Purple Toad is a traditional Vietnamese folktale that celebrates courage, intelligence, and quick thinking. The story shows how a small and seemingly weak creature outsmarts a powerful tiger, teaching a timeless lesson that wisdom can overcome strength and bravery does not depend on size.

Deep in the forest lived a fierce and cruel tiger. Every animal feared him, and he believed himself to be untouchable. One day, as the tiger passed by the cave of Purple Toad, the toad decided it was time to teach the arrogant tiger a lesson using intelligence instead of strength.

Who Is Truly Better

This story explores the timeless theme of loyalty, kindness, and the true measure of character. It highlights how actions reveal a person’s heart, showing that wealth or status does not determine who is genuinely good. Readers of all ages can reflect on the importance of integrity, family bonds, and recognizing true virtue in others.

Long ago, there were two brothers who lost their parents at a young age. They lived together in the same house, shared everything, and worked side by side. Life was simple and peaceful, and their bond was very strong.

The Clever Plowman and the Greedy Rich Man

This story is a well-known Vietnamese folktale that highlights cleverness, honesty, and the consequences of greed. It shows how quick thinking and integrity can outsmart those who are selfish and arrogant. Readers of all ages can enjoy the humor and moral lessons it offers.

Long ago, there was a wealthy man who was extremely greedy and miserly. When the Lunar New Year approached, he craved some wine but refused to give any money. He ordered his farmhand, the plowman, to go to the market and buy a bottle without paying for it.

The Mercury Scale

This story comes from a classic collection of Vietnamese folktales. It explores timeless lessons about choices, consequences, and the value of living with honesty and integrity. Readers of all ages can appreciate the wisdom it offers about life, responsibility, and moral guidance.

Long ago, there was a wealthy merchant family known for their cunning and deceit. The father had crafted a special scale filled with mercury, cleverly designed so that it would weigh heavier or lighter depending on his benefit. When selling goods, the scale tipped to his advantage, making the products appear lighter and the money larger. When buying, the scale worked the opposite way. Through this trickery, he always profited, and his wealth grew quickly. The family was blessed with two handsome and intelligent children who excelled in their studies, and people admired them as a household of great fortune.

The Clever Scholar and the Golden Pot

This story comes from a traditional Vietnamese folktale. It highlights values that have been admired for generations, such as hard work, intelligence, and gratitude. It is a timeless tale that shows how personal effort and respect for others are celebrated in culture and society.

Long ago, there was a young man from a very poor family who spent his days gathering firewood to earn money for food and schooling. He was intelligent, hardworking, and deeply passionate about learning. That year, the king announced a royal examination to select the brightest minds in the kingdom. The young scholar studied day and night, often forgetting to eat, completely absorbed in his books. Sometimes, when mealtime came, he would wait until his neighbors finished eating and then borrow their cooking pot to cook his food, always returning it spotless after use.

The Legend of the Starfruit Tree

In this traditional Vietnamese tale, two brothers face very different fates after one chooses greed and the other chooses kindness. At the heart of the story is a humble starfruit tree, a mysterious golden bird, and a journey that reveals the true cost of selfishness and the quiet strength of generosity.

Long ago, two brothers lived together after losing their parents when they were still very young. The older brother grew up with a greedy and selfish nature. He always wanted more for himself and rarely cared about anyone else. The younger brother was very different. He was gentle, honest, and ready to make sacrifices if it meant helping others.

The Brothers’ Silent Kindness

This is a well-known folktale that highlights the values of kindness, gratitude, and family love. Although the story is simple, the message it carries is powerful and timeless. It reminds readers that true generosity often appears in the quietest moments and that the strongest bonds are built through actions rather than words.

Two brothers once inherited a rice field after their parents passed away. The older brother was married with several children, while the younger brother lived alone in a small house by the edge of the village. When harvest season came, they worked side by side under the sun, cutting the rice, tying the stalks into bundles, and stacking everything into two piles of equal size in the middle of the field. Both were tired, but they felt grateful that the season had been generous to them.

Why We Have Two Ears and One Mouth

This simple classroom story follows a talkative boy named Son who learns an important lesson about paying attention. After disrupting the class one too many times, his teacher pauses the lesson to explain why people have two ears, two eyes, but only one mouth. Through a gentle but meaningful conversation, Son begins to understand the value of listening more and speaking less.

Son was a bright but mischievous student who loved to talk. During class, instead of focusing on the lesson, he kept turning from side to side, whispering and chatting with his classmates. His constant talking distracted the entire row and even caused a few students to get scolded along with him. Although Son found it fun, the others were clearly annoyed.

The Wise Farmer and the False Accusation

During the Lê dynasty in Vietnam, at the foot of Mount Hồng Lĩnh, there lived a poor man. In his youth, he had learned just enough literacy to sign contracts when borrowing money, but his family’s land and home were eventually lost to debt. As he grew older, he earned a living herding cattle for villagers. Each morning he led the cows into the hills and each evening returned them to their owners. While the animals grazed, he often waded into streams to catch eels for food.

The Legend of the Cockscomb Flower

Long ago, every hen proudly wore a bright red comb on her head, just like the roosters do today. One early morning, a little speckled hen named Mei admired her reflection in a farmyard puddle. She was delighted to see the crown of red feathers glowing like a cluster of flowers on her head. Flapping her wings, she happily sang her familiar tune: “Cluck, cluck, cluck! My comb has bloomed! Cluck, cluck, cluck!” The other animals on the farm stopped to look at her and exclaimed with admiration, “What a lovely crown you have! So charming and elegant.”

Grandmother and Grandchild

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived two children, a brother and a sister. Their parents had passed away when they were young, so they went to live with their grandmother. She was very old and very poor, yet she gave them all the love she had. Life was hard, but the little family remained close, finding comfort in one another. The children stayed by their grandmother’s side, and her gentle smile made even the toughest days a little easier.

The Legend of the Star Apple Tree

Once upon a time, there lived a poor widow and her only son in a small cottage. She worked tirelessly every day to provide for him, giving all her love and sacrifices to ensure he had a better life. But because she spoiled him too much, the boy grew selfish, demanding, and often threw tantrums. He would play mischievous pranks with naughty children in the village, disturbing others and causing trouble.

The Legend of Saint Gióng

The story of Saint Gióng is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most beloved legends, symbolizing patriotism, courage, and the extraordinary spirit of the Vietnamese people. Long ago, during the reign of the sixth Hung King, there lived a kind and hardworking elderly couple in a small village named Gióng. Despite their prayers and efforts, they remained childless. One day, while working in the fields, the wife discovered a giant footprint. Curious, she placed her foot into it, and miraculously, she soon became pregnant.