Sua grew up with her mother's thick, hot milk, her cheeks rosy and plump, her round, black eyes sparkling, as clear as forest spring water. Everything was fine until Sua reached the age to walk, and her mother saw that Sua only sat where she was placed, not crawling or standing like other children. Gradually, Sua's legs became limp like noodles, unable to stand firmly on the ground like her older siblings. Sua's mother cried, and Sua's father anxiously said that after the corn harvest was over, he would take Sua to the district hospital for a check-up.
At the district hospital, the doctor shook his head and told Sua's parents that it was a congenital defect that could not be cured. Sua's mother cried incessantly, and Sua's father still did not seem to want to believe what the doctor said. He took Sua to the provincial hospital, then to the central hospital for examination, but the same conclusion remained. Would Sua have to suffer from such a disability for the rest of her life? What would her future be like, Sua? Looking at the innocent child smiling so beautifully as if he wanted to encourage his parents, Sua's father could not hold back and ran to the front of the house, covering his face and crying.
One day, Dad brought home two pieces of wood and some green bamboo, he worked hard all afternoon behind the house, the sound of sawing and hammering nails made Sua curious and excited. Near evening, sweat had not yet dried, Dad brought in a very beautiful chair, with a backrest, in front of which was a partition made of fragrant pine wood. Dad made the chair for Sua, his eyes were brighter than the star hanging on the mountain top last night, Sua's eyes sparkled happily. Mom had just cooked rice, the smell of rice, the smell of stir-fried vegetables and meat hanging in the kitchen, the smell of salt and chili wafted out fragrantly... The warmth spread into the air around the house, mixed with the smoke chasing each other up to the rafters, passing through the gaps between the tiles and flying high into the sky. In the distance, each twinkling star seemed to be laughing happily.
The chair was placed in front of the house. In her free time, mother would sit and sew, placing Sua next to her. The cool breeze blew back and forth, the space was airy. Sua seemed to be captivated by her mother's needlework. Since having the chair, Sua could hear the birds chirping from the mulberry bushes in the garden, and watch the clouds drifting in the blue sky. Escaping from the bed with four cockroach-colored wooden walls was already a wonderful thing for Sua.
The children in the village often came to play with Sua, among them were Ka and De. Ka and De were the same age as Sua but could already read and write. Sua often heard fairy tales from books from the two friends. Sua listened and remembered them very well. Sua secretly wished that a genie would give her a pair of strong legs so that she could go to school, go out, and have fun like her friends.
Sitting next to her mother, Sua's eyes were filled with tears. She felt sorry for her fate of not being born healthy like her friends of the same age. Seeing that, her mother asked her. Sua said she wanted to go to school, but with her legs like this, how could she go? Sua cried. Her mother hugged her, her tears also falling down Sua's hair and face. Her heart was also aching because of her daughter.
When Sua's father heard about it, he quietly went to school to meet Mr. Phong. He wanted to fulfill his daughter's wish. Mr. Phong was very touched by Sua's love of learning. Contrary to his father's worries, he welcomed Sua to go to school, he was only worried about how Sua would go to school. Father told the teacher that he would take Sua to school, he volunteered to be the legs that took Sua to find knowledge.
Dad came home and told Sua that she would be able to go to school like her friends. Sua was so happy that she wanted to scream out loud, but for some reason she started crying, Mom was crying too, Dad's eyes were also filled with tears.
The very next day, Dad carried Sua onto the motorbike, Mom sat behind, the whole family went to the market to buy nice clothes and books for Sua, Sua was filled with anticipation and excitement.
At the market, Sua's parents took her to eat pho, to look around the market, to the toy store, the clothing store, and the grocery store. Sua was able to choose the items she liked herself. Her father carried her on his strong shoulders, and her mother carried the basket filled with the purchased items. Sua happily thought about her first day of school.
In the morning, Dad took Sua to school, at noon, Sua ate lunch at school with her friends, and in the afternoon, Ka and De took turns carrying Sua home. The letters were like magic blown into Sua's mind, Sua could read by herself, and she could even do math. Sua learned very quickly, and was praised by Mr. Phong in front of the whole class.
The news of Sua receiving the Vu A Dinh scholarship spread throughout the village. Adults, children, and the elderly came to share the joy with Sua's family. Everyone was happy and admired Sua's efforts. Her parents were overjoyed and welcomed everyone with smiles. In Sua's heart, she always reminded herself that her success came from the love and help of her parents and friends. The words of encouragement and motivation that everyone gave her today, Sua will carry with her as motivation to continue trying to fulfill her dream of flying high and far.
Short story by Dang Thuy Tien
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