"Oh... teacher, are you alright?" A Lang Pong exclaimed in alarm.

The young man was driving his motorbike out of the village, and before he could even wave, he saw Minh's motorbike crash onto the roadside. Pong braked sharply and rushed to pull the motorbike, which was pinning Minh underneath, out of the way. The heavy cargo box tied to the back and the bulky bag in front made it impossible for Minh to stand up.

"Be gentle... Don't tear the bag of cakes," Minh said, his voice still trembling with fear, but his eyes were fixed on the white plastic bag now covered in mud.

- "Is the teacher hurt? You're not worried about anyone else, but only about the bag of cakes."

Pong's voice held a hint of reproach. But when Minh looked up, she caught a glimpse of the smile he had just tried to hide on his lips.

"It's just puffed rice in here, I brought it up for the children. I wrapped it in several layers of plastic, but if it tears or gets muddy, it'll be ruined." Minh said shyly. She wiped her mud-covered hands on her now mud-stained jacket.

"What a heavy box, teacher," Pong asked Minh as he adjusted the loose rope.

"Oh, that's seafood. I brought some for the kids too," Minh said, smiling.

"Every time you come back from the city, I see you carrying so much stuff. I bet the kids really want you to come back to the city more often, huh?" Pong said, half joking, half serious.

The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting a glow on Minh's face, making her eyes sparkle. This time, the crate of fish was a gift from Liem to the children. He had just returned from a fishing trip and asked his mother to steam a large crate of fish before calling Minh. So, Minh excitedly headed back to town.

As Minh drove to the school, he could see from afar the schoolyard shimmering with bamboo trays full of books drying in the sun.

"What's wrong with the books, Sister Chu?" Minh quickly parked his bike and rushed into the schoolyard. Sister Chu, the village head, was sitting hunched over a pile of books.

- Minh, you're here already? There was a tornado yesterday, a corner of the reading room's roof was blown off, and the rain soaked all the bookshelves. We were busy drying them out, without telling the teacher, because we were afraid she'd worry.

- How are everyone's houses in the village doing, sister?

- Only old man Mó's house next to the school had its roof blown off...

Minh looked at the books drying in the afternoon sun and felt a pang of sadness. This bookshelf was the result of years of hard work, donated by friends from all over. When she first came to the school, there were only a few dozen thin storybooks. But now there are thousands of titles. Now, not only Minh's students, but also adults in the village come to borrow books. From the words in the books, Mr. Mang's grapefruit tree, which had withered, has revived.

- My son, Mèng, said the book said it was because I had done the wrong thing to fertilize the tree, preventing the roots from breathing. I laughed at him, but I tried doing what the book said, and it saved the tree that was bearing its first fruits. When I brought the first grapefruit of the season to Minh's class, Mèng excitedly showed it off.

From those small things, a reading movement suddenly sprang up throughout the village.

***

In autumn, wild sunflowers bloom brightly yellow all along the slope leading up to A Liêng school. The flower-lined path is the work of a group of volunteer students who came to the village a few years ago to help build classrooms. The orchards surrounding the school, with their various fruit trees like mangoes, avocados, and rambutan, are thriving and waiting for their first bloom. These saplings were obtained by Minh and Ms. Chù from benefactors who supported the school, and the villagers contributed their efforts to planting them.

The village of A Liêng is small, with only about twenty houses, nestled on the mountainside. It's always shrouded in a thin mist. At the foot of the mountain, the Zangka stream murmurs, never drying up. From the very first days she arrived, Minh fell in love with this place. She had traveled to many places, but nowhere had brought her such peace. Minh thought that anyone who loves nature and tranquility would surely feel the same way; once they came here, they wouldn't want to leave.

The first person Minh shared his idea about community-based ecotourism with was Ms. Chu.

"It's very difficult, Minh. But how will we know we can't do it if we don't try?" Ms. Chu said with a bright smile.

The first visitors to arrive in the village were volunteer groups who came to help at the school where Minh taught. Back then, the houses of Ms. Chu, Mr. Mang, and Mr. Pong were tidied up, a few bamboo beds were added, and clean mats were laid out for guests to stay in. Later, those houses were expanded, with more rooms and kitchens, becoming the first homestays in the village. Then the villagers followed suit. Those who came to help the village years ago returned with their family and friends. This time, they came back to fully appreciate the beauty of A Liêng.

Back then, the hills surrounding the village were covered in weeds and bushes, with the wind howling all day long. Now things are different. Thanks to various support programs, the villagers have divided the hills into plots and planted trees. One area is lush with green teak, another sparkles with the foliage of chestnut and other trees. The road leading from the village to Zangka Waterfall is now lined on both sides with rows of tender mulberry trees. In spring, they sprout emerald green leaves, and in summer, they bear purple fruit. The sweet aroma of the fruit entices visitors to stay longer. Thanks to the diligent hands of the villagers, A Liêng has become much more prosperous.

On every tree trunk, along every path in the village, hangs a wooden plaque bearing the names of those who have contributed to A Liêng. Pong carved these pieces of wood beautifully, while Minh meticulously wrote each letter. These unfamiliar names have become familiar through their love for this small village. When not in class, Minh enjoys wandering around the village, admiring the gentle smiles of the people, listening to the mountain wind whispering through the trees, and smelling the scent of fresh grass and mountain dew in the early morning sun. He also enjoys the delicate fragrance of roses and chrysanthemums from the yards carried on the breeze.

***

Minh sat on the porch of Ms. Chu's house, looking down at the village. Below, rooftops were partially obscured by mist, and smoke from the kitchens rose gently like silk threads.

"So you're not moving back to the city?" Ms. Chu held Minh's hand tightly, her mouth curving into a wide smile when she learned that Minh would continue to stay at the school.

"I still love this place so much, I can't bear to leave," she said. Minh smiled along with her.

In just five years, A Liêng village has changed so much. The houses, hidden in the morning mist and nestled beside the slopes, are now covered in yellow wildflowers, roses, and hibiscus, as beautiful as an ancient painting. The villagers' lives have also become more prosperous thanks to the arrival of tourists. “Our village is like this today thanks to Teacher Minh,” said Ms. Chù, sitting beside Minh, watching the villagers carrying baskets up to the fields. Minh quickly waved her hand: “How could I accept that? The village's transformation is thanks to our people's unity, their love for the mountains and forests, and their hard work.”

That year, Minh chose to go to the highlands when she learned that her mother had just given birth to a baby. She was happy for her mother, who, after many years of being alone, had finally found new joy and a new home. But for some reason, Minh felt strangely empty inside. The village of A Liêng welcomed Minh with a gentle breeze. The smell of cooking smoke mingled with the morning mist warmed Minh's heart. Even the innocent eyes of the children soothed her soul.

That's great news! We have to have a celebration tonight, Minh. And we can't go without some alcohol!

Minh smiled and nodded repeatedly. She still remembered the sweet, fragrant taste of the hibiscus wine that Sister Chu had brewed. Just thinking about the shimmering red color and the light, tangy, sweet taste filled Minh's heart with joy.

- You stay here, I'll go tell everyone. We're having a big party tonight.

After saying that, Ms. Chu hurried along the small path leading down to the village. Golden sunlight danced playfully with each step she took.

Minh gazed at the patches of yellow flowers swaying in the autumn breeze. The sound of children playing at the foot of the hill echoed like sunshine. Minh suddenly smiled along, feeling her heart lighten like a gentle breeze sweeping across the hill.

Le Ha

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/nang-tren-moi-cuoi-159704.html