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| Illustration: PV |
Linh still vividly remembers the awards ceremony, when everyone gathered around to congratulate and encourage her for her courageous act of selflessly saving a baby from the floodwaters. The feeling of being appreciated and having her efforts recognized made Linh feel that her life was truly meaningful.
Linh remembers that on her first day at the newsroom as a trainee reporter, everyone looked at her with skepticism. No one believed that a petite girl with fair, rosy skin, a delicate face, and soft hands like Linh could endure the harsh realities of journalism. Even her parents and boyfriend shared that opinion. Everyone thought that if Linh tried her hand at journalism for a few years, she would eventually change jobs when she realized the difficulties and hardships of the profession. Knowing this, Linh simply smiled, implicitly proving her capabilities through concrete actions and deeds.
For four years at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, Linh consistently achieved the title of "outstanding student." Upon graduation with a distinction, she was offered an internship at the provincial newspaper. The editor-in-chief, an acquaintance of her mother, intended to assign Linh some administrative office tasks, but Linh resolutely refused. She earnestly requested to be an intern reporter, even though she knew the job was far from simple, full of challenges requiring quick thinking, perseverance, and high adaptability, as news needed to be constantly updated and sometimes she might face threats or negative reactions from those involved. Seeing Linh's firm decision, the editor-in-chief reluctantly agreed.
In her early days at the newsroom, Linh never refused any assigned task. She was always proactive in taking on responsibilities and always received dedicated guidance from senior reporters. Whenever there was breaking news or a breaking event, Linh would ask to follow her senior colleagues to observe how they worked, gathered, and processed information. Seeing how enthusiastically they worked, Linh always felt a sense of admiration and pride in her profession and the dedication of journalists. Gradually, everyone became accustomed to a young reporter named Linh who was energetic, lively, and meticulous in her work, no longer calling her by the nickname "girly girl" as they did when she first joined the newsroom.
Earlier last week, during the weekly briefing at the newsroom, Linh was assigned by the editorial board to accompany Hoang, a veteran reporter, to the flood-stricken area to cover the story. The weather was becoming increasingly unpredictable, with floods occurring in the middle of summer in some areas of Central Vietnam. Hoang hesitated briefly upon learning he would be accompanying the trainee reporter, but before he could think of a reason to refuse, Linh quickly gave him a knowing smile, as if pleading. And so, the two of them, along with the crew, set off for the flood-affected region.
Upon arriving, Linh was stunned by the sight of the torrential rain, the rising floodwaters, and the raging currents that threatened to swallow everything in their path. The crew, clad in raincoats, rushed about preparing for filming, despite the stinging rain lashing against their bodies and faces. Cameras were ready, the television signal connected; everyone was frantically preparing for a live broadcast of the disaster. Just then, as her gaze swept across the murky water, Linh suddenly froze. In the midst of the raging current, she saw a small arm flailing, struggling. It was a child! The powerful flood was sweeping the child further and further away. Linh's heart felt as if it were being squeezed.
Without hesitation, Linh rushed off.
Linh! That's dangerous.
Hoang shouted loudly, as if trying to drown out the sound of the rain and wind, but at that moment Linh could barely hear anything except the pounding of her heart in her chest.
Linh plunged into the raging floodwaters. The icy cold water enveloped her small body, crisscrossing like invisible hands pulling her, threatening to swallow her whole in the ferocious whirlpool. Linh tried to stay calm, kicking her legs hard to swim towards the child. Her arms stretched out into the vast expanse of water, trying to grasp the tiny arm of the child struggling desperately. Finally, she succeeded in grasping the child's hand. The current relentlessly swept them along, pushing and shoving as if trying to tear them apart. Linh felt her body freezing, but she clung on, battling against each fierce whirlpool.
A struggle between life and the raging current, that moment seemed to last forever, leaving her utterly exhausted. Finally, she managed to grasp the child's hands, hugging her tightly, and, carried by the current, swam towards the shore. At the same time, Hoang and the surrounding villagers arrived in time to help pull both of them to shore. The child's mother, stumbling and almost collapsing upon seeing her child just escaped the deadly water, burst into tears, hugging Linh tightly and repeatedly expressing her heartfelt gratitude. When Hoang placed the baby in the mother's arms, Linh was equally moved. Everyone around who witnessed the scene praised Linh deeply for her courage and decisive, swift action that saved the child's life. Hoang looked at Linh, the trainee reporter, with admiration.
That day, the news report not only covered the flood but also recounted the inspiring story of a young reporter who braved the raging waters to save a child's life. Linh's selfless act deeply moved readers, inspiring them with her courage in rescuing people in times of disaster. After that incident, Linh's family and boyfriend stopped urging her to give up journalism. They truly believed that Linh had chosen this profession with all her love, responsibility, and overflowing passion.
Linh sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the words on the newly completed article. She took a deep breath, calming her mixed emotions. Before her was a product that not only contained information but also carried the feelings of a true journalist. Outside, the rain had stopped, and the sky had become clear and bright. Linh was delighted to see a rainbow forming on the eastern horizon after the rain, with its vibrant colors. She smiled, suddenly remembering her grandmother's saying, "After the rain, the sun shines again," finding it true in every situation Linh had experienced.
Out there, work and life are always full of storms and challenges, but Linh knows she will always be ready to dive into stories that only courage and a passionate heart can write. Because Linh came to journalism not only with the passion and enthusiasm of youth but also with all her love and desire to contribute.
Source: https://baophuyen.vn/sang-tac/202506/phong-vien-tap-su-c09163b/
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