I miss summer days so much!

(AI)

The vibrant red blossoms of the flame tree have set the riverbank ablaze, casting their slanted shadows on the emerald green water, and the sunlight bathes the entire lane in golden hues. Another summer has arrived amidst the rustling breeze . Sitting indoors and looking out into the yard, fan-shaped rays of sunlight peek through the lush green foliage, birds crane their necks and sing their clear, melodious songs, and children, escaping their afternoon naps, fill the neighborhood with their boisterous chatter. The usually tranquil countryside becomes vibrant with the lively sounds of summer afternoons .

The country children splashed around in the green river, their laughter echoing. I stood on the bank, watching them, a smile forming on my lips without me even realizing it. Suddenly, I felt a strange longing for my own childhood. Those summer afternoons, sneaking away from my mother to swim in the river, inventing all sorts of crazy games. The children in my village were usually excellent swimmers, partly because the area was crisscrossed with rivers and canals, and partly because they had to follow adults to the fields and rivers from a young age, so they all learned to swim. The stretch of river in front of my house became an unforgettable memory. We often competed with the children on the other side, bringing the two banks closer together. Then came the mud-scooping "battles," where we'd splash each other until our faces were pale, our eyes red, and our voices hoarse, only returning home at dusk.

Where are those children who used to build little huts? Every midday, we'd be busy chopping wood, stripping leaves to build huts, and selling all sorts of things. Under the shade of the old tamarind tree, I'd lie looking up at the sky, the fluffy clouds drifting gently, as if carrying a fairytale sky with them. After playing shopkeeper, we'd play "bride and groom." The song, "The bride and groom broke the vase, blaming the kids..." would ring out amidst endless applause. The little bride, wearing a wreath of wildflowers, shyly looked at the gap-toothed groom and giggled. Kids these days don't bother building huts or playing "bride and groom." I feel my childhood has been somewhat diminished because, in the eyes of children now, there are only video games.

Summer arrived, with no more schoolwork or studies, and the children in my village rushed out to the fields to dig, fly kites, and play war games. The cracked fields were covered with footprints. Suddenly, I longed to join them, to skip across the fields, to fly my brightly colored kite. I stood on the dike, watching the children's clear laughter. They also divided into teams to play war games, cried hysterically when they fell into the hands of the "enemy," and secretly ran home, leaving behind hopeless searches. The smoke from burning fields drifted endlessly on the evening breeze. In that thin wisp of smoke, I seemed to see familiar figures from days gone by. Figures that would never be mistaken for anything else amidst the dusty journey of life. I went inside, caught some fish, and roasted them over straw. The children were restless, fidgeting. When the ashes were removed, everyone swallowed hard. The fragrant smell of the fish made everyone's stomach rumble with hunger. The children devoured the food greedily, their mouths stained black with ash. Meetings were rekindled in the fading afternoon sunlight. The next day, the children gathered again, some bringing fish, some salt, some lemons, and so on, busily grilling the fish together. How beautiful those summer days became!

After flying kites and playing mock battles, the neighborhood kids gathered to play soccer. The patch of grass, lush and green after a day's play, was flattened by the children. The chubby kids ran, panting, and occasionally collapsed onto the grass, providing endless laughter for the "spectators." Adults had the chance to stand around the field watching the children play without having to wait anxiously for their children to be picked up from school. Occasionally, feeling bored, some uncles and grandfathers would ask to join in as "players." The neighborhood was awakened by the children's energetic and innocent spirit, like the trees and blades of grass of their homeland.

Every summer, I get to enjoy vibrant, laughter-filled days that electronic devices can never provide. Life changes every day, and some things are lost, but some things will never be replaced, like the simple summer days in my hometown...

Diamond

Source: https://baolongan.vn/thuong-lam-nhung-ngay-he--a196996.html