This novel, written by Cao Nguyet Nguyen, comprises over 160 pages. It opens up a world of fairy tales featuring adorable, humorous, and united creatures like the Toad, Green Frog, Earthworm, Mouse, Chicken, Papaya, Ladybug, and Cobra.
Nurturing love
"Hiu" - a rather strange name; upon hearing it for the first time, many might mistakenly think the author is telling a story about some young boy named Hiu. This is especially true when reading the initial descriptions, vividly and realistically portraying the personality of a child: "Hiu was still reluctant to get up, lying with his hands behind his head, stretching out his long legs… Every night he had the habit of lying on a makeshift bridge, his head resting on his father's stomach, his feet propped up on his mother. Hiu also had the habit of dreaming and waking up suddenly. He would always kick his mother into the corner…"
But that's not actually the case, as Chàng Hiu is actually the name of the little Chẫu Chàng. Similarly, readers learn about the adorable name Chằng Hương for the little Chẫu Chàng, when they follow Chàng Hiu back to his paternal grandparents' village. From there, the little Chẫu Chàng grew up in the loving and forgiving embrace of his grandmother, neighbors, and peers. This wasn't something that happened naturally, especially for a child who was aware of his superior appearance – handsome – and born and raised in a doting family like Chàng Hiu.
Initially, the boy was annoyed and irritated at being forced to return with his father to a place that he considered "nothing fun, so rustic and backward." From the very first moment of their meeting, he even showed contempt and mockery towards the house, his grandmother's old age, slowness, and missing fingers: "Let's go, grandson," his grandmother said, reaching out to touch his back. He immediately recoiled to avoid her hand. In his eyes, his grandmother was ugly and slow. His grandmother only smiled and silently walked forward. Hiu followed behind, deliberately imitating her gait and then bursting into laughter.
Then he became upset and disillusioned with everything around him, longing only for the day his father would pick him up. When he met Uncle Papaya, Aunt Dragonfly… he would play mischievous tricks and tease them. When he saw Froggy carrying firewood to help his grandmother repair the roof, he acted haughty, even contemptuous, refusing to answer, turning away and sarcastically remarking, "He's definitely a genuine farmer…"
However, it was the boundless compassion of his family (his grandmother) and the sincerity and solidarity of his friends (Nhái Bén, Chằng Hương) and neighbors that helped Chàng Hiu awaken and gradually abandon his arrogance. The climax was when he slipped and fell into a deep ditch, and he was rescued and cared for by everyone.
Especially when he woke up from his deep sleep and saw his grandmother "lying beside him, holding his hand tightly. It was so warm, he no longer felt afraid of his grandmother's hands with missing fingers"... And then: "Last night, his grandmother stayed up all night to take care of him. Looking at her thin, frail, and weak figure dozing off, tears suddenly welled up in Chang Hiu's eyes. He felt so guilty for not treating her well."
Going away is to return.
"Far Out There in the Fields" is not simply a story about family, friendship, and community spirit, but also conveys a profound message about leaving and returning. That message shines through in the song "Far Out There in the Fields," performed by Chàng Hiu with the sound of a leaf trumpet at the moon festival in the small village amidst the lush green garden.
These are the joyful words of youth, filled with aspirations to soar high and far, seeking new things as they cross the fields—the alluring call of the vast expanse of land stretching to the horizon, of the wind and the clouds: "And I will want to go / To find new things / While I am still very young / While my ambitions are still alive…".
This is evidenced by the passing of Uncle Chẫu Chàng – Chàng Hiu's father. When he led his young son back to his hometown for the first time, and they reached a bend in the road beside the rice fields, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the old days.
It was during his youth that he longed to "leave the small garden and go to new lands," and he was further encouraged by Ladybug: "It's so beautiful out there. Lush green lawns and clear blue water. Life would be a waste not to go and see it."
That dream was further nurtured when his mother, instead of stopping him, encouraged him with understanding: "Yes, if you want to go, then go," and then "She stood there, by the door, with tears welling up in her eyes. That foolish son, how can you hold back the children? If they want to go, it's best to let them go; they'll come back when needed."
And indeed, Uncle Chẫu Chàng returned, not alone, but with his son to continue entrusting his elderly mother to their care before setting off again to attend to the urgent matters of the involuntary migration, because in the distance, a strip of colorful lights was attracting the children, signaling that "humans are getting closer to the swamp area."
His mother was still there, though increasingly frail, always waiting for her son. It was also the place that welcomed his return when, "in times of weariness/ In times of frailty/ I still long to return/ To the small old house/ Where my father and mother/ Will embrace and cherish me." And surely, "his mother would never reproach him even a little. She would never hold him back. Go ahead, to the lands you long for."
It's not just with my son, but also with my grandson, like Chàng Hiu, and many other young people; they leave only to return...
Following the success of the first Kim Dong Literary Award (2023-2025), Kim Dong Publishing House established a book series under the same name and launched the second Kim Dong Literary Award (2025-2027). This year, the target audience is expanded to include children, teenagers, and young adults, and there are two award categories: the Kim Dong Literary Award for outstanding works written for children and the Kim Dong Literary Award for outstanding works written for young adults. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2026.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tu-trang-sach-tro-ve-de-duoc-lon-len-post781437.html
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