Once upon a time, in an old Vietnamese village surrounded by green rice fields and tall bamboo groves, there lived two brothers. Their father, a hardworking farmer, had built a simple life through honesty and care. When he passed away, he left his sons all that he had some fields, a small cottage, and a beautiful starfruit tree that grew behind their home.
At first, the brothers lived peacefully together. But as time passed, the elder brother’s heart hardened with greed. He wanted the best of everything—the richest soil, the biggest share of the harvest, and the finest possessions. One day, he said to his younger brother, “Let us divide our father’s inheritance. I will take the larger portion since I am the eldest. You may keep the cottage and that starfruit tree. It bears little fruit anyway.”
The younger brother, humble and gentle, agreed without complaint. He moved into the small cottage with his wife, living a quiet life sustained by the starfruit tree. Each morning he would sweep the ground, water its roots, and thank Heaven for the blessings he still had. The tree, in turn, grew strong and fruitful, its branches heavy with golden-green starfruit that glistened in the sun.
One bright morning, as the younger brother worked near the tree, a magnificent bird descended from the sky. Its feathers shimmered like gold and jade, and its eyes glowed with a gentle light. The bird began eating the ripe starfruit from the branches.
Startled, the man looked up but did not shout or throw stones. Instead, he spoke softly, “Beautiful bird, please eat as you wish. The fruit belongs to all creatures of Heaven and Earth.”
The bird stopped and tilted its head, surprised by the man’s kindness. “Good man,” it said, “I am the Golden Phoenix. You have shared your fruit with me freely, and I will repay your generosity. Sew a small bag and wait for me tomorrow. I will carry you to a place where you may gather what you desire.”
The next morning, the man prepared a small cloth bag and waited beneath the starfruit tree. The great bird swooped down, lifted him gently onto its back, and soared high into the clouds. Over mountains, seas, and misty valleys they flew until they reached a glittering island covered with gold.
“Take only what fits in your bag,” the bird said. “Remember, true wealth lies in contentment.”
The younger brother nodded. He filled his small bag with just enough gold to sustain a modest and honest life. Then the bird carried him safely home.
With the gold, he repaired his father’s cottage, helped the poor in his village, and lived peacefully. The people admired his humility, saying, “Fortune smiles on those who live with kindness.”
When the elder brother heard of his sibling’s sudden prosperity, jealousy burned within him. He stormed to his brother’s house and demanded, “Tell me how you gained this wealth! I deserve it more than you!”
The younger brother, ever gentle, told the whole story of the golden bird and the island of treasure. The elder brother pretended to thank him, but his heart was filled with greed.
He went home and planted another starfruit tree in his yard, waiting impatiently for the magical bird to appear. When the Golden Phoenix finally came to eat his fruit, the elder brother shouted, “Bird! Take me to your island of gold! I am ready with my bag.”
The bird looked at him silently and then said, “If you are sincere, prepare your bag and follow me.”
But the elder brother, consumed by greed, had sewn a massive bag, large enough to carry more gold than a dozen men could lift. When they reached the golden island, he ignored the bird’s warning and began stuffing the bag full of treasure. The more he took, the heavier it became.
As the bird flew homeward, the weight of the gold dragged them lower and lower. The greedy man clutched his bag, unwilling to let go even as the bird struggled. At last, the stitches tore, the gold spilled into the sea, and the elder brother tumbled into the waves, never to return.
When word reached the younger brother, he mourned not only the loss of his sibling but also the danger of unchecked greed. He continued to live simply, sharing his blessings with others. The starfruit tree flourished year after year, bearing fruit that glowed like small suns under the Vietnamese sky.
And so, the tale of the Golden Starfruit Tree spread across generations, a gentle reminder that kindness brings abundance while greed leads only to downfall.
Explore ancient tales from Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines in Southeast Asian Folktales.
Moral Lesson
The story teaches that true fortune comes from humility, kindness, and gratitude. Those who live with compassion and moderation attract lasting blessings, while greed and envy destroy even what one already has.
Knowledge Check
-
What inheritance did the two brothers receive from their father?
They inherited farmland, a small cottage, and a starfruit tree. -
How did the younger brother treat the starfruit tree?
He cared for it lovingly and lived simply from its fruit. -
Who was the golden bird, and what did it promise?
The bird was the Golden Phoenix, who promised to repay the brother’s kindness by taking him to a golden island. -
What advice did the bird give before the journey?
It told the younger brother to take only what fit in his small bag. -
What caused the elder brother’s downfall?
His greed made him carry too much gold, causing him to fall into the sea. -
What is the main moral of the story?
Kindness and moderation bring true wealth, while greed leads to destruction.
Source
Adapted from The Golden Starfruit Tree, recorded in Truyện cổ nước Nam and Kho tàng truyện cổ tích Việt Nam by Nguyễn Đổng Chi.
Cultural Origin: Vietnam (Traditional Vietnamese fairy tale)
