Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Văn Lang, there ruled a wise and powerful king named Hùng. His reign was peaceful, and the people prospered beneath his rule. Among his many treasures, none was more precious than his beautiful daughter, Princess Mỵ Nương. Her beauty was said to outshine the moon, and her kindness was known throughout the land.
When she came of age, many suitors came from near and far, each hoping to win her heart. But the king sought a man worthy not only of her beauty but also of his people’s respect. He wished for a protector, someone with both power and virtue.
One day, two mighty beings appeared at the royal court. The first was Sơn Tinh, Lord of the Mountains. Wherever he walked, the land rose in his wake, forming peaks and valleys. He commanded the forests, the stones, and the beasts of the highlands. The second was Thủy Tinh, Lord of the Waters. His eyes shimmered like the ocean, and his voice rolled like distant thunder. He could summon rain, waves, and floods with the flick of his wrist.
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Both gods desired to marry Princess Mỵ Nương, and both were equally powerful. The king, not wishing to favor one over the other, declared a test. “Whoever brings the wedding gifts first shall have my daughter’s hand,” he proclaimed. “The gifts shall be one hundred trays of sticky rice, one hundred jars of rice wine, and each a pair of elephants, chickens, and rare creatures from the mountains and forests.”
The very next morning, Sơn Tinh set off before dawn. He commanded the mountain spirits to bring him his offerings majestic elephants with ivory tusks, rare birds, and glittering stones. By sunrise, he arrived at the palace gates with all the required gifts. The king honored his promise and gave Mỵ Nương’s hand to Sơn Tinh. That same evening, they were married and traveled to his mountain home, where clouds wrapped the peaks like silk scarves.
When Thủy Tinh arrived later and discovered what had happened, his rage boiled like a storm-tossed sea. He raised his arms to the heavens, and thunder roared. Rain poured without end, rivers overflowed, and the seas surged over the land. The waves battered the mountain slopes, trying to tear them apart.
But Sơn Tinh stood firm. With his divine strength, he raised the mountains higher, pushing the peaks above the floodwaters. Whenever Thủy Tinh sent forth waves, Sơn Tinh lifted the earth. Whenever lightning struck, he shielded the villages beneath his protection. For days, the battle raged. The sky darkened, the rivers screamed, and the world trembled beneath their fury.
Finally, Thủy Tinh’s strength waned. The floods receded, and calm returned to the land. The people rejoiced and praised Sơn Tinh, who had saved them from destruction. Yet Thủy Tinh’s anger never faded. Each year, when the monsoon rains return, he renews his attack. He sends storms and floods to challenge his old rival once more, but the mountains always rise above the waters, standing as a symbol of resilience and courage.
Generations later, the people of Vietnam retold this legend to explain the yearly floods that visit their land. But the story also carries a lesson far deeper than the turning of the seasons. It teaches that strength comes not from anger or jealousy, but from patience, balance, and endurance. Sơn Tinh represents stability and steadfastness; Thủy Tinh represents passion and power unchecked. Together, they embody the eternal balance between calm and chaos, mountain and sea.
Moral Lesson
True strength lies not in anger or rivalry but in patience, balance, and the protection of what we love.
Knowledge Check
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Who were the two gods that wished to marry Princess Mỵ Nương?
Sơn Tinh, the Mountain God, and Thủy Tinh, the Water God. -
What challenge did King Hùng set to decide who would marry his daughter?
He declared that whoever brought the wedding gifts first would win her hand. -
Why did Sơn Tinh win the princess’s hand in marriage?
He arrived first with all the required gifts. -
How did Thủy Tinh react when he discovered he had lost the contest?
He grew angry and caused floods to destroy Sơn Tinh’s land. -
What did Sơn Tinh do to protect his people?
He raised the mountains higher to stop the floods. -
What natural event does this legend explain?
It explains Vietnam’s yearly flooding and the seasonal monsoon rains.
Source:
Adapted from The Legend of Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh, a myth from Vietnamese oral tradition collected in national folklore anthologies.
Cultural Origin: Vietnam (Ancient Vietnamese myth / Hồng Bàng era)
