Vietnamese Mythology Retold: The Fisherman who visited the Dragon Palace (Pt.1)

Is it instinct to follow the duties you are born into, or your heart?

Long ago, in a village near what is now Vũng Tàu, a city in the Southern region of Vietnam, lived a fisherman. I’ve frequently visited Vũng Tàu since it is only an hour drive away, and as long as you avoided peak season, you practically have the whole beach to yourself. At any rate, that’s where our fisherman resided. There, he lived with his parents and siblings in a dilapidated thatched house. You see, many of Vietnam’s myths revolve around poor families, as was the state of most country: the rich don’t tell stories. Without myself having to describe it, you would find young men of poor families in stories like these share a lot in common: they are truthful, hard-working, kind, trusting to a fault, and surprisingly well-spoken.  Because he is responsible to keep the whole family alive, as well as making his ancestors proud, the fisherman – first-born – was such a picture of virtue that he’d never lost his temper, even when the stress of work has crooked his back at the young age of 20s.

“You should get out more, find yourself a good wife. We will be fine.” – said his worried mother, pregnant, cradling his younger brother.

“I shall, when I have fulfilled my duties as your son.” – He said, and strolled out to the seashore to catch the day’s meals.

There, spear in hand, he dived unto the blue waters. But as the cold enveloped him, his mental fortitude faltered for a single moment, and his mother’s words seeped in.

“My mother, blessed her heart, does not seem to understand my predicament. If I was willing to marry someone, I’d have. Fact of the matter is, I do not. Not when my family is struggling to fill our stomachs. We are humans, are we not? Yet she went through life as if a carp, thinking only of instincts.” – The fisherman sighed and rose to the surface.

“Help! Help!” – A turtle was crying for help.

Although I’ve never seen them on my trips to the beach, I believed the Vũng Tàu region was home to turtles a long time ago. Both the turtle and the crane are symbols of my country, both represent hard-work, thus the fisherman meeting a talking turtle was not out of the ordinary. And cliché as it might be, the turtle was in distress simply because he was on his back (I’ve always wondered if the turtle will truly starve because some kids decided it would be a fun prank to flip one over).

“Thank you, young master.” – The turtle said to the fisherman, after the deed was done.

“You are welcome, turtle. Now, begone with you, I have a family to feed.” – The fisherman said.

"But young master, I want to at least return the favor.”

“Shouldn’t you be swimming back to your family?”

“Ah, young master, you are contradicting yourself. I am not human nor carp, so I do not only think about feeding and breeding if that is what you are suggesting. No, sir, I too have my own way of living.” – The turtle slapped his flippers on the sand.

“I am sorry, turtle.” – The fisherman blushed, for having been overheard and having his own criticism towards his mother used on himself.

“Pay no mind. Young master, I would like to take you to the Dragon Palace.” – The turtle waddled slowly to the water.

“The Dragon Palace? The one in fairy tales?”

“The very same one. And as you will soon see, it is as real as can be. Please, hop on my back.”

“I am sorry, turtle. But I’m afraid I have more pressing matters to attend to. If I am to leave with you, my baby brother would starve. I am the eldest of the family, and it is my duty to keep them well-fed. However tempting your invitation is, I’m afraid I could not accept.” – The fisherman made an apologetic bow.

“Honourable you are, young master. But fear not, for time works differently at the Palace. When you are back, there would be nothing to worry about.” – The turtle laughed.

“Your assurance intrigues me, turtle, but I’m afraid it was decided at birth that I am to uphold my responsibilities. Every moment when I am not contributing is a moment I worry. I will help you to the shore but torture me no more with the promise of an adventure.” – The fisherman was clenching his fist out of frustration.

“I can see you want this, young master. I am no snake from Eden, and I shall not lead you astray. Think of what you said earlier, young master, about instincts. Are you not trusting yourself enough to indulge in a miracle? You disregarded your mother’s suggestions, thinking she wanted only for grandchildren. Have you ever wondered how you are torturing her, by never having a life of your own? You, her own flesh and blood, never get to have fun because of her. It is you who are following instincts, young master. Humans should follow the heart.”

“But…”

“Let me at least tell you what is in store. In the Dragon Palace, no longer will you have to work every day. Life there is gentle and calm as the sea on cloudless days. There is no haggling or hunting or killing, no one to criticize you for being poor, no one to care for but yourself.”

“If only I can be there.”

“Climb on my back, young master, and you can.”