The third day of Tet is Teacher's Day

(Baonghean.vn) - I would like to begin this article with the story of the young students of Phan School, Phan Boi Chau, where the song "Phan Boi Chau Gifted School, sending flocks of seagulls flying far away..." was born.

According to old customs, "The first day of Tet is for the father, the second day is for the mother, the third day is for the teacher." This phrase encapsulates the three most sacred Tet days dedicated to the three most precious and important people in each person's life. On the first day of Tet - the first day of a new year, a new spring - at home, the father lights incense on the family altar, remembering the ancestors of the family. And along with that, wishes for health and peace to grandparents, parents, the people who carried the burden of giving birth to you. That is the most meaningful thing to do on the first day of Tet. The second day takes place at the maternal side. If you have a father (on your paternal side), you must have a mother (on your maternal side) to have a life, that is the inevitable law of nature.

And "The third day of Tet for teachers" is reserved for those who have given us wings since we were babies, so that we can gradually grow stronger and fly high and far to find our own meaning in life. The gratitude to our parents and our roots is a natural thing, and the gratitude to those who taught us how to be human, therefore, cannot be forgotten. The beauty of the Vietnamese soul has been determined for thousands of years, and that is also what has fostered the nation's everlasting strength through the ups and downs of time.

I still remember the first time my mother took me to "Teacher's Day", when I was in elementary school. On the afternoon of the third day of Tet, my mother dressed me in new clothes, then personally took me to my teacher's house... The gift my mother brought to pay respect to my teacher was not anything luxurious or of much material value. The ceremony to pay respect to my teacher at that time was completely innocent and pure. It was a bunch of ripe, golden bananas that I offered with my hands full.

Going up the National Highway 48, I met Mr. Tran Ba ​​Duong (Physical Education teacher at Tien Phong Secondary School) in the mountainous district of Que Phong. He said, "This year, the school has tried to ensure that the Mong and Thai students have a happy Spring of the Year of the Goat. Each student has a banh chung to celebrate Tet, which warms the teachers' hearts!". At the end of National Highway 7A, Mr. Nguyen Cong Danh - Principal of Nam Tip Boarding School (Ky Son) talked, "This year, basically the Mong and Thai students have had a Tet holiday and study schedule. My family is also happy."

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao, teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School

Returning to my school, Phan school is quiet and humble. But in this small place, many generations have taken off and flown high. I remember, the old school is associated with the old teachers. Ms. Dinh Thi Ngoc Viet (when we met again on the occasion of the school's 40th anniversary), she said, "You don't come to receive rice for me anymore?". At that time, Ms. Viet worked in the catering department. She reminded me, it's been almost 30 years, teacher! The students' hearts sank, not knowing what to say. We miss our school so much.

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Canh Cung, teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School

Then our dear teachers taught and guided us to grow up to become who we are today. I still remember teacher Le Duc Kiem, who introduced us to History, who took me by the hand and led me to the Tam Giac flower garden. We sat next to the fountain. The teacher said: "My dear! Vinh in the past was very elegant and charming. Vinh had small roads that ran like nostalgia. I remember, Vinh at that time had coolies (road police), walking slowly because they had nothing to do. At that time, Vinh was simple but charming. Vinh was neat, beautiful, and orderly. Although it was small, the city had a modern, civilized appearance, on the sidewalks there were no shops encroaching, the streets were leisurely with the sound of horse music. In the afternoon, the light sunlight, young ladies in modern ao dai with high collars, carrying purses and dresses gracefully on the sidewalks next to young men practicing boxing with big chests and heads or next to elegant young men. They walked gently, spoke softly and politely. Occasionally, young ladies would quote a few good lines from French writers to replace their "difficult to express and discreet" thoughts with their companions. Vinh at that time only had a few cars, bicycles were only counted in the dozens, Motorcycles were almost absent. That was Vinh back then. As for Vinh today, as Uncle Ho instructed, it must be “ten times bigger than today” (in 1966). We did as Uncle Ho asked, but it was only big and spacious, not really civilized and orderly as Uncle Ho wanted.

Quang Trung Avenue is now dozens of times wider than the old Maréchall Foch Street, with many high-rise, multi-star hotels. Goods are abundant and complete, from traditional cuđơ candy to shiny new car salons. Vinh city residents drive cars worth hundreds of thousands of US dollars. Squares and flower gardens have also sprung up, making Vinh more modern, something that was not even in the dreams of the mandarins of the past, and even for the Western officials, it was just an illusion. However, to be honest, Quang Trung Avenue now still lacks many trees for a windy, sunny city. It seems that when Uncle Ho visited his hometown, he also carefully reminded this, and he even sent tree seeds to the city. However, Quang Trung Avenue in particular and Vinh in general still lacks much shade for poor pedestrians. Anyone who travels across Vietnam mostly passes through Quang Trung, the main street, a part of the face of Vinh city today.

Teacher Le Duc Kiem's ​​words, I keep them as a love, a love between a student and a teacher. I remember, when he carried water for Ms. Diep to wash her hair, how hard it was, teacher! Teacher Hoanh, in charge of our Literature subject. One day, he had a headache, the students were given the day off. But he held his head in pain, now, after nearly 30 years, we know. Teacher! Students and friends apologize together. He said, "I lost my sandal, who can go find it for me?". Class monitor Ton Manh and Youth Union Secretary Ton Nu Lan Oanh could not find him. Teacher had a headache, the students could only stay silent.

On Facebook, I also read the program of Phan school students. That program has a touching name, really touching, "Train back to childhood". Accordingly, nickname Nguyen Thanh Son wrote "Train back to childhood No. 1. Tet At Mui trip: "Connecting the train, refueling, we go back to our hometown to celebrate Tet, visit old teachers all over the country... to report achievements to teachers, to visit, encourage and contribute a little joy to the elderly, and also to learn more things that teachers have not had time to teach".

Carrying the same joy, we travel the long miles. Spring is coming to our homeland!

Cong Manh