Increase without strengthening

(Baonghean) - The district recently received two additional officials from higher levels, and the district chairman warmly welcomed them with a "red carpet" reception.

He chatted warmly with the two newcomers:

"Come on, let's raise a glass," he said, turning to the tanned young man who kept coughing as if he'd inhaled smoke. "What did you study?"

"I'm a forest fire prevention and control engineer," the district chairman sighed softly. "There's no forest left in this area to fight fires. Everything has become barren hills. The urgent task now is reforestation. In ten years, when the trees are green again, then we'll have work to do. But for now..."

The young man continued, coughing hoarsely:

- The agency is downsizing, so I volunteered to serve at the grassroots level.

"I highly commend your spirit," the district chairman said, scratching his forehead. "For now, I'll assign you to a tree-planting unit. Once the trees have grown into a forest, you'll have a job in your field. Do you agree?"

The young man nodded hesitantly.

- Oh, and you could also help this district. People around here have been buying a lot of gas stoves lately, and there have been several explosions. You could take on that responsibility as well, it's also part of fire prevention and control. Let's have a beer!

Turning to the pretty girl with skin as white as a peeled egg and wearing glasses, he asked:

- You are an aquaculture engineer; where did you previously work?

- I graduated and started working in the Department's office; I haven't worked at any local facility yet. This is my first time.

- Then there's a chance to put that skill to use. My district has virtually no aquaculture industry. There are few streams and small ponds.

Seeing the girl's hesitant expression, the district chairman enthusiastically waved his hand:

- But that's okay. We have a big project raising catfish for their skins to make handicrafts for tourists. Fish are fish, after all, they live in water, right, engineer? Now that you're here, it's like the fish finding water, so lucky. But that's just the vision for 2020. There's still so much work to be done: preparing the area, attracting investment, so much more.

- What do you do?

- There are plenty of jobs. You can temporarily join the Ornamental Plants Association, in charge of raising ornamental fish. It's a lot of fun there, full of cheerful retired people who love to write poetry. Oh, and you have the demeanor of a performer, I bet you'd sing very well.

The girl blushed.

- I've also attended a few art and cultural performances.

The chairman slammed his glass of frothy beer down on the table:

- Excellent! Let's put the grouper fish matter aside for now. We're adding her to the district's performing arts team preparing for the upcoming Provincial Farmers' Singing Festival. Now, ladies and gentlemen, let's raise our glasses once more. Wishing you all the best in your mission!

Quynh Tho