The Legend of the Returned Sword - Vietnamese

My name is Kim Qui, and I am the Golden Turtle. My shell is as old as the stones at the bottom of my lake, and for centuries, I have guarded a secret beneath the cool, green water. It's a story of a great hero, a magical sword, and a promise kept. This is The Legend of the Returned Sword. Long ago, the people of Vietnam were sad because their land was not free. A brave man named Lê Lợi wanted to help, but his army was small. My master, the great Dragon King who lives in a palace of jade deep below, saw Lê Lợi's kind heart and decided to help him.

The Dragon King sent his magic sword, Thuận Thiên, which means 'Heaven's Will,' to the world of humans. But he sent it in two pieces to make sure only the right person could find it. First, a fisherman found the shiny blade in his fishing net, over and over again. He gave it to Lê Lợi. Later, while resting in a tall banyan tree, Lê Lợi himself saw something glowing in the branches. It was the hilt of the sword, decorated with sparkling jewels. When he put the two pieces together, the sword shone brightly and felt warm in his hands. It was a sign that he was chosen to protect his people.

With the magical sword, Lê Lợi was stronger and braver than ever before. The sword flashed like lightning in battle, and soon, everyone wanted to join his army. From my quiet lake, I could feel the hope growing across the land. For ten years, Lê Lợi fought with courage until his people were finally free. He became the new emperor, and peace returned to Vietnam. He always kept the magical sword with him, a reminder of the help he had received.

One beautiful, sunny afternoon, the new Emperor Lê Lợi went for a boat ride on my lake. The Dragon King told me it was time. I swam up from the bottom, my golden head breaking the surface of the water. I spoke to the emperor, asking him to return the sword now that its work was done. The emperor smiled. He understood that the sword was a gift for a time of need, not for one man to keep forever. He held out the sword, and I gently took it in my mouth. With a final nod, I swam back down to the Dragon King's underwater palace, returning the magic to its home.

From that day on, my lake was called Hoàn Kiếm Lake, which means 'The Lake of the Returned Sword.' The story is told to remind everyone that true strength is used to help others and should be given back when peace is won. Today, children and families visit my lake in the city of Hanoi, looking at the calm water and wondering about the magic that still lives deep below. And sometimes, just maybe, they catch a glimpse of an old golden turtle, still guarding the legend.