(NLDO) - My beloved teacher is extremely simple. She doesn't have any great social significance, she simply sows knowledge and chooses to give every day.
During the recent Tet holiday, I contacted her. As usual, she was engrossed in her lesson plans. She said, "My joy is having time to invest in teaching." Her tone was humorous and familiar, as if I had never left that school for ten years. Ms. Thai Thi Xuan Thuy, head of the Social Sciences group, teaching Literature at Vo Lai High School (Tay Son, Binh Dinh) is a beloved teacher in my heart, like that.
From a training class…
Entering the industry in 1994, Ms. Thuy has brought many ferries to the shore. Ferries with many dreams that have been formed from countless trusts: doctors, engineers, lawyers, or even teachers like Ms. Thuy. I am also a lucky ferryman on the journey that she has guided. It is a journey filled with many emotions, seemingly far away.
I first met her in 10th grade, when she took on the position of teaching Literature. My first impression of her was of a middle-aged teacher with short hair, always wearing a short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers. Some of my classmates were worried, saying she looked too strict. But after just a few lessons, all prejudices were gradually broken. Underneath that strong exterior was a soft heart, devoted to her students.
By the end of 10th grade, I was selected to join the Literature enrichment class, based on my academic results and a seemingly joking question from the teacher: "Do you want to take the provincial exam, Truc? " The immediate nod sent me on a journey of revision for the next few summer months. The test papers of previous years, advanced content, or general knowledge of literary periods... were carefully compiled by the teacher and bound into A4 books and given to each of us. She did not force us to study day and night. What she imparted to us was literary thinking, how to approach the questions and the stimulation of creativity in each individual. Literature is not a stereotype of what is already available. She said so, then smiled every time a student came back to thank her after winning an award: "It's all thanks to your talent and efforts." Never taking credit, she always made students feel confident when recognized.
…To the University Door
At that time, I passed the entrance exam to Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, but the door to the lecture hall was still just opening. As a child from a poor family, whether I could go to university or not was still a mystery. In the long days after receiving the results, there were many sleepless nights of me sitting next to the admission notice. Tears rolled down.
She made an appointment to meet me one afternoon just after sunset. Over a cup of black coffee, the teacher and student were silent for about ten minutes. It seemed like there was too much to say, and yet it seemed like they didn't need to be expressed in words thanks to her empathy. Then she pulled out a small envelope and placed it on the coffee table. "It's not worth much, take this, consider it your transportation fare to Saigon to enroll in school." She said that, then looked at me very gently. Her gaze was full of pity for the little student who was facing a difficult situation. Five hundred thousand was quite a lot at that time, enough for a round trip. I resisted for a long time, finally accepting that kindness after saying: "You can pay however you want after you graduate. But for now, I need to go to university." Holding the envelope in my hand, I felt my heart burning. The heat rushed straight to my eyes, wetting my eyelashes. It seemed like across from me, she was also bending down, wiping the red corners of her eyes.
Ms. Thuy (standing in the middle) at the Conference of Civil Servants and Employees for the 2023-2024 school year
With her five hundred thousand, I took my first step into the gate of the Law University. The day I received my excellent graduation certificate, I immediately cried as soon as I picked up the phone and called her. Tears that I had been holding back for four years, that afternoon at the coffee shop. Tears of happiness and gratitude mixed together. It seemed that no amount of thank you was enough. I heard her sniffling on the other end. She was happy for me.
Work hard until retirement
She had only two more years to retire, but every time I visited her, she said she was preparing a teaching plan or busy with school work. The visits were outside of office hours or during holidays. I was suddenly startled to realize that in all her decades in the profession, she had never taken a single break. She had become much weaker, with a few minor illnesses. Every day she traveled a total of 28 kilometers, just to deliver more ferry trips. She said she did it all because of the orders from her heart.
The boatman is still working hard on her noble mission, occasionally supporting those in difficult circumstances who need to continue going to school like me before. Never asking for anything in return, she gives freely with the only wish that we reach our dreams and become useful people for society. She completely forgets all the debts from the past. Once I bought a gift to visit, she pretended to be angry, saying that she would not receive me. Just visiting is fine, but the gift must be brought home in its entirety. "You are still suffering, leave it there to spend." Every time, even when going out to eat, she would not let me pay. "Just graduated, where is the money to save to pay?" Those words sounded harsh, but they made me feel very warm. Ms. Thuy's love for her students is such an unconditional love.
The author (right cover) visited Ms. Thuy in early 2025.
Ms. Thuy passed on to me her love of literature, as well as her kindness and love for people. Even though I later did not pursue a career in literature like her, but instead chose law, I still nurtured that love like an unquenchable fire in my heart. So that in my debates, my sentences would become concise and fluent. So that when I analyzed the details of a case, I would have more gentleness and sympathy to consider "reasonably and appropriately". I just grew up every day through her lessons, turning the love she sent into motivation to live a better life.
One lazy afternoon, I suddenly remembered her, along with the five hundred thousand in the envelope from the past. That five hundred thousand has somehow become a soft mark in my heart every time I want to give up. The bustling city, the competitive office. Countless temptations are always waiting to drag me down, even if it is just a split second of a thought. It was the love of Ms. Thuy in the past that held me back before I was dissolved into the circle of fame and fortune. The words "I trust you" became a reminder for me to always practice and live a useful life every day.
Throughout this beloved land, I believe there are countless silent teachers like that. Their faces and names may not be remembered, but they have contributed to creating the first bricks for countless young buds of the country.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nguoi-thay-kinh-yeu-miet-mai-gieo-chu-miet-mai-cho-di-196250303151053956.htm
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