Short story: The seagull

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - 1. It is almost the end of January but the Tet atmosphere still seems to linger through the fleets of fishing boats going out to sea one after another. In the clear blue sky, seagulls are chirping and soaring in the spring sunshine. On the outpost island, young soldiers are eagerly waiting. The new recruitment season has arrived. In just a few days, young men, students who have just left school will take the ship to the island, join the unit, and keep the homeland's sea and islands peaceful.

Linh had just finished his shift and was walking slowly towards the undulating rocky beach, along the roots of several ancient banyan trees. The high, long rocky beach had become a long-standing breakwater. The islanders did not know exactly whether this rocky beach was natural or man-made. The rocks here were raised high and stacked neatly to block big waves and strong winds and became an interesting place for tourists to visit every time they came to the island.

The afternoon gradually turned dark, the splendid red sunsets drifted slowly across the sky and then hung suspended at the horizon. That was the brilliant image of nature at the end of the day before fading away to give way to the dark night. Linh stood still looking around, feeling the island lying listening to the abundant sound of the sea in a moment so peaceful. The gentle, cool wind blew across Linh's shoulders, carrying the salty taste of the sea. The tide was low. The waves were only gentle, then gradually receded, appearing before Linh's eyes were wet sand, exposed rocks and colorful coral reefs sparkling under the rare remaining fading afternoon sunlight.

2. Linh recalls his childhood, every time he stood on the wharf waiting for his father to return from fishing, he would look towards the highest mountain peak on the island, where the lighthouse's bright dots were always moving and flashing. He secretly wished that when he grew up, he would go to the island to work to discover the secrets of the ocean, to see with his own eyes, to touch the ocean with his own hands, a familiar, close and intimate image of the people who have spent their lives on the vast ocean. The lighthouse both guides and directs ships to distant seas, rich in fish and shrimp, and welcomes fishermen back to peaceful shores after days of drifting on the waves.

Knowing that his son loved the sea dearly and wanted to fulfill his dream at all costs, Linh's father, a fisherman who had spent more than half his life at sea and had faced many uncertainties from storms, gently said:
- The sea is a dangerous job, try to study hard to find a job to support yourself!
- Dad, I want to become a naval officer or a navy soldier, carrying a gun on my shoulder, protecting the sea and islands of my homeland.

Father Linh was truly moved. Because he knew that, out there on the island, the soldiers had overcome many difficulties and hardships when they had to be away from their families and loved ones, silently sacrificing their youth day and night to bring peace to the Fatherland. Many times fishing boats encountered accidents at sea, many long trips unfortunately encountered storms, it was the soldiers who bravely sent their ships to rescue, bringing the fishermen back to the island safely. It must be said that danger is always lurking, soldiers always face it to overcome it.
Knowing his father was worried and anxious, Linh reassured him with the faith and determination of a young, ambitious coastal boy.

3. The roads on the island are usually narrow and winding. The houses on the island often have low corrugated iron roofs, old cement walls, and are close together. The rows of trees on the island are all of the type that are long-lived and strong, suitable for the harsh weather and salty sea breeze. At the highest and most visible position is the lighthouse. Looking up from the barracks, amidst the vast clouds and sky, the lighthouse rises majestically, attracting all eyes.

Linh stood on the slope. Below, the waves were crashing against the shore, continuously and fiercely. During the rough sea days, Linh often looked out to sea, where boats were swaying, struggling against each fierce wave. The unusual and harsh weather made everyone worried and uneasy. Every afternoon, women and mothers went to the sea to look out. Their tired eyes looked into the distance.

All the islanders hope for calm seas and favorable trips to make their lives comfortable. However, over the years, the weather has changed, with unseasonal storms and tropical depressions. Many trips have been returned with light boats, and the money earned is not enough to cover expenses and pay their fellow boatmen. Some people have pulled their boats ashore, quit their jobs, and found other jobs to make a living. On holidays, the army unit is assigned by their superiors to visit each house and give gifts. These gifts are sent from the mainland, containing the warm affection between the army and the people, and also contain daily necessities such as pork and vegetables that the soldiers have taken advantage of to grow.

An old fisherman carried a bundle of nets from the beach. His body was tanned and strong. Linh nodded in greeting. The old man happily stopped to ask him how he was. It turned out that the old fisherman, like his father and many other fishermen, had been attached to the sea, grateful to the sea and indebted to the sea for his entire life. But then an accident happened, forcing him to leave the sea for more than a year. He missed the sea so much. He missed the trips out to sea. He missed the dark nights on the vast ocean. Each person had a fishing boat, bobbing on the waves, at a safe distance, the signal connecting them was a flashlight. He used to think that just one day away from the sea, not being able to breathe in the salty taste of the sea, he would probably feel sad and lonely. But...

It seems that all people who are attached to the sea have conflicting thoughts. They are grateful to the sea, but sometimes they are afraid of it. Children in fishing villages, especially boys, from birth, the song of the boatman is also covered in sand and the taste of the sea seeps into their skin. Boats going out to sea, late afternoons when mothers and grandmothers wait at the dock. Torn nets are hung out to dry along the beach. Baskets of fish are left on the dock waiting for trucks to pick them up. All have become familiar images of their childhood and are deeply ingrained in their memories. When they grow up, their generous personalities, dark skin, and rustic accents... have followed them, helping them to be proud of their unique homeland.

4. Linh and his comrades went on patrol. Darkness began to spread and enveloped the island in the depths. He stood still and looked out at the sea. The sea lulled him with each wave. The gun in his hand, pride filled his heart. Looking up at the sky, the stars were twinkling, falling all over the water.

Only a few more days until the new soldiers are welcomed. Throughout the island and in the barracks, the atmosphere has begun to become bustling. The most noticeable image is that the soldiers, in addition to patrolling and doing their duties, are assigned to decorate the hall, the place where the new soldiers are welcomed, in a solemn and warm manner. The bougainvillea pots placed along the corridor have been shaped since the middle of last year, blooming since Tet until now. The flower beds, miniature landscapes in the front yard, and the grass path leading from the barracks gate are also trimmed, looking very beautiful. The soldiers also take advantage of the southern apricot trees and northern peach branches made of fabric for Tet, neatly placed in suitable positions.

MH: VO VAN

Every time Linh welcomes new soldiers, memories of the past come flooding back to him. That day was not long ago, when the university graduate volunteered to join the army. Many friends tried to dissuade him because of his excellent degree and the many opportunities that opened up before him. But Linh had already thought about it, holding a gun to protect the Fatherland was also his dream, his aspiration. The day Linh left the mainland to go to the island, his father gave him a tight hug. The warmth of his father's faith and encouragement still resonates to this day.

Linh is an emotional person, so he is easily moved. On the island outpost surrounded by storms, many nights Linh ran out to the cliffs and sat crying because he missed his parents, missed his hometown... One time he felt extremely ashamed when he looked up and saw the platoon leader smiling at him.
- Just cry, it's okay, it's human psychology!

Then the platoon leader told that in the past, he and his wife had a habit of writing letters by hand. Every time they received a letter, so many memories and longings came flooding back. Especially when they had their first child, looking at the photo of their child between two pages of the letter, they missed each other so much that tears welled up in their eyes. Then when they had a phone, now that their child was grown, it was easier to communicate, and the longing subsided, because they felt like their family was by their side.
Linh wiped away his tears and followed the lieutenant colonel to the unit's cultural activities.

5. The sea began to welcome the rays of the sun. The gentle wind blew in cool gusts. The harbor was bustling and busy. Linh went to the harbor. Today was an important event that happened every year. He was excited, looking far away, waiting. The sky was high and wide, with clouds drifting lazily.
Linh smiled wistfully, feeling his soul had just flown with the excited seagulls.

CEILING PAINT

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Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc/202502/truyen-ngan-chim-hai-au-bb36a3e/