The Legend of the Dragon Fruit: A Vietnamese Tale of Love & Sacrifice

The Legend of the Dragon Fruit

Long ago in a verdant countryside, there lived a kind-hearted young woman named Tố Tâm. She was known throughout her village not just for her beauty, but for her gentle soul and her unwavering respect for all living creatures. Unlike other farmers who struck their bulls to pull heavy wagons, Tố Tâm refused to burden them unnecessarily. Instead, she pushed the cart from behind, her strength guided by compassion.

One morning, while making her way to the village market, her wagon became stuck in a muddy pothole. After much effort and mud-stained clothes, Tố Tâm managed to free her wagon with the help of her faithful bulls. But her efforts did not go unnoticed—unfortunately not for kindness, but for ridicule.

Mạnh Chiến, a spiteful neighbor, mocked her openly. His jealousy of her family’s successful farm knew no bounds, and he never passed up an opportunity to belittle her. Unfazed, Tố Tâm carried on, focusing on selling her produce.

That day, however, the marketplace buzzed with news that chilled the air—rumors of a dragon sighted near the village. An old man swore he saw its wings shadow his house the night before, and the villagers whispered in excitement and fear. Some demanded the King be notified, greedy for the reward he had promised for capturing such a beast.

After a long day, Tố Tâm returned home, weary but content from her sales. As she guided her bulls into the barn, a strange, thunderous snore reverberated through the wooden beams. Cautiously, she ventured deeper inside and, behind a mound of hay, discovered the source—a dragon, green as the forest canopy, adorned with shimmering scales and formidable spikes along its spine.

Tố Tâm should have been terrified, yet the barn animals rested undisturbed, sensing no threat. As she stepped closer, the dragon’s eyes fluttered open. Without moving its mouth, it spoke directly into her mind.

“I mean no harm. The storm last night was relentless, and your animals said you would not turn me away. I am Yù, guardian of beasts.”

Curiosity outweighed her fear. Yù explained that he consumed only what nature offered—scavenging rather than hunting. He spoke with wisdom, conveying kindness that mirrored Tố Tâm’s own nature. As their silent conversation unfolded, voices erupted outside. Mạnh Chiến had stirred the villagers, accusing the Trần family of sheltering the dragon.

Though they searched the barn, Yù had vanished, camouflaging against the walls so perfectly that even Tố Tâm’s father was astonished. That night, the bond between Yù and the Trần family deepened. Yù stayed hidden, sharing stories of distant lands, and teaching Tố Tâm how to channel her inner energy—her essence. She learned to feel the warmth within her soul, guiding it like a flickering flame through her body.

But such peace could not last. Mạnh Chiến, driven by greed, secretly followed Tố Tâm and discovered Yù’s hiding place. He summoned the King’s soldiers, led by the ruthless General Đặng, who seized Tố Tâm and threatened her life to lure Yù into captivity. Out of love and duty, Yù surrendered to protect her.

Both were imprisoned and brought before the King—a frail man hungry not just for power, but immortality. He craved Yù’s essence, believing it would grant him eternal life. To coerce Yù, he promised to save Tố Tâm, whose injuries and illness had worsened. But the King’s thoughts betrayed him—he had no intention of keeping his word.

Sensing the deception and seeing Tố Tâm on the brink of death, Yù broke free. He carried her in his claws, soaring beyond the village, past the fields, into the serene embrace of the southern mountains. There, with a breathtaking view of the lands below, Tố Tâm opened her eyes weakly, marveling at the beauty she had long dreamed of seeing.

As night fell and the chill deepened, she grew colder and weaker. Desperate, Yù decided to sacrifice himself. He concentrated all his essence into a glowing orb, a fiery sphere that solidified into a fruit. As the last of his life force transferred, his body turned to ashes, carried away by the wind.

“Thank you, Tố Tâm,” his final words echoed in her heart.

Barely alive, Tố Tâm cradled the warm fruit, realizing its precious gift. Instead of consuming it alone, she too breathed her remaining essence into it. Together, their souls intertwined within the fruit, and her body too dissolved into dust.

Years later, from that sacred spot, a unique plant emerged—the dragon fruit. Its vibrant pink skin represented Tố Tâm’s love and warmth, while its green, spiked exterior mirrored Yù’s form. The plant blossomed under the moonlight, producing ethereal flowers known as “Ladies of the Night” or “Moonflowers.”

And so, the dragon fruit stands as a symbol of friendship, sacrifice, and enduring kindness—a legacy born from two pure souls who gave everything for each other.

✅ Moral of the Story:

True friendship knows no bounds, and real love often means sacrificing one’s own life for the happiness and well-being of others. The legend of the dragon fruit reminds us that kindness and selflessness create legacies that endure long after we are gone.