The Legend of the Watermelon

In ancient Vietnam, during the reign of the mighty Hung Vuong dynasty, there lived a beloved prince named Mai An Tiem. He was the eighteenth son of King Hung Vuong XVIII, known throughout the kingdom for his intelligence, kindness, and unwavering loyalty to his father and the realm.

Prince Mai An Tiem was especially favored by the king, who saw in him a reflection of the best qualities a ruler could possess. The prince’s wisdom in council, his compassion for the people, and his filial devotion made him a shining example to his many brothers and the court officials.

However, this special favor aroused jealousy among some of his brothers and courtiers, who whispered poisonous words about the prince’s popularity. They claimed that Mai An Tiem’s success came too easily, that he had never truly been tested by hardship, and that his devotion was merely because he had always enjoyed his father’s protection and the palace’s luxuries.

One day, during a grand celebration at the royal court, the conversation turned to the topic of gratitude and self-reliance. Some courtiers began to debate whether a person’s success was due to their own efforts or to the circumstances of their birth and the support they received from others.

Prince Mai An Tiem, speaking from his heart, declared, “Everything I am and everything I have achieved, I owe to my father the king, to our ancestors, and to the blessings of heaven. Without these gifts, I would be nothing.”

But the jealous courtiers twisted his words, suggesting to the king that the prince was being arrogant, implying that his success was entirely due to his own merit rather than acknowledging the king’s benevolence. They whispered that Mai An Tiem believed he could succeed anywhere, under any circumstances, without his father’s help.

King Hung Vuong, influenced by these malicious whispers and wanting to test his son’s character and resolve, made a difficult decision. He called Prince Mai An Tiem before the court and announced, “My son, since you believe so strongly in your own abilities, I shall give you the opportunity to prove them. You will be exiled to a remote island in the South China Sea, with only your wife, your children, and basic supplies. There you must build a new life using only your own skills and determination.”

Prince Mai An Tiem was shocked by his father’s decree, but he accepted it with dignity and grace. He knew that protesting would only make matters worse, and he trusted that his father, though stern, was ultimately just. With a heavy heart but an unbroken spirit, he gathered his wife, Princess Thi, and their young children, and prepared for their exile.

The royal boat carried them to a small, seemingly barren island far from the mainland. The island was covered with wild grass and scattered rocks, with no signs of human habitation or cultivation. As the boat departed, leaving them alone on the shore, Prince Mai An Tiem felt the full weight of his situation for the first time in his life.

The first months on the island were incredibly challenging. The family had to learn to fish, to build shelter from bamboo and palm fronds, and to find edible plants and roots. Princess Thi, who had never worked with her hands, learned to weave baskets and mend clothes. The children, though young, helped gather shellfish and tend the small fire that provided warmth and protection.

Prince Mai An Tiem discovered strengths he never knew he possessed. He became skilled at crafting tools from stone and wood, at reading the weather patterns, and at finding fresh water sources. His noble education, which had seemed so theoretical in the palace, proved valuable as he applied his knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and natural philosophy to solve practical problems.

Despite their hardships, the family grew closer. They shared their meager meals with gratitude, told stories by the firelight, and found joy in small victories – a successful fishing expedition, a shelter that withstood a storm, or a new edible plant discovered in the island’s interior.

One day, while exploring a remote part of the island, Prince Mai An Tiem discovered something extraordinary. Near a small freshwater spring, he found strange vines bearing large, round, green fruits striped with darker green bands. The fruits were unlike anything he had ever seen – much larger than melons, with a hard outer shell but somehow different from gourds.

Curious but cautious, Mai An Tiem observed the fruits for several days. He noticed that birds pecked at them without harm, and when some fruits fell and cracked open, he saw the bright red flesh inside, dotted with black seeds. The sweet aroma that emanated from the broken fruits was irresistible.

Finally, Mai An Tiem decided to taste the mysterious fruit. He carefully cut one open and found the flesh to be incredibly sweet and refreshing, full of juice that quenched his thirst better than water alone. The taste was unlike anything he had ever experienced – sweet, cooling, and deeply satisfying.

Excitedly, he brought the fruit back to his family. Princess Thi and the children were amazed by its delicious taste and how it seemed to refresh and energize them. They discovered that the fruit’s high water content made it especially valuable during the hot season, and its natural sugars provided energy for their daily labors.

Mai An Tiem carefully saved the seeds from the first fruits and, using his knowledge of agriculture learned during his education, planted them near their shelter. He tended the plants with great care, watering them with precious fresh water and protecting them from the salt spray and strong winds.

To his delight, the plants grew rapidly in the island’s tropical climate. Within a few months, they had produced an abundant harvest of the wonderful fruits. The family now had a reliable source of food and refreshment that could sustain them through any season.

But Prince Mai An Tiem’s wisdom extended beyond mere survival. He realized that these remarkable fruits could be valuable to others as well. When trading vessels occasionally passed near their island, he would signal to them and offer to trade the fruits for other necessities – rice, cloth, tools, and news from the mainland.

The sailors and merchants who tasted the fruits were amazed by their refreshing qualities and sweet taste. Word began to spread among the trading networks about the “miracle fruit from the exile’s island.” Demand grew quickly, and soon Mai An Tiem found himself running a thriving trade business.

The fruits, which the traders began calling “tay qua” (western melon) because they came from an island to the west, became highly sought after throughout the region. Mai An Tiem’s careful cultivation and fair trading practices earned him respect and prosperity, even in exile.

Meanwhile, reports of the exile prince’s success reached the mainland and eventually the royal court. King Hung Vuong heard tales of his son’s resourcefulness, his discovery of the wonderful new fruit, and his success in building a new life from nothing. The king also learned how Mai An Tiem had maintained his dignity and virtue throughout his trials, never speaking ill of his father or expressing bitterness about his exile.

As years passed, the king began to realize that the jealous courtiers had manipulated him and that his son had truly proved his worth through his own efforts. Mai An Tiem had demonstrated not only that he could succeed on his own merits but that he possessed the character and wisdom worthy of a great leader.

Finally, King Hung Vuong could no longer bear to be separated from his worthy son. He sent a royal delegation to the island with an invitation for Mai An Tiem to return to court, along with a formal acknowledgment that the prince had more than proved his capabilities and character.

When the royal delegation arrived, they found a transformed Prince Mai An Tiem. He was tanned and strong from his labors, wise from his experiences, and surrounded by the evidence of his success – flourishing watermelon fields, a comfortable home, and a thriving trade with the mainland.

Mai An Tiem received his father’s invitation with joy, but also with the wisdom he had gained through his trials. He understood now that true success comes not from privilege or circumstances, but from one’s own efforts, character, and perseverance. He had learned to value self-reliance while still cherishing family bonds and loyalty.

The prince returned to the mainland with his family and brought with him seeds of the wonderful fruit he had discovered. He shared these seeds freely with farmers throughout the kingdom, teaching them how to cultivate what would become known as the watermelon.

King Hung Vuong welcomed his son back with great ceremony and publicly acknowledged the injustice of his exile. The king had learned his own lessons about the dangers of listening to jealous advisors and the importance of trust between father and son.

From that time forward, watermelons became one of Vietnam’s most beloved fruits. They were especially valued during the hot summer months for their cooling properties and sweet taste. The fruit became a symbol of resourcefulness, perseverance, and the ability to find sweetness even in difficult circumstances.

Prince Mai An Tiem was restored to his position at court and eventually became one of his father’s most trusted advisors. His experience in exile had given him a deep understanding of the common people’s struggles and the practical challenges of governance, making him an even more effective leader.

The story of Mai An Tiem and the watermelon became a beloved Vietnamese legend, passed down through generations as a tale of redemption, forgiveness, and the rewards of perseverance. It teaches that true worth is proven through actions and character, not through birthright or privilege.

To this day, when Vietnamese families share watermelon on hot summer days, they remember Prince Mai An Tiem’s story and the lesson that even in exile and hardship, one can discover unexpected blessings and build a meaningful life through determination and wisdom.

The watermelon remains a symbol in Vietnamese culture of abundance emerging from adversity, of the sweet rewards that come to those who persist through difficult times, and of the importance of maintaining one’s character and dignity regardless of circumstances.