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Young World
Perfect friendship
Tojy Mandapam
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Duong Le and Luu Binh wrote the final exams. Le passed, but Binh didn't. Then came Chau Long, the innkeeper, on the scene...
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Duong Le was a poor student who had to work as a labourer to finance his studies. His friend, Luu Binh, had inherited a big fortune and seemed well settled in life. When Luu Binh learned that Duong Le's studies were suffering because of the long hours of work, he invited him to his house until the final examinations.
Duong Le happily accepted the invitation. Thereafter, the two friends shared the same food and studied beneath the light of the same lamp.
Duong Le was conscious of the hardship in his life and worked hard, spending long hours in study. But, Luu Binh was confident in the security of his wealth and did not study as much.
When the examinations were held, Duong Le received a first class degree and was appointed as the Collector of one of the districts in Vietnam. His friend Luu Binh failed miserably.
The wealthy young man returned home, despondent. In his despair he became self-indulgent and reckless and squandered his fortune. Soon he became a poor man. In desperation, he tried to appear for his examinations again. But he met with failure.
Recalling that Duong Le was in charge of the district administration in the area, he swallowed his pride and decided to turn to him for help. He said to himself, "It is with my help that he has come up in life.'' His friend Duong Le not only refused to receive him, but also ordered his guards to drive him away. Luu Binh left the place disappointed.
That night Luu Binh arrived at a small roadside inn and made acquaintance with the innkeeper, a young woman named Chau Long. She welcomed him with a cup of steaming tea listened sympathetically as Luu Binh recounted the long story of his failures. Chau Long encouraged him to try again. She suggested that he remain at the inn and promised to help him in every way possible.
Freed from the temptations of excessive wealth, Luu Binh devoted himself exclusively to his studies. Days passed quickly and the time for the examinations approached. When the results were published, Luu Binh's name was at the top of the list. His joy knew no bounds. He returned to the inn with the good news, but to his dismay Chau Long had disappeared. He searched for her everywhere, but she was not to be found.
Many years passed until one day, in the execution of his duties, Luu Binh happened to be passing through the district of his old friend, Duong Le. The memory of his friend's ingratitude did not prevent him from paying a visit. This time Duong Le welcomed his fellow District Collector with great pleasure and offered him tea. As they were drinking and talking, a woman entered the reception room. She approached the two men smiling.
Consternation and astonishment crossed Luu Binh's face, for in that woman he recognised Chau Long, the supposed keeper of the inn. Duong Le then explained to his old friend that to have helped him openly would have produced no reform. Therefore he had sent his wife to encourage and aid him, until he would pass the examinations. He had been willing to make this sacrifice in the name of friendship.
And that is why people in Vietnam nod understandably and refer to the example of Duong Le and Luu Binh whenever they hear the story of a deep, unbreakable friendship.
A Vietnamese tale retold.
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