Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.

Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is a nation that has a long-standing traditional culture. Aulacese music is very rich; since ancient times, there have been many musical instruments that move the soul with a wide variety of sounds like those of the copper drum, gong, lithophone, bamboo xylophone, cymbals and panpipe. In 2003, Elegant Music, a form of Huế royal music, was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of the world.

Âu Lạc’s music represents the unique features of each region, for example, Quan Họ folksongs in the North, Huế tunes in the Central, and cải lương (modern folk opera) in the South. In addition, there are many other forms of music, including hò (work songs), lý (village songs), ceremonial songs, Aulacese classical opera, chèo traditional opera, Hồ Quảng opera, and so on.

Indeed, music has been deeply instilled in the hearts of people in this beautiful country, and has been cultivated until this day. Northern Âu Lạc has a folk art called xẩm singing that is very popular in the northern plains and midland. This genre, in the old time, was performed by minstrel bands.

In a gathering with a small group of our Association members some years past, Supreme Master Ching Hai was inspired to spontaneously compose and sing in the xẩm style a poem she had written in her late 20s in Germany. The poem was originally written in English which the poet herself translated into Aulacese.

We now invite you to enjoy an excerpt of the xẩm singing “We Don't Live More Than One Hundred Years!” composed and sung by Supreme Master Ching Hai.

I mean tonight I was nuts! But so what: Aren’t the rest of us!... Otherwise how could we carry on living, For life isn’t worth a thing!?

You know that I am still in love with you! But that has nothing to do... I cannot please everybody, So I will please me! That doesn’t mean you are not right; We all have only one life!

On Enlightening Entertainment, Supreme Master Television is pleased to introduce different forms of arts from Âu Lạc (Vietnam), as well as from other countries in the world, in order to share the beauty and cultures of the peoples on our planet.

Chèo traditional opera is a folk theater art which originated from the regions near the mountains and from the plains of northern Âu Lạc. There are varied opinions about the beginning of chèo traditional opera: the earliest time is believed to be in 4th century BCE and the most recent is 14th century, at the end of the Trần dynasty. Chèo is a narrative genre of folk theater, recounting stories through a combination of music, singing and dance.

One of the unique features of chèo is a skillful portrayal of subtle gestures and movements. During festivals, people in the plains of northern Âu Lạc often look forward to watching chèo traditional opera. The lyrics are infused with folk poetry and proverbs; tragedies are usually counter-balanced with satires. Chèo is replete with the pure simplicity of the common folk, yet equally profound in meaning.

The chèo traditional opera “Tấm Cám” is based on a famous Aulacese legend, about Tấm and Cám, two half-sisters with opposite personalities. Similar to the fairy tale “Cinderella” from Europe, the story of “Tấm Cám” is widely told among the Aulacese people. It reflects the concept of “good people attract goodness,” and highlights mercy for the wrongdoers’ lack of awareness, allowing them to have a chance to repent and make amends.

We now invite you to enjoy part 2 of the Aulacese chèo traditional opera titled “Tấm Cám” by Lưu Quang Thuận,

with performances by Quỳnh Mai as Tấm, Thanh Hường as Cám, Mai Hương as Cám’s Mother, Văn Quân as the Prince, Anh Tuấn as Guard Thìn, Xuân Hải as Village Elder , Mai Trang as Miss Xoan, Huệ Liên as Miss Nụ, Kim Quế as Miss Mận, Mai Lan as Miss Điều, Kim Cúc as Elder Đa , and other artists.

Please join us next Thursday for the conclusion on Supreme Master Television.

Thank you for watching today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. Coming up is Words of Wisdom. So long for now, and we’ll see you next week.

In the previous episode, diligent Tấm was able to gather lots of vegetables but was tricked by Cám to be left with none. She cried in self-pity, knowing that upon coming home, she'd be punished by her stepmother. To comfort her, the Buddha appeared and gave her a small goby for company. One day, when Tấm was away to tend the buffalo, the stepmother and Cám harmed the goby. When Tấm returned and called her fish to come up for his meal, she knew that her best friend had met with misfortune.

As she was crying, the Buddha appeared and advised Tấm to find the goby's bones to put into a jar and bury under the foot of the bed. On the day of the festival, not wishing to allow Tấm to go, the stepmother mixed the husked and unhusked rice so Tấm had to stay home to separate them. Once again, the Buddha appeared and sent sparrows to help Tấm sort the grains. The Buddha also gave her a beautiful outfit and shoes to attend the village festival.

Greetings, elders. Greetings, kind and young friends. I’m a visitor from afar coming to the countryside for the festival. Allow me to give the target a try.

Sure. Go ahead, please!

Right on target! He did it again!

Very good! Try better, young man!

Please move the target 30 meters farther. I’d like to shoot the last arrow.

Another 30 meters? All right. Target handler! Place the target 30 meters away. It’s ready now. Go ahead, please.

He made it.

He made it? It’s right on target?

Where is Elder Đa? Please offer the visitor a phoenix-shaped quid of betel.

You’re passing by our village for the festival. We’d like to offer you a fragrant quid of betel.

The betel quid prepared neatly in the shape of a soaring phoenix. (Soaring.) I must praise the hands that lend power to the phoenix’s freedom.

Attention, everyone! We invite you all to the riverbank to watch the boat racing contest. Attention, everyone!

Let’s go watch boat racing.

Go watch boat racing, children.

This way, please.

Have a good time, Elder.

Where are you, Thìn? (Yes.) Bring the horse here.

Yes. Go! Go! Oh God! Your Highness, Your Highness!

What is it?

It’s very strange. The white horse has gone insane. He refused to step onto the bridge but whinnied in high pitch for a while, then he lowered his body and sat on his knees until now. Even though I’m a highly skilled horse keeper, this stubborn horse has driven me crazy.

I’m familiar with this great horse since childhood. He’d go up hill or down dale obediently. If he kneels at this easy bridge and gentle stream, there must be a hidden reason.

Your Highness, I have no heart to watch you worry. The stream is shallow. Let me find out what is down there.

All right, go check it out.

Yes, Your Highness. Oh, my, my! The water is so cool! Ah! I’ve found it. A shoe embroidered with five-colored threads. It got stuck at the bridge pier. Your Highness, this shoe probably belongs to a festival goer who dropped it on her way.

A dropped shoe is just an accident. Why does the great horse kneel by the stream? How come my heart stirs all of a sudden? She’s like a bird in the sky, a fish in the water, where can I find her?

Your Highness, though festival goers are many, that person must be among them. Even if she’s gone far, you still have her shoe.

May I ask you, silver-haired elder: How can we find someone in the festival?

Your Highness, the small embroidered shoe will fit well the foot of its owner. Please have Mr. Thìn announce for everyone to come try the shoe.

You’re right. Thìn? (Yes.) Borrow a loudspeaker to make the announcement. (Yes.) This is perhaps a predestined affinity. I vow to tie a marital bond with the one whose foot fits the shoe, if she isn’t yet engaged to anyone.

This way, Your Highness!

May I borrow the loudspeaker? Attention, everyone! O women festival goers! Come to the bridge to try on the embroidered shoe. Anyone whose foot fits the shoe will be welcomed to the capital and become the Prince’s wife. Attention, everyone!

O sisters! Come try on the shoe. What a beautiful shoe!

Younger sisters! This small shoe creates a marriage affinity for a graceful country girl. Please come in to try on the shoe.

O Uncle! May I try it on?

Please do! Goodness! What giant feet! No, it doesn’t fit. Next one, please.

Can I try it, Uncle?

Sure, come in, please. Gee! Too tiny! Doesn’t fit. Next one!

O Uncle! (What is it?) Allow my niece, Tiny, to try on the shoe a little.

This young lady might make it! Come in, come in!

Oh, my! It’s so pretty. Come in here, child. This is truly a wonderful affinity. I’ve spent years polishing your looks. If that shoe fits this foot, my daughter will be the Prince’s wife. Go in to try it, sweetie!

Mister! (What is it?) Try the shoe on me. (Yes.) Then, go report to the Prince.

She hasn’t tried it but already wants to report.

Goodness! She hasn’t tried it but already wants to report. Well, Miss, you want to try on the shoe too? (Yes.) Yes, sure. Here it is. Goodness, what kind of foot is this! Look, everyone! Who cast such feet with protruding ankles? (Protruding ankles.) Some toes are horn nuts, others lime spatulas. (Lime spatulas.) Toe nails are like sharp knives. (Sharp knives.) Some toes bulge like a hill. (A hill.) Miss, may I ask if your mother ate a lot while bearing you as a child?

How do you know that?

My goodness! No wonder your feet look so smooth like ginger roots.

Enough! Just try the shoe on for me!

Fine, I will. Take a careful look, everyone. This is indeed the bogey’s foot with nine straps.

O sweetie! Is your foot too big or too small?

Ma’am, it’s neither too big nor too small. It just simply, totally… doesn’t fit. Anyone else wants to try?

O Mister! Or perhaps...

What now?

Let me try it.

Good God! You want to try on the shoe too? Yes, feel free, ma’am. Oh my! Woe to me! Please bend down this sky-pointed toe for me. Bend down, down, down! Fine then. Bent or not, try it on anyway! Try, try, try!

Enough! You’ve fractured my toes.

Awful! Did you have fun?

Her feet are like banana bulbs. Seeing people trying, she also wants to try. Well, respected elder, you’re welcome to try again, and go to the capital to be the Prince’s great grandmother. (Stop it!) Now, anyone else wants to try? That young lady! Come, come.

O Elder! Sister Tấm hasn’t tried it.

Go find and bring Tấm here.

Yes, Elder.

Sister Tấm!

Mother, Tấm’s here.

Greetings, Elder.

Go try on the shoe, child.

How could she get here that early? And where did she get such a beautiful outfit? When she goes home this time...

This is the shoe I dropped in the stream, so it must fit my foot. O Buddha, I feel so confused. If the shoe fits my foot, what will come next?

Come try on the shoe, Miss!

Go try it on, child!

For Heaven’s sake! Even a bell and musical stone are no match, much less a cast-off piece of broken earth pot.

Ignore her! Just come try it on.

Tấm, don’t be afraid. Just go try it on.

Go try it on, sister Tấm!

Yes.

Mom!

Let’s go home.

Ah, it fits! It fits!

O Elder, it’s the shoe that I dropped. Here is the other shoe.

Oh! You have the other shoe too? O mister, she has the other one too.

Really? Listen, everyone! Do you know who shot three arrows right on the target?

Who is he, mister?

He’s the Prince.

It’s the Prince, child!

His Highness is coming.

Here comes the Prince!

It’s our first meeting; I know not your name. How old are you? Do you have any relatives remaining? Your eyes are clear, a stream of flowing hair. Are you yet betrothed to anyone?

Tấm! The Prince asked you. Answer him, child.

Answer the Prince, sister Tấm!

Your Highness, I’m Tấm of the remote Mai village. I’ve seen 18 springs; my parents passed away long ago. As an orphan, I’ve endured rain and shine. I’m not yet engaged to anyone.

A grain of rice from Mai village, my life is like a grain of rice in Mai village, waiting for a day when a shoe brings about a harmonious marriage. In my hometown, the stream meanders around the hill.

You follow the stream that leads you to the bridge. Our hometown loves Tấm. We watch Tấm leave us for her sweet bond of love. A path of life adorned with myriad flowers. The good bird has fully grown. It takes wing, flying far away.

She’s risen overnight to the noble rank, as the King’s daughter-in-law for four months already. My daughter and I are in this village corner, unable to swallow our meals. My daughter is sulking from envy, while I am... I’m really boiling with anger. Today is her father’s death anniversary. When she comes back, I’ll...

O Mom! My sister Tấm is here now.

Really? Bring your sister in.

Greetings, Stepmother.

There you are, Tấm. I’ve been waiting; I thought you wouldn’t return. Where is the Prince, sweetie?

He didn’t feel well from his trip yesterday, so he had the soldiers escort me here to visit you and my sister. So, are you both well?

I’m fine.

Mr. Thìn, bring the gifts in here.

Tấm, since you’re back for your father’s death anniversary, it’s only right that you stay here a few days with us. Just tell the soldiers to go back and come for you in a few days. (Yes.)

Mr. Thìn! (Yes.) Tell the soldiers to go back for now, and report to the Prince that I’ll stay here. They can come for me in a few days.

Yes, but...

It’s all right. Just go!

Yes, Your Highness.

Look, children! Go prepare to pay worship to your father soon, then tonight you two can talk to your hearts’ content. Go inside, children. (Yes.)

Yes, Stepmother.

She asked me how I am. She looks lovely like a freshly opened peach blossom, yet I feel like I’m rubbed by salt and pierced by needles. Your stepmother is still as strong as a tiger. I walk firmly, speak discreetly, act promptly. All four corners in the backyard are quiet, yet I feel my inside burning hot. Get rid of the chewed betel quid, and no one will know anything. May the deities in ten directions witness this.

O Mom! Who do we invite to Dad’s death anniversary today?

What for? Tấm is back today; the more deserted the house, the better it is.

The festival unexpectedly led to my happy marriage. O clear well, I’m back now. Before, I was like a tormented hay and weed. Now I’m happy, flowers adorning my hair. Back in my home village, this small yard and well, I remember when I alone carried the heavy water buckets back and forth. Before, when Goby swam freely here, I used to talk to Goby. How I miss him! I didn’t expect to leave home on the festival day to follow you.

I miss my hometown. The well asks for you; it longs for your visit.

You good-for-nothing! You can’t even do just that. Your older sister just came home. She’s tired. How can she climb the tree?

Why are you scolding my sister?

Tấm, the betels for offering, you prepared very nicely. As for the areca, I’m not quite pleased. Help your sister climb the tree to pick young areca! There’s a bunch laden with areca nuts by the pond.

Cám! Why are you crying?

I fell down when climbing the areca tree. In our family, only you’re used to climbing trees. But you’re now a beautiful lady in luxurious clothes, it’s difficult to climb an areca tree.

O Cám, what’s difficult about it! I love our father and am back for his death anniversary. I wouldn’t mind climbing up high. Stepmother, I’m going to gather areca nuts by the pond. Please wait for me a moment.

Tấm! (Yes.) Take off your gown to climb easily, child!

Yes, Stepmother.

The areca trunk is mold-white. Who could fathom my heart? She climbs up high; I’ll let her fall into the deep pond.

Mom, what if the villagers find out?

Who’s here to know? Only after she dies, can we rise to wealth and honor. You’ll be the King’s daughter-in-law, and I’ll be the Prince’s mother-in-law. We’ll both enjoy a good life.

No, Mom, I beg you!

Let me go! (I beg you, Mom!) Let me go! (Mom!)

What are you doing at the tree’s foot, Stepmother?

I’m just chasing the ants away for you.

O Stepmother!

It’s done! She’s dead in the pond. The water swirls, the wind blows, and yellow leaves rustle. Water bubbles are settled. Who’d realize my deep-laid scheme? Who’d know about my act?

O Mom, what are we to do now?

I’ll fish her out, and bury her at night. We’ll leave for the capital at dawn. We’ll say that she caught a cold and died suddenly. (Mom!) Her younger sister will replace her instead. (Mom!)

Your life is over in the cold and deep pond. There’s Cám, a fragrant flower freshly blossoms, for the Prince to pamper. Go change your clothes; we’ll set out early. Cám will now replace Tấm. A clever plot, secretly carried out! Who’d know it?

I miss your washing clothes by the lake, with wafting lotus scent and rippling water. You passed away, the lotus are left to wilt and my heart to wither and dry up. I’m alone in the cold chamber behind the bamboo shade. My pain is so deep. Where are you now, beloved? Your flowery shoes I save as a remnant of your love. I miss your soft voice at night. My heart remains faithful to you. The front veranda and back garden are all quiet. I feel as if you are still walking in and out.

Oh, missing you, I sing a song of anguish. Having now remarried, do you still remember the person of old?

O Oriole! The bird’s earnest song has stirred the air in early morning.

Your Highness!

My child! (Mom!) The Prince went to Lạc Dương Mountain yesterday. You went after him on horseback. Did you catch up with him?

I got there when the Prince was set to return.

Did you go back with him?

No, Mom! On the way back, our horses were side by side, but for eight miles long, he only gazed at the cloud. I lament my lot day and night in this place. Without love, I’m afraid my riches and honor won’t last.

Just persevere. Even wood and stone will soften with time. Besides, your appearance is lovely. You must know how to fuel a fire. It’s sunny today. The Prince is taking a stroll around the lake. He probably will come back and sit here to play his flute. Just listen to me. Go make yourself beautiful like a fairy, then come out and talk to the Prince. Just do as you did yesterday and the day before.

But his being indifferent makes me feel self-pity.

A naive person like you is rare indeed. If I were still young like you, let alone one prince, even ten princes, I’d make them fall madly in love with me. (Mom!)

Now, go in and groom yourself.

Yes, Mom.

Thìn! (Yes.) Where are you going?

Respected great grandma, I am going to bring the Prince back, and play the flute to relieve his sorrow.

Is the Prince still sad?

Yes. A gentleman whose countenance is so gloomy that even stones feel pity for him. This morning I had to wake up early to entertain him to ease his depression.

How did you entertain him?

I played a monkey eating betels.

Mr. Thìn! (Yes.) The dishes I cooked and asked you to bring to the Prince yesterday evening, did His Highness make any comment?

I think they were all good, but what I liked best was the roasted one.

Did the Prince say so?

Oh, no.

Then, how do you know?

Because I ate it myself.

You dare? I’ll go report to the Prince.

Wait, wait! Respected ma’am, it’s like this. The Prince didn’t eat; he told me to have it. Besides, it takes so much effort and money to prepare these dishes, if even I dislike it, it’s a big waste.

Thìn! (Yes.) The Prince is my son-in-law. (Right!) I must take care of his nourishment. (Correct!) And you... (Yes.) Choose your words when speaking to me, you hear?

Yes, ma’am.

She’s indeed a monkey eating betel. Goodness! Here comes the daughter. Awful! Such mincing steps she takes! For God’s sake! She even preens herself. All right, let me play a joke on you, to lessen my resentment.

O beloved Prince! You’re at the age to enjoy married life. I’m 16, still brimming of youth. We’re not far apart; why make me wait for you? Why deny a fresh flower of passion? O Prince! I’m like a rain-soaked shirt; you’re like a kitchen fire. I’ve come to warm myself. I’m like a rain-soaked shirt.

You’re like a kitchen fire for me to come in to warm my hands. O beloved Prince! Let me kindle love and deepen our bond. Let me kindle love and deepen our bond. O beloved Prince!

My God! You sang very nice!

Why are you sitting here?

Your Highness, I sit here playing the flute for the Prince in there to listen.

I asked, why are you sitting here?

I finished playing the flute already. Now I’ll bring his robe to wash at the lake.

How dare you wear His Highness’ robe?

I’m holding His Highness’ robe. Am I supposed to throw it on the ground if I don’t put it on? But if I let his robe drop on the ground, it’s disrespectful to him.

How dare you mislead me into mistaking you as the Prince!

Goodness! I’m bearded like this, and someone mistook me as the Prince. It’s just because you’re deeply in love with the Prince that you took a chicken for a phoenix. Allow me to go wash the robe.

Wait! Go do other chores. Let me wash the robe, and remember to tell the Prince right away that I myself washed his robe for him, you hear? (Yes.)

Goodness! How can that kind of hand wash anything? She probably just dips it in the water once. If you like to wash, go ahead then.