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.

SORRY darling if I could wait no more, I am not a nun, and never want to be so. You don’t wish to share your life, So let me go on my way!

I know you think I am crazy, But what difference will that be? I live my life as I please No matter what others think. Everyone has different things!

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 Aulacese chèo traditional opera titled “The Golden Areca” is an interesting tale about the road to success of Thức, a gentle and intelligent student. Sometimes people don’t recognize their inherent wisdom or talent until they are in a difficult situation. Realizing this, Miss Tuyết, his betrothed, graciously encourages and quietly helps him, exemplifying a noble love.

We now invite you to enjoy part 2 of the Aulacese chèo traditional opera titled “The Golden Areca” by playwright Trần Đình Ngôn,

with performances by Phú Kiên as Thức the Student, Đoàn Bình as Thức’s Mother, An Chinh as Miss Tuyết, Thanh Mai as Yến Nhi, Quốc Anh as the Mandarin’s Son, Vũ Ngọc as the Son’s Valet, Ngọc Kình as King, Thanh Ngoan as Queen, Kim Liên as Princess, Hải Điệp as Eunuch, Ngọc Minh as Royal Physician, Đoàn Vinh as Royal Chancellor, Trần Hải as a Candidate to Cure the Princess, and other artists.

Thank you for your company on today’s Enlightening Entertainment. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. Up next is Words of Wisdom. May you and your family be graced with Heaven’s love and blessings. Farewell for now.

In the previous episode, Miss Tuyết was waiting for the outcome of the court exam taken by her fiancé Thức. Their two families had pledged that only when Thức attained success would a wedding take place. Unexpectedly, that year all the students in the village failed the exam. Upon learning of this news, the mandarin's son, an unlettered man, came over to mock them.

Meanwhile, the Princess suddenly became mute. The King decreed that whoever could cure the Princess would be conferred as the Prince Consort. Since Thức had not attained the top honor after three chances, Miss Tuyết returned the betrothal gifts of areca and betel. Believing that he had betrayed the trust of his beloved and aging mother, Thức was determined to set out for the capital to find a teacher to further his education and, at the same time, find a way to cure the Princess.

It’s the punishment issued by the King.

How do you mean?

I promised to cure the Princess’ muteness, but was thrashed because I didn’t make it. I was clever to cushion my behinds with areca sheaths. Please remove for me; it’s awkward to sit. O God, I’m dying! It’s so painful! But they struck from the shoulders down. If you intend to go in to cure the Princess, then forget it, brother.

What medicine did you give to the Princess?

What medicine? I just gave her some super strong wine.

Goodness! How can wine cure a serious illness?

Because I remembered the saying “Wine in, words out.” I thought after taking the strong wine, she’d talk right way.

So you got thrashed because you misunderstood that idiom. “Wine in, words out” is used to advise people not to drink because their speech might be inappropriate.

Some people, just by smelling it, already talk nonstop. They’d reach for the sky while crawling on four limbs. Ouch! It hurts so much!

The ignorant who like to brag would spurt out words without drinking wine. But the Princess is mute, no wine could cure her.

No doubt I’m a fool!

Goodbye. I’m taking leave now.

Brother, where are you going? You plan to go in to cure the Princess?

Is something wrong with that?

But how are you going to cure her? What kind of medicine? The Princess wouldn’t take just any medicine given to her. The royal physicians carefully check for poison. The other day, a man brought in 9 pills, claiming those were his family’s well-kept miracle medicine. But when the royal physician dipped the stick for poison check, its silver color turned black. It was thanks to his father, a court official, who pleaded; otherwise he’d be beheaded for poisoning the Princess.

So he was pardoned?

No way! He got a thrashing even more painful than mine, you hear? Brother, please help me to a boat at the pier. Going home this time, I’ll be ashamed to face my wife, children and neighbors.

All right, I’ll help you.

Ouch! It hurts terribly! Easy! Ouch!

It’s like dreaming to pluck a star from the sky. It hurts so much! Carry me please, brother.

I’ve awakened from the thrashing that I deserved, but even till death, I was still greedy.

You travel on a long journey, leaving someone heavy- hearted because of you. It isn’t easy to compete at the court.

We’ve arrived outside the citadel. Let’s rest here for now.

Miss, there’s a saying: “A small areca has a veined shell. You study close by today, afar tomorrow. I’ve been engaged to you since I was 13. At 24, for fear of getting old, I returned the betel and areca.”

You already know that and still make fun of me. I’m labeled as disloyal, but Mr. Thức will one day achieve success.

So you insisted on refusing his proposal to make him feel bitter and become more determined.

He wouldn’t sit waiting for the next exam. Instead he already went to the capital to seek a good teacher and fine books.

But I’m afraid that he’d want instant success and take a risk to cure the Princess’ muteness.

I also thought about that.

He knows nothing about medicine, so he’ll surely get disciplined.

That’s why I’m following him to the palace, in case he is badly beaten and collapse.

He’ll be crushed for sure. I reckon he won’t let us help him home, but he’ll probably despair and take his own life.

O God! That might happen as well. Yến Nhi, what do you think I should do now?

Miss, I think you must find him, apologize to him, then sweet-talk him into going home. If he resorts to his “bare-comings”…

Shortcomings! Who’d say bare?

Goodness! You’re known as a learned person and don’t know “short” means a little. A little is still something, right? But in this case, it’s nothing at all, so we must call it bare.

What you said makes sense.

So you agree that I’m right? Such a serious task and Mr. Thức dares to plunge in with his “bare-comings.” He’s certainly heading for disaster. Miss, if you let him die, we both will regret for life. Earth must give way to Heaven. I beg you to quickly find him and apologize. Tell him not to dream of becoming a Prince Consort, but be contented as a commoner whose life is still full of love and tenderness.

For many years, he’s studied very hard from dawn to late night. He’s famous for his literary talent in the region, yet he failed three exams. His time hasn’t yet come, so he must wait. Let’s go to the Royal Chancellor’s palace. We’ll kneel at the gate to petition for a review of exam papers.

Requesting a review of exam papers?

Yes, I’ll petition for a review of Mr. Thức’s exam papers. I heard that the Royal Chancellor is a wise, just and upright official.

But the Royal Chancellor is in a well-guarded place. What if the guards don’t let you in?

If the guards don’t let me in, I’ll kneel outside the gate with the petition.

I’ll say something foolish now. If it rains hard with gusty wind, will you still kneel?

I’ll still kneel with the petition at the palace’s gate.

If the guards clear the way for His Excellency and stab you with spears?

I’ll still sit there unmoved with the petition.

O God! No one is more devoted than you. I give in to you; I admire you.

All right, let’s go now.

It hurts so much, Valet! They beat me up so bad.

What are you lamenting about? Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

It hurts! Ouch! Valet, Valet!

What medicine did you give that made the mandarin so mad and order the guards not to carry you? If I must drag you all the way home, I’d drop dead.

Just work hard, I’ll reward you. When I become a mandarin, you’ll enjoy plenty of privileges; who else?

Oh my! Scanty morals, meager talent, and still craving to be the Prince Consort! You spent so much gold and silver to buy fake medicine; 100 thrashings were well-deserved. If you didn’t die, you’re very fortunate already. Only I suffer. You’re so big and heavy, but you make scrawny me carry you on my back.

It hurts terribly!

O master! You’re your parents’ pet.

Yet they beat me so badly.

You’re used to being pampered. (Right!) Excess greed brings disgrace. You suddenly got thrashed. If you died, I wouldn’t have to suffer.

How cheeky! You wish me dead so you don’t have to carry me? How dare you!

Valet, what are you doing?

O master! (Yes?) If you beat me now, you’ll be in trouble.

In trouble? You dare to beat me back?

No, I won’t fight back. But if beaten, I’d pretend to be in pain. If I don’t carry you, you’ll surely die. You’re only used to walking on someone else’s feet. If I throw you down, you’d have... to crawl.

Valet, I now allow you to carry me home on your back. All right, get on my back.

I’m so hurt. They beat me so badly.

Get on!

Be good! You’re standing straight like a piece of wood; how can I ride on your back?

I’m determined not to be humiliated. Now, if you want me to carry you, you must allow me to treat you like a pampered child. I’d carry you like a father indulging his son by carrying him to visit the neighbors.

You’re becoming more disrespectful everyday. You told me to call you Father? How rude!

Greetings, Sir! Did you get hurt from falling?

Oh, look! Is that you, dear Tuyết?

You haven’t cured the Princess, so don’t go back to show your shameful face.

Who do you say is showing his shameful face?

Let me finish talking first. Your servant is carrying you, your face is on his back. Isn’t he carrying your face back to the village?

That’s right.

Do you remember you once bet with us? If you can’t cure the Princess and get dismissed with some thrashing, then you must let us ride on your back as you crawl around the inn. You should go back and strengthen yourself with nourishment to look befitting of your family’s status.

Well, go back to strengthen yourself with nourishment.

Ouch! It hurts badly. Oh God!

To befit your family’s status. Well, master and servant can carry each other home. We must go in to see who is selected as the Prince Consort.

No, I’m not going back. I must cure the Princess’ muteness. I’m not going home.

So you don’t plan to go home anymore. Are you going to stay here to slam your head against the stone wall and die?

I must cure the Princess’ muteness. I’m not going home.

You’ve been thrashed for giving poisoned medicine, now you’d endure pain to gain a feast. O master! (Yes?) Please listen to me. Just go home and let the villagers ride on your back. The most it takes is one day. If you stay here to cure the Princess, I’m sure you’d die this time.

No! I’m used to riding on others’ backs. I can’t let them ride on mine. I must cure the Princess, but I have no idea how I’m going to do it.

I already found a way.

You did? (Yes.) How? Tell me now.

I think the Princess’ illness is an unusual case.

Unusual illness?

If medicine doesn’t work, then we must cure by tricks. Understand?

Right, curing by tricks. You’re not that dim. (That’s right.) But, curing by tricks... I don’t know what tricks there are. Tell me.

Very easy.

Very easy! What does that mean? Let me hear it.

But master, even if you don’t marry the Princess, you’re already very rich. (Right.) If you eat rice, you should let me eat porridge. I’ve thought of a wonderful trick.

A wonderful trick?

A wonderful trick.

You’ve come up with a good trick?

Correct! A fantastic idea!

Let me hear it.

I won’t be so foolish and squeeze my brain to give you ideas for free. I’m not unwise like that anymore. It’s my turn now to go in to cure the Princess.

Stay right there! (I’m staying.) Even a seventh generation servant dreams of becoming the Prince Consort? (Sure.) As my servant, you must attend to all my needs, you hear?

I didn’t hear that.

You’re arguing with me? Even if I squeeze dry your brain, you’re not to resent.

I’ll resent anyway.

If you don’t disclose your idea, I forbid you to go in to show your talent.

I know I can’t escape your and your father’s hands. Fine, I will serve you according to the level of appreciation you show me.

But you must pay respect to me the way Liu Bei asked Kong Ming for advice.

Oh good, I like Liu Bei. Tell me what you need then.

Now, you go out there and slowly walk in.

Go out and slowly walk in. Why?

Every 3 steps, you kneel down and bow to me.

You’re getting more cheeky every day. You’d make me bow to a servant? What insolence!

Who said you’d bow to me? You’re bowing to the intelligence that I will squeeze out for you.

Fine. I can bow to your intelligence.

Sure? Now you stand here. I’ll go sit out there. Listen to my order.

Oh God, I must follow your order too?

Music. Three steps, one kneel. (One.) Seven steps, four bows. (Bowing.) Bow. (Bow.) Bow. (Bow.) Prostrate. (Prostrate.) Bow. Prostrate. Be at ease. All right! Good enough.

Tell me now. I’m so anxious.

Come here! I’ll unfold my intelligence for you to see.

Tell me quickly.

Those who fall silent either resent the world or despise it. (Correct!) To force these silent people to speak, there are only two ways.

Two ways? What are they? Hurry up! Tell me.

One way is to praise and flatter them to the skies.

Praise and flatter them to the skies.

Right. Praise them with flowery words; they’d be so ecstatic that they’d say something.

They’d be so ecstatic that they’d say something.

How about the second way? Tell me.

The second way? The second way is to use harassing, probing, or insulting words

Impossible!

Why not? Use only vulgar remarks; they’d feel provoked and say something.

They’d feel provoked and say something.

That’s right! I’m very sure both ways will work. That’s your style, so it should be a piece of cake.

Heaven help me, indeed! How come you’re so smart? I swear if I marry the Princess, I’ll appoint you the trade officer.

Trade officer?

That shows who is smart. Clearly, you’re foolish and I’m wise.

O master!

Let’s cure the Princess’ illness, so that on this beautiful day, the Prince Consort’s post ends up with me.

Let’s go, master. (Let’s go.)

His Majesty hasn’t held a court meeting for a month. Court’s affairs have been put aside. Many people have offered miracle medicines to cure the Princess’ muteness, but her serious ailment stays the same; she still doesn’t utter half a word.

For God’s sake, that’s others’ business. The mandarins are here already.

I already told you. It’s incurable. Even Hua Tuo or Bian Que would be helpless. The King issued a decree and invited all healers to offer their skills. It’s been over a month, but Her Highness still sits like a statue.

But you doctors only think of medicinal cures, while there are many home remedies among the common folk.

Those are people who don’t have medical knowledge, acting recklessly from false beliefs. If they can cure her, it’s out of pure chance. I already asked His Majesty to impose a strict rule: The candidates can only treat by medicine, not by black magic nonsense. Our Princess is of noble lineage, having a Buddha’s virtues and a fairy’s looks, so one must treat her illness with utter care.

I know. But you doctors insist on curing by medicine. Isn’t it too extreme?

Oh, please! You should be discussing literature, not medicine.

His Majesty has arrived.

Long live the King!

Be at ease! Phương Dung, try to wait a few more days, child. There may be a gifted person from a remote area, who heard of my decree but has yet to make it here. This morning, another person asked to present a miracle cure. Go behind the curtain and wait for the Royal Physician to do a thorough poison check, then you can take the medicine. Eunuch! (Yes.) The one with the miracle cure may come in!

The one with the miracle cure may come in!

Long live Your Majesty.

Be at ease, both master and servant.

Your Majesty!

Yes?

If my memory serves me right, this is the one who gave the poisoned medicine. Your Majesty already spared him the death sentence. I wonder if the Eunuch mistakenly accepted him, or was he bribed with lavish gifts?

Your Majesty, this is the son of the Minister of Trade. Last time, he bought the wrong medicine. He accepted the whipping without any complaint. Now he’d like to redeem his mistake. Besides, the royal decree didn’t forbid a person to try twice. Perhaps he might have found a miracle remedy. Please allow him to cure the Princess.

He’s the son of the Minister of Trade? (Yes.) All right, I’ll grant him a favor. Give your miracle medicine to the Royal Physician to check for poison.

Present it! (Yes.)

White peony, golden root, wild cardamom, nut grass.

Your Majesty, the ingredients are not poisonous but irreverent.

Why irreverent?

Your Majesty the Queen! This isn’t miracle medicine but for a difficult pregnancy.

Insolent! You use the pretext of offering a miracle cure to insult my daughter? A flower just blossoms in the spring garden. How dare you say butterflies and bees are already weary with it! My virtuous daughter is still waiting for the right person. And you diagnosed her as being pregnant? Your Majesty, please have him whipped by the guards. Such an insolent must be punished regardless of whose son he is.

Beloved Queen, lessen your anger to hear his explanation.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I’d like to speak for the young nobleman. Medical texts of old and present that I’ve read say: Every medicine consists of the main and supporting ingredients. For a prescription to be effective, its dosage must be adjusted accordingly. So a prescription can cure many different patients. Each good doctor has his own approach.

Your Majesty, based on the Eunuch’s explanation, the young nobleman didn’t commit any wrong. Is it because Royal Physician wants no one else to cure the Princess that you find excuses to slander and obstruct others?

Your Majesty!

I’ve clearly heard the explanations. If the medicine passes the poison test, let the Princess have it. (Yes.)

The silver stick is still bright; the medicine is indeed harmless.

My daughter can take it then. Royal maids! (Yes.) Take the medicine in for the Princess.

Your Majesty! (Yes?) My medicine is only effective when combined with my treatment. I’d like to be in front of the curtain to personally administer the medicine.

Whatever your treatment is, you must let the Royal Physician check for poison.

Your Majesty, my treatment is just to talk with the Princess. After she takes the medicine, I’ll talk to her, and she’ll feel so ecstatic that she’ll laugh and speak.

Your remedy is unusual, indeed. Fine, you may stand before the curtain.

Your Highness, we’re separated only by the royal curtain. Please take the medicine, then hear this humble man utter gems and jewels. O Princess, you’re the star of all stars, the brightest moon of all moons, the loveliest flower of all flowers, the fairest of all fairies. You’re the daughter of Heaven, born into a dignified family on Earth. You feel no need to speak. You feel no need to speak. You just listen but don’t talk, making you all the more nobler. When you speak, the yellow orioles are shy of singing.

Very good! The son of the Minister of Trade is actually elegant and talented.

My Queen! I need our daughter to say that, not you!

Please let me speak my mind. Excellent! Continue your praise.

You care not to talk because the orioles still compete with each other to sing. One day when you speak, even orioles and swallows dare not chirp or sing. Your voice is more melodious than any singing, sweet as honey. Your words travel mountains and rivers, quenching all laments and resentment. From cities to remote villages, your voice brings happiness and contentment. O Princess, will you speak now? Is it true, your voice is so sacred and wonderful?

What beautiful praises! O Princess! Speak, my child. Alas, my daughter is still silent, as if she didn’t hear any praises.

My Queen!

Your Majesty!

Valet! (How is it?) Gone is my 300 liangs paid for the written praises that I learned by heart.

Don’t worry! Now you just talk spontaneously. If flattery doesn’t work, scolding will.

I remember now. Second method: if flattery doesn’t work, scolding will. Your Majesties the King and Queen and the mandarins, please give me more time. The Princess will now hear my next speech in the treatment.

All right!

You, dumb girl! Mute Princess! Are you so thick that you can’t appreciate beautiful thoughts and words? Don’t think your face is pretty like the moon! It looks worse than a pancake. Your mouth is as wide as the Milky Way, so you dare not smile or speak. Your hair is as dull and gray as smoke. Your eyes are muddy like a buffalo’s puddle. However luxurious your golden palace is, you only deserve to be called a stinky girl.

Be quiet! How dare you speak vulgar words to insult my daughter? O Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please have him whipped by the guards. Such an insolent must be punished regardless of whose son he is.

Eunuch! (Yes.) Can you still justify his actions?

Your Majesty, this is a mad man. If he isn’t disrespectful on purpose. then he’s a mental patient who hallucinates and acts uncontrollably. Please imprison him with the insane, or he’ll cause mishaps.