The Legend of Cuội on the Moon is a famous fairy tale that is all too familiar to Vietnamese children. The image of Cuội sitting under the banyan tree has become a familiar symbol in folklore, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The story not only brings deep lessons about compassion and prudence, but also evokes the rich imagination of many generations of children.
A Brief Summary of the Cuội on the Moon Legend
The Cuội on the Moon legend originates from a folk tale. Cuội is a poor young man who accidentally discovers a magical herb with the power to “bring the dead back to life.” It is also through this herb that Cuội marries a beautiful wife, yet because he had once suffered a head injury, Cuội’s wife is prone to forgetfulness. One day, Cuội’s wife forgets his instructions and urinates on the herb, causing the plant to grow taller and taller. Cuội clings to the plant and soars up to the Moon, unable to return.
From then on, Cuội stayed on the Moon with his magical tree. Whenever the moon is full, people still see the silhouette of Cuội sitting under the banyan tree, looking down at the world. The ancients say that each year, the banyan tree on the Moon sheds only one leaf. Whoever is lucky enough to pick that leaf can bring a dead person back to life. Children, whenever they see a full moon, sing: “The pearl-white moonlight, there is a precious herb, there is old Cuội, embracing a dream…”
If you want to read more in detail, you can refer to: The Mid-Autumn Festival Legend for Kids through a Mother's Tale
Meaning/Significance of the Cuội on the Moon Legend
In ancient times, when science had not yet developed, people relied on imagination to explain natural phenomena that could not yet be understood. Many fairy tales arose from this need, such as “Sơn Tinh, Thủy Tinh” to explain floods and weather changes, or “Con Rồng Cháu Tiên” about the origins of the Vietnamese people. The Cuội on the Moon story is also a prime example, helping to explain the phenomenon that when we look at the Moon, we see craters arranged like a person sitting under a banyan tree, especially clear on full-moon nights, and particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Moreover, the Cuội on the Moon legend also reflects humanity's dream of immortality. The detail that after revival it cannot be as perfect as before, as hinted by the image of a forgetful wife, also reminds us that everything in life has limits. If people try to go against the laws of nature, the price can be very high, such as Cuội being pulled up to the Moon. It is this limitation that makes life precious and worth cherishing. Therefore, the story's message is to live a life full of meaning and remember that what is lost is hard to regain; these are valuable lessons that parents should teach their children.
Whenever the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, under the bright moonlight, children eagerly gather together, look up at the sky and imagine Cuội and the magical banyan tree. The Legend of Cuội on the Moon makes the Mid-Autumn Night even more sacred and magical. The story of Cuội is a symbol of ancient imagination, told to this day, bringing connection to countless generations.
