Story of Vietnam
Story of Vietnam
The Circle and the Square
One day, an aging king told his sons of a plan by which he would
select the next ruler. With the New Year approaching, families
would soon prepare offerings in honor of respected ancestors. So he
announced, Whoever prepares the best food will become the new
king.
The youngest son was discouraged. He lacked the strength of one
brother who hunts in the high mountains and the wealth of another
who journeys to a distant sea. However, a god appeared one night in
his dream. The lives of your ancestors are as great as the heavens
and earth, it said. Make two rice cakes, one round to represent the
heavens, the other square to represent the earth.
As dawn broke, he molded two large rice cakes into distinctive
shapes. Meanwhile, his brothers brought in delicacies prepared from
rare forest game or exotic fish. After the king feasted upon the
delicious dishes, he turned to the simple rice cakes. The other
princes laughed as they noticed their youngest brothers
offering.
How can simple rice be the best food, asked the father.
Rich and poor, alike, can enjoy rice, answered the son. He
continued, The round cake, representing the heavens, and the square
cake, representing the earth, remind us that our ancestors are as
important as the heavens and the earth.
Hearing this, the king tasted the rice cakes with both mind and
tongue. He immediately proclaimed the youngest son as the new king,
one that would rule with wisdom and kindness.
