The Sacrifice

    By Trường

    The Sacrifice cover image

    19 Feb, 2024

    a man and his dog sitting in the dirt outside of a building with mountains in the background in the distance, naive art, a character portrait, Elke Vogelsang, award - winning photography

    In a small, humble village lived an old farmer named Hạc. He was a man of few words, living a life of solitude with only his yellow dog for companionship. His only son had left their home long ago, seeking a better life away from the poverty that plagued them. Despite the loneliness, Hạc always held onto hope, believing in his son's return.

    a man standing in front of a field of flowers with a yellow flower in the foreground and a green field in the background, precisionism, a character portrait, Cao Zhibai, phuoc quan

    Hạc spent his days laboring in the fields and caring for his small garden. He never touched the earnings from the garden's harvest, saving every penny for his son's future. His life was hard, but his heart remained filled with love and hope for his son.

    an old man sitting in a field of plants with a house in the background and a few people in the distance, sumatraism, a character portrait, Cui Bai, phuoc quan

    As time passed, Hạc's health began to decline. He could no longer work in the fields, and his once vibrant garden started to wither. The money he had saved was slowly dwindling away, yet he refused to sell his garden or use the saved money.

    a man sitting next to a dog on a dirt ground next to a building with a bunch of dogs, naive art, a character portrait, Byeon Sang-byeok, award-winning photograph

    One day, in his frail state, Hạc realized that he was left with no other choice. With a heavy heart, he made the decision to sell his beloved yellow dog. The dog, always loyal, seemed to understand and nuzzled against Hạc one last time.

    two men sitting on a wooden crate with money in their hands and one of them is handing another man a stack of money, les automatistes, a stock photo, Byeon Sang-byeok, phuoc quan

    After selling his faithful companion, Hạc took the money and his savings and handed them to the village teacher. He asked the teacher to safeguard it for his son. His chest felt heavy, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

    a man holding a plate of potatoes in his hands in a room with windows and a bench in the background, precisionism, a still life, Arie Smit, award - winning photography

    With his dog gone and his savings entrusted to the teacher, Hạc was truly alone. He survived on meager meals, often just a boiled potato or some rice. His body grew weaker, but his spirit remained unbroken, his hope for his son undiminished.

    a man sitting at a table with a plate of food in front of him and a teapot on the table, art photography, a photorealistic painting, Byeon Sang-byeok, award - winning photography

    One night, in his humble home, Hạc prepared his last meal. He ate quietly, savoring each bite, his heart filled with a strange mix of sadness and satisfaction. He had given everything for his son, his love unwavering.

    a man sitting in front of a fire pit with other men around him in the background, in a village, art & language, a character portrait, Byeon Sang-byeok, cinematic photography

    As the dawn broke, Hạc was found peacefully resting, having left this world behind. His sacrifice was a testament to his unconditional love for his son. The villagers mourned the loss of the humble man who had taught them the true meaning of sacrifice.

    two older men are embracing each other in a room with windows and shutters on the walls and a window behind them, art & language, a stock photo, Byeon Sang-byeok, portrait photography

    When his son finally returned, he was greeted with the news of his father's sacrifice. Overwhelmed, he vowed to honor his father's memory by living a life of kindness and humility. Hạc's sacrifice had not been in vain. His son was home.

    a man holding a bunch of flowers in front of a building with a lot of people around it and a tree with yellow and red flowers, art & language, a character portrait, Fang Congyi, phuoc quan

    Through Hạc's story, the village learned a profound lesson about love and sacrifice. Hạc's legacy lived on in the heart of his son and the memories of the villagers. His sacrifice was a beacon of love, illuminating the path for future generations.