Translated by THUY DUONG Within one hundred years of human existence, Talent and fortune seem always in discordance. Meanwhile, great changes overturn everything, How bitter to see life full of suffering! It is clear that no one can expect Anything in life to be perfect. But Heaven! Heaven so high in the blue sky! Isn't it an eternal law you tend to apply, As envying tho rosy-cheeked ones their sweet beauty, Not leaving them a single time to be lucky? Once I open a nice book in the candlelight, A beautiful love story displaying in my sight. It was a peaceful year under the Ming dynasty, There lived an old scholar named Vương with his family. Belonging to the middle class, he found a good niche. The youngest child, Vương Quan, was the only male progeny. To perpetuate the literary line of the family. First came too graceful young girls as elder children, Thúy Kiều, the eldest, and her young sister Thúy Vân, With their high personality and their pure minds, Each one her own manner, both perfectly refined. Vân looked sedate with her distinguished grace, Her large eyebrows and her sweet smile so nicely, Pearls resounded in her smooth hair in undulation. Snow would yield up to the freshness of her complexion. Kiều looked keener in her charm and undoubtedly She surpassed her sister both in talent and beauty; With her eyes so bright as Autumn water shimmering, And her eyes so bright as Autumn water shimmering, Nice flowers would envy her charming lips' freshness, Willow leaves'd get angry with her eyebrows' greenness. Her single glace might even shake the Royal Castle Her single smile could even make the Nation tremble In beauty, she would not boubt have no equal, In talent, if there could be, just one in all.