First lesson for children - simple philosophy about homeland

Do Trung Quan (born in 1955) is a multi-talented poet. He not only writes poetry but also writes for newspapers, essays, illustrations, MCs, and paints... In 1976, he joined the youth volunteer movement and began composing. The poem "First Lesson for Children" was set to music by musician Giap Van Thach into the very famous song "Homeland", winning the hearts of listeners and quickly becoming the most popular song for many consecutive years.

The poem was originally dedicated to Quynh Anh (the daughter of writer Nguyen Nhat Anh, then only 1 year old), first published in 1986 in Khan Quang Do newspaper. The poem has strongly impacted the homesickness of millions of Vietnamese people far from home because of its simple lyrics, familiar images, close as flesh and blood, like home (star fruit tree, bamboo bridge, kite)... forever in the heart.

Do Trung Quan wrote for children but also touched the hearts of adults because "First Lesson for Children" has a profound message. The beginning of the poem is a curious question about the miracle: "What is homeland, mother? / That the teacher taught us to love / What is homeland, mother? / Anyone who goes far away also misses it a lot". The refrain "What is homeland, mother?" resonates with the child's concern, both expressing the child's innocence and leading the reader to find the answer to the two sacred words "Homeland". The simple opening words express the teacher's gentle advice. Therefore, the following answers flow with overflowing emotions.

Although each person, each poet has a different way of defining homeland and country, we find it very interesting with the definition of homeland of poet Do Trung Quan. It turns out that homeland is not something great, abstract or distant, but homeland is the most familiar, most simple things, closely associated with each person's childhood: Homeland is a bunch of sweet star fruit... Homeland is the road to school... Homeland is a blue kite... Homeland is a small boat... Homeland is a small bamboo bridge... Is the scent of wild flowers, wild grass... Homeland is the yellow of pumpkin flowers/The purple of Malabar spinach fences/The red of hibiscus banks/The pure white color of lotus flowers...

The rhythm of the poem is as intense as a diary of beautiful, pure childhood memories. All have become the source of the soul, of personality, the source of love for the homeland and country. Reading it, many people seem to relive their childhood memories of their family and homeland. Perhaps that is why the poem has the power to spread widely, sublimating into a song in every heart.

The poem ends with a unique and touching comparison: Each person has only one homeland/Like only one mother/If anyone does not remember their homeland...

The poet wants to affirm that the homeland is unique, the homeland is like a gentle mother, just like the lyrics of the song "There is only one sun/And my mother is only one in the world". Mother - Homeland is the source of life, the source of joy, happiness, a solid spiritual support for each person's soul.

The last verse is a clever reminder for us to always remember our homeland because our homeland is like a mother, opening her warm arms to protect and welcome her children back. Our homeland is the image of a mother, always sacrificing, waiting and forgiving. With the repeated refrain built in the way of definition, the poet has brought readers to new and surprising concepts about our homeland.

The whole poem is a system of images of the magical, shimmering world of childhood. The poetic images are very familiar in the peaceful, poetic countryside. Therefore, the poem was easily set to music and became a famous song, deeply penetrating people's hearts. It seems that everyone can find a part of their beautiful childhood memories when listening to the lyrics of the poem - the melody of the song.

“First Lesson for Children” is a gift for children or a love song that Do Trung Quan wants to send to readers. Perhaps the poem speaks for the endless throbbing of people who have to temporarily leave their hometowns because of their livelihood. Behind the seemingly ordinary and simple words and the rustic and familiar images, there is a profound and noble meaning of life. The meaning of the poem is quite simple with familiar and strange philosophies, close and distant, existing side by side and blending together, creating a strange appeal for the poem.