The Magic Paintbrush

Part 1 

The Magic Paintbrush [cây cọ vẽ] Li was a poor boy who lived in a small village in China. He loved to draw [vẽ] more than anything in the world. Every day, he used sticks [que] to draw pictures in the dirt [đất]. His drawings were beautiful, but they always disappeared [biến mất] when it rained.

One night, Li had a dream [giấc mơ]. An old man with a long white beard [râu] visited him in his dream.

"Li," the old man said in a kind voice, "You have a good heart and a special talent [tài năng]. Here is a magic paintbrush. But, you must only paint for those who really need help."

When Li woke up the next morning, he found a beautiful new paintbrush next to his bed. Li couldn't wait [nôn nóng] to try it.

First, Li painted a bowl [bát] of steaming [bốc hơi] rice for his hungry neighbor [hàng xóm], Mrs. Chen. Amazingly, the bowl became real [thật]! It smelled delicious. Mrs. Chen was very happy and thanked Li.

Next, he painted a well [giếng] for the village, which had no clean water. Suddenly, a real well appeared with fresh [tươi], cool [mát] water. The villagers cheered and danced around the well, filling [đổ đầy] their buckets [xô].

News of Li's magic paintbrush spread [lan truyền] quickly across the country. People came from very far to see the boy who could make his paintings come to life. Soon, the greedy [tham lam] Emperor [Hoàng đế] heard about it.

"Bring me that boy and his paintbrush!" the Emperor shouted to his men. He was excited, thinking about all the gold [vàng] he could create.

The Emperor's soldiers [binh lính] left for Li's village.

Part 2

The next day, soldiers [binh lính] came to Li's village. "Come with us," they ordered [ra lệnh]. "The Emperor wants to see you."

Li was scared, but he had no choice [lựa chọn]. At the palace, the Emperor sat on his golden throne [ngai vàng], smiling wickedly [độc ác].

"Paint me a mountain [núi] of gold!" he ordered.

Li remembered the old man's words from his dream. Li knew the Emperor didn't need help. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty [Bệ hạ]. I cannot do that," Li said bravely [can đảm].

The Emperor's face turned red with anger. "Paint it now, or I'll throw you in the darkest prison [nhà tù]!"

Li had an idea. He started to paint an ocean between himself and the Emperor.

"What are you doing, you stupid [ngu ngốc] boy?" the Emperor yelled [quát].

Real water poured in [đổ vào] from the painting, filling the room. The Emperor stood up [đứng lên] on his throne, "Help! I cannot swim!"

The water rose [dâng lên] higher and higher.

Li quickly painted a small boat [thuyền] for himself and escaped [trốn thoát]. The Emperor and his men were washed away [bị cuốn trôi] by the water.

Li returned to his village. From that day on, he only used his magic paintbrush to help people in need [khó khăn]. He painted houses for the homeless [vô gia cư], food for the hungry, and warm clothes for children in winter.

Everyone in Li's village lived happily, sharing [chia sẻ] what they had. Li never saw the Emperor again, but he always remembered the lesson: the greatest magic comes from helping others, not from greed.