After receiving their military equipment, the unit commander instructed the new soldiers on how to arrange their personal belongings according to regulations. Everyone was busy with their clutter, except Thang, who sat in a corner, pencil in hand, diligently drawing in his personal notebook.
While inspecting the unit, Lieutenant Nam, a political officer, discovered Thang's unusual actions. He stopped and curiously looked at Thang's "work". On the white paper, the image of a soldier with a dignified yet friendly appearance appeared vividly. Although it was just a simple pencil stroke, everyone recognized that it was the image of Lieutenant Nam, even with... a charming mole on his face.
Illustration: QUANG CUONG |
Lieutenant Nam burst out laughing: "Comrade Thang! Why don't you arrange internal affairs and go draw?". Thang was startled, quickly closed the notebook and put it behind his back, his face red: "Reporting to the chief... I... I'll go to work right away". "Who are you drawing, comrade?". Lieutenant Nam said as he took back the notebook and looked more closely, then burst out laughing. "The drawing is soulful! Where did you learn to draw, comrade?".
Thang timidly confessed that he was an art student who had just put down his pen to join the army. Lieutenant Nam listened, his eyes slightly pensive.
From that day on, Thang "com" suddenly became the "celebrity" of the platoon. When he had free time, he would take out his notebook and pen to draw. Sometimes it was a humorous caricature of Private Binh falling asleep during self-study class. Another was an image of Sergeant Hung instructing soldiers in command exercises, looking serious and attentive. Although the drawings were just simple sketches, they captured the demeanor and personality of each person, making everyone in the unit love them.
Lieutenant Nam often noticed that Thang had a subtle and humorous perspective on military life. And so, the idea of "refreshing" the unit space with murals began to arise. He believed that the unit with murals would have a new look, bringing positive energy to officers and soldiers.
With the approval of his superior, Lieutenant Nam assigned Thang the task of painting a large mural in the unit's training ground, with the theme "Comradely Love". Thang enthusiastically accepted the task. The whole squad gathered to help Thang. Some people prepared paint and brushes; some volunteered to stand as models...
On the day of completion, Lieutenant Nam and all the officers and soldiers gathered to "approve" the work. The painting was truly impressive. Against the blue sky, the solid soldiers, with steady hands, were overcoming difficulties together... All exuded a resilient and strong look. Lieutenant Nam nodded with satisfaction: "Very good! This painting clearly shows the comradeship and team spirit". Thang, with a slightly timid face, scratched his head: "Yes, thank you, sir". But then, Private Binh, who had been attentively looking at the painting with a thoughtful expression, suddenly exclaimed: "Reporting, sir! I see something... a bit strange". Pointing to a corner of the painting, where there was an image of a soldier sitting and resting under a tree, next to a small package. Binh wondered: "Why does this soldier have such a big package of sticky rice?".
Surprised, everyone was silent for a few seconds, then burst out laughing. Thang's face turned red, and he shyly explained:
- Report to the chief and comrades. That sticky rice package... that sticky rice package is a notebook.
- Oh my gosh, I thought it was sticky rice with gac fruit! Because it has... the same red color as the sticky rice my mom cooks!
Laughter resounded loudly again. The mural "Comradeship" became a highlight on the training ground, the pride of the new generation of soldiers. From then on, Thang "com" was affectionately called "the soldier's painter" by the whole unit, and was assigned the additional task of decorating on holidays and conferences, drawing weekly fun corners on the bulletin board, bringing refreshing laughter and fresh colors to military life.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/goi-xoi-gac-cua-hoa-si-thang-a423612.html
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