The next morning, the King asked about what Mai An Tiem said at the banquet. Mai An Tiem said, “Your Majesty, the only things that really matter are those we can do on our own”. King Hung was very angry. Although he loved his son, he decided to send Mai An Tiem to a deserted island.

When they reached the island, Mai An Tiem turned a cave into their house. He felt sorry for his wife, but he believed that they could find a way to live happily there.

The next day, while Mai An Tiem and his wife were fishing along the shore, they saw a flock of birds eating a strange fruit. Mai An Tiem walked closer. He saw the birds had left behind black seeds and took them home to plant.

The couple happily watched the seeds sprout. They took care of the plants every day. Their garden gave them hope for the future.

One day, they saw a flock of birds come and eat the green unripe fruit from their garden. They did not chase them away. After the birds flew away, the couple picked up all the seeds that were left. Mai An Tiem believed the birds had eaten the best fruit.

A few months later, the fruit was ripe. Mai An Tiem cut some fruit and found it very juicy and sweet. He decided to name it “watermelon” or “dua hau” in Vietnamese. One day, he decided to carve his name into a fruit rind and throw it into the sea. He hoped someone would find the fruit.

Year after year, Mai An Tiem carved his name on the fruit rind and threw it into the sea. His wife told him to stop, but he kept doing it. He didn’t want to live on the island forever.