different is that: the events in Jin Yun Qiao are analytical, while [the events] in Tale of Kiều are organic [...] Through comparisons, we can see that Nguyễn Du preserved the order of events from the original story. However he cut the entirety of chapter 5 and 6, and instead scatter them between previous chapters. It's worth noting that Nguyễn Du told chapter 20, which is about the reunion with Kim Trọng, in 526 sentences, equal to 1/6 of the work." However Nguyễn Hữu Sơn noted that what Đào and Phạm believed to be "redundant" in Jin Yun Qiao is actually its strong point, as prose requires different storytelling technique from rhymed poetry. He also believes that the Tale of Kiều is more emotional than the original. Text comparisons The original text was written in Vietnamese using the vernacular chữ Nôm script. Below are the first six lines of the prologue written in modern Vietnamese alphabet and several translations into English. Original text The first six lines of the prologue. English translations From Lê Xuân Thuy's Kim Vân Kiều: Within the span of hundred years of human existence, what a bitter struggle is waged between genius and destiny! How many harrowing events have occurred while mulberries cover the conquered sea! Rich in beauty, unlucky in life! Strange indeed, but little wonder, since casting hatred upon rosy cheeks is a habit of the Blue Sky. Blank verse translation by Huỳnh Sanh Thông (1983): A hundred years—in this life span on earth, talent and destiny are apt to feud. You must go through a play of ebb and flow and watch such things as make you sick at heart. Is it so strange that losses balance gains? Blue Heaven's wont to strike a rose from spite. English translation by Michael Counsell (1994): What tragedies take place within each circling space of years! 'Rich in good looks' appears to mean poor luck and tears of woe; which may sound strange, I know, but is not really so, I swear, since Heaven everywhere seems jealous of the fair of face. English translation by Vladislav Zhukov (2004): Were full five-score the years allotted to born man, How oft his qualities might yield within that span to fate forlorn! In time the mulberry reclaims the sunk sea-bourn, And what the gliding eye may first find fair weighs mournful on the heart. Uncanny? Nay—lack ever proved glut's