Watermelon is the annual trailing plant producing a large fruit with a hard rind that may have red, yellow or white pulp. Some varieties are cultivated uniquely for their seeds. The watermelon originated in Africa and is widely found in tropical countries. In southern Vietnam, it ripens around Tết. On the south-central coast, one variety of watermelon is used in traditional medicine to reduce fever. Common sayings: Xanh vỏ đỏ lòng (green skin, but red pulp): a hypocrite. Legend of watermelon (Sự tích dưa hấu): because of his outright speaking, An Tiêm, an adopted son of one of the Hùng Kings, was exiled with his wife and children to a deserted island. They lived there in difficult conditions. One day, wild birds dropped black seeds from the sky. An Tiêm planted them, and watermelon plants grew. Later, fishing boats came to barter rice and other products for the fruit. The lives of An Tiêm and his family improved; when the news reached the King, he took pity on the exiles and brought them back to court.
