Conviction
The student couldn’t sleep after reading about the penetrating fist. He was energized and felt like he could practice for hours. He decided to head to the school. The master gave him a key years ago so he could train whenever he wanted and teach classes when the master was unavailable.
He looked out the window, and it was raining. He thought, at least it wouldn’t be as hot as yesterday. There were no parking spots close to the school, even though it was early in the morning. People who worked early or maybe the night shift. After parking blocks away, he ran to the school. He forgot his umbrella and was soaked by the time he got to the door.
Dripping wet, he got his key to open the door and discovered it was already open. He thought, ” Is the master here already?” He walked down the steps and saw that the sleeping room was locked, so the master wasn’t here. As he turned the corner to the training floor, he spotted a petite oriental girl working out. The student was shocked when he saw her perform flying hurricane kicks, 360-degree sweeps, and no-hand ariels. He never saw anyone at the school perform these techniques. He knew them but was awful at doing them.
She stopped and stared at him as he quietly walked to the changing rooms. He changed and walked out to the training floor. He started with a series of easy stretching routines. His enthusiasm waned as he watched the girl out of the corner of his eye. At one point, she did a jumping tornado kick, grabbed her kicking foot, and held it aloft. She was doing a standing split.
He was still doing some warmups when she walked over and asked him to spar. He was surprised. He didn’t like to spar with girls because he was afraid of hurting them. He graciously shook her off, but she insisted.
He decided to go slow and not use too much power. A little sparring match would warm him up before he got into some serious training. He bowed and placed his hands in the 5-star guard. She nodded and assumed the long-winged eagle guard. Now he was confused.
He moved in tentatively with a combination of techniques called the “Tiger Charges its Prey.” She easily evaded and struck him in the back of the neck with an eagle wing.
He moved out of critical distance to reset himself. He decided to go all out. She obviously could handle his attacks. She moved forward with the “Walking Over the Wings of the Eagle.”
He tried to evade but was swept off his feet. She stood over him like an eagle ready to pounce. He heard a laugh. He looked over and saw the Master standing there. The Master said, “Don’t try to fight my granddaughter. May Jou. She’s been training since she was 3.
The Master continued, “The reason she beat you is because of your mind, not your skill. Your mind can’t see beyond what’s in front of you. The mind has to be like that of the moon.”
The student was embarrassed, bowed, changed, and went home.