Kung Fu Parables

The Tale of the Tortoise and Kung Fu

by Master Zhou

One day in the month of the Fox, the young novice approached the old kung fu master.

"Master," he cried, "Why do you suffer those touched by the Tortoise to be your students? They are not fast like the Crane, or strong like the Bear, or fierce like the Tiger. They are slow, and seem to care little for fighting. They spend all their days in study, or repeating basic kata. What is their use?"

The master called over one of the novices that was touched by the Tortoise, and he gave instructions to both:

"On the day of the next new moon, you," he said, pointing to the Tortoise, "go to the top of the northern mountain that overlooks our dojo, and you," pointing at the young novice, "go to the top of the southern mountain. Spend the night there, contemplate your path, and return to me and tell me what you have learned."

The two novices bowed to their Master, and did as they were told.

When the young novice returned, the next day, he was battered and bloody, and looked exhausted from his ordeal. He met the master in the dojo, where the Tortoise student already awaited, looking calm and composed.

"Now," the old master said, "spar, and tell me what you learned."

The young novice groaned but did as the master said. Weary as he was, his strikes were sloppy, even wild.

"Master," he panted, "I tried to do what you ask. It took hours, but I found my way to the top of the mountain, although I was hit by falling rocks several times. The night was so cold, though, I had to build a fire, and the prickly thorns of the shrubs bit into my arms as I gathered them. And once the fire was lit, I was beset by wolves! I barely fended them off until dawn, when they left, and then I scrambled my way back down here."

The Tortoise continued his well-executed set of parries and blocks, and, after a nod from the master, began:

"From the task you set for us, I surmised that perhaps you wanted us to understand the benefit of preparation. Knowing that the mountaintop could be a perilous environment, I spoke to the local woodsmen about the dangers there. They advised me that wolves were frequent at this time of year, and that they would be drawn to fire, especially in the cold."

The Tortoise-touched student blocked another wild swing from the young novice.

"I recalled reading in the monastery's library of a pool a few hours to the east that had stones which glowed with a light like moonshine. I journeyed there on our rest day, and gathered some of these stones.

"When I journeyed to the mountaintop, I made sure to have warm clothes and find a spot of relative shelter, and set up a few of the glowing stones at the perimeter of my camp, so that I could see anything that approached. Although I heard wolves howling, they were not drawn to my camp. I stayed guard through the night, and then returned here."

The old master nodded, and watched the novices spar more.

"Sloppy!" he cried at the young novice's blows. "Why can you not strike with more accuracy?"

"I am sorry, Master," the young one replied. "I am weary from my ordeal, and my limbs will not move as I wish them to."

"And you?" the master asked the Tortoise. "Why do your strikes seem to be accurate? Did you sleep before coming here?"

"No, Master. I admit I am also tired. But I have drilled the moves so frequently that my muscles know the arc even though I am weary."

"Very well, then. Show the novice what else you have learned."

"His attacks favor the right, but he does not guard his left side," replied the Tortoise student, as he struck a final solid blow, knocking the young novice down.

As the kung fu master leaned over the young novice, he asked "Now do you see the benefit of the Tortoise as a practitioner of kung fu?"

"Yes, Master," the young novice groaned, as he slid into unconsciousness.

And thus was the young novice englightened.