KUNG-FU

It had been many year's since the death of his father, the young warrior was holding on to
every thought and memory of time spent as a young boy with his father, and the countless time they devoted too training in the many forms and techniques of kung- fu. His father had started to teach him since the day he could walk, from that day onwards, they would travel and practice together through out the land, sheltering in old temples so his son was able to be schooled from the monks and study the various classics, in order to sharpen and perfect the young lad's skill.

But the memories were vanishing, becoming more distant, revenge was starting to grip it's dark
claws into his being, fury was beginning to drown the voice of his fathers wisdom and invaluable guidance. He ponders is course with all diligence, to remain sober and vigilant over his heart,
so not to allow the revenge to consume him. All he could do now too temper the fire that was burning in the depth of his soul, was to walk the lonely path of kung-fu, and continue to cultivate his spirit and discipline his mind and body. With vigorous training and meditations day after day
he would do for perfecting his skill, and to purify his heart.

He could recall his father speaking to him about ones training, and that after many years of total
dedication and daily devotion of training and cultivating ones spirit, then you would finally arrive at the place of “mu-shin”.
Mu-shin is where the mind becomes empty and perfectly still, and the body and spirit unite as one, then one could read the mind of an enemy and foresee an attack and move to parry and counter by capturing and taking captive your opponents mind, thus he losses the will to fight.

But the young warrior was yet to attain that level, first he would have to face and conquer the
enemy that lies and rages from within.

His father was killed by a poisonous substance , no doubt at the hands of Han, his fathers one time brother, whose thirst for power was only matched by his greed and lust for the “secret scroll”. The scroll contains the most potent and deadly of all the kung-fu techniques, and was always the cause of much violence and bloodshed by cowardly men who would stop at nothing or any length to murder and steal for that which is not there's, Men who have no honor.

This scroll has been passed down for thousands of years from every grand master to only one student, a student who was the most trusted and loyal of all students, and possessed such qualities worthy of this honor. This honor was bestowed upon his father from the legendary Grand master of all kung-fu, Master O-yama, his fathers teacher.

Now the young master was in search of this very old master, who was said to have gone to the top of the sacred mountain beyond the clouds where the great "temple of Heaven" lays, to seek the masters guidance and wisdom, and to receive instruction and training for the fight that lay ahead.......... Han.

Was his spirit ready! did he have what it takes, would he be accepted as a disciple, was the master even alive?, and if so, would he detect the motives in his heart and see that revenge had tainted his soul,all these things weighed heavily upon his mind as he made his way up the sacred mountain.
After the many days of climbing the long and winding path up the sacred mountain, he began to hunger and feel weary, he noticed wild pigs running around looking for food. It was many days since the last time he ate and he knew that food would be scarce, so he rested on the side of the path and waited in a meditating position. When a big sized pig came within distance he swiftly struck the neck of the beast with one blow killing it, he flung the dead carcass over his shoulder and carried on. As he kept moving he became aware that he was not alone, he was being watched and followed by a bunch of bandits. He pulled is straw hat down over his eyes so not to give anything away, when they made there move he would be ready.

“Fools", he thought to himself.

As he came around a bend in the path the bandits sprung there ambush, but they were easily repelled by the young warrior, is kung-fu was swift and precise, he sliced through them within seconds, leaving them to fall by his side. As he stood over them they begged for mercy, they cried "we only wanted the meat so our children would not die", He looked up and saw little faces staring at him, there eyes were full of fear and he could see the hunger on there face, the young warrior felt there pain, he picked the men up and offered the meat to them and apologized
for his behavior, they were very grateful and offered him shelter for the night.

As he carried on the next day he came to a river, he heard a women screaming with desperation as she tried to cross the river with a young child, he could see the dangerous river was flowing fast and would sweep them away, he risked his life and brought them to safety on the other side.
When he was nearly at the top of the mountain, he found an old women burdened by the heat of the sun that had fallen to the ground, he placed his hat to provide shade and took what water he had left and nursed her back to strength.

finally, after many days he reaches the top.

As he approached the large doors of the outer gate, he stood in awe of the magnificent splendor of this temple, he had never seen anything like this before, it was as if the eternal God himself had built this grandeur temple. he noticed the huge golden gong to the side of the road he picked up the golden hammer of unusual weight, and struck the gong three times to pronounce is presence, (as was custom).
He keeled there for three days and nights before the doors were opened, the old master walks out, looks straight in his eyes, and into his heart.

After a long silence the master spoke,

"because you gave food for the hungry, water to the thirsty, protection to the needy, for this you may enter".

“But if its revenge you seek”

there is nothing for you here.

With this the master turned around and left.