The Lone Ranger
07-11-2006, 02:43 PM
I read this story about a year ago and liked it. So, I thought I’d share. The story, so far as I know, does not refer to any actual persons, but I like its message.
Some years ago in Japan, a particularly gifted young swordsman, Ichiro, was nearing completion of his training at a school of swordsmanship. The Master of the school took Ichiro aside and told him, “There is nothing further I can teach you, but I am recommending you to train with Master Imai.” Ichiro was greatly pleased at this, for Master Imai was widely regarded as the finest instructor of swordsmanship in all of Japan. Few students managed to complete his training, but those who did were universally regarded as the finest swordsmen in Japan.
On the appointed day, Ichiro arrived at the home of Master Imai and presented his letter of recommendation. Master Imai read the letter carefully and without comment, then invited Ichiro to the dojo that they might spar. They sparred for a time, but Master Imai made no comments on Ichiro’s technique, nor did he offer any suggestions as to how he might improve it. When Ichiro grew impatient and asked Master Imai what he thought, Imai Sensei only replied, “You have much to learn.” He would say no more.
At the end of his first day with Imai Sensei, Ichiro was horrified to discover that his assigned sleeping area was with the servants.
To Ichiro’s surprise, he was awakened early the next morning by Imai Sensei. Instead of taking him to the dojo, Imai Sensei took Ichiro to the kitchen. He told Ichiro that he must scrub the floor, then cook breakfast, and then wash the dishes. Ichiro was aghast, for this was the work of peasants, not samurai, but he obeyed.
After Ichiro finished scrubbing the floor, Imai Sensei told him that he had done a very poor job, and insisted that he do the task all over again.
For months this went on. Each day, instead of teaching Ichiro anything about swordplay, Imai Sensei would insist that he scrub the floors, cook the meals, and clean the dishes. At first, Imai Sensei would criticize his work harshly and insist that he re-do almost every task until it was perfect. Over time, despite his resentment at being forced to do “peasant work,” Ichiro realized it was easier to the job carefully and correctly, so that he wouldn’t have to repeat it. The first time Imai Sensei complemented him on a job well done, Ichiro felt immensely pleased. In time, Ichiro learned to perform his assigned tasks efficiently and without complaint, and to take pleasure in having done his tasks well.
Ichiro also eventually came to realize that the servants, though mere peasants, were intelligent and thoughtful people, just as was he, and that they had hopes and dreams, just as did he. He observed that they took as much pleasure in doing their assigned tasks well as did he, and that when they were not working, they enjoyed walking in the woods, reading, playing music, visiting with friends and family, and other such “ennobling” activities. The peasants taught him to perform his custodial duties efficiently and well, and soon Imai Sensei was complimenting him on how well he performed the tasks.
One day, as Ichiro was scrubbing the floor, Imai Sensei pulled out his bokken (a wooden sword used for sparring) and struck Ichiro with it repeatedly, giving Ichiro many painful bruises. Imai Sensei then walked away as if nothing had happened.
Ichiro was furious at having been attacked without warning or provocation, and he was also humiliated at having been caught off-guard so easily. He vowed to be more alert, so as not to be caught off-guard again.
Over the next several weeks, this pattern repeated itself. When he least expected it, Imai Sensei would appear as if from nowhere, attack Ichiro, and then walk away as if nothing had happened. He would even burst into Ichiro’s bedchamber at night when Ichiro was trying to sleep and attack him mercilessly.
Ichiro grew so afraid of being attacked that he jumped at every sound. He could not sleep at night, expecting an attack to come at any time. His work, which had been performed perfectly, became sloppy because he was unable to concentrate. On many occasions, Imai Sensei would express his dissatisfaction at Ichiro’s work and force him to re-wash the floor or re-wash the dishes.
Eventually, Ichiro decided that he was doing far more harm to himself through his constant fear of attack than Imai Sensei could possibly do to him. He began to relax. He remained vigilant against attack, but he no longer felt fear or anxiety. He found that when his fear and anxiety were conquered, he could perform his assigned tasks to perfection, while still remaining vigilant against attack.
One day, Ichiro was washing the dishes when Imai Sensei appeared as if from nowhere and attacked him. Ichiro calmly drew his bokken, parried the attack, and then went back to washing the dishes as if nothing had happened.
Imai Sensei smiled.
“What have you learned in your time with me?” Imai Sensei asked.
Ichiro thought for a moment, then replied. “I have learned that there is no dishonor or indignity in manual labor, and that there is pleasure to be derived from doing your work well, even if the work is not glamorous. I have learned that just because a person was born ‘lower’ than I, this does not mean that he is less intelligent or capable. I have also learned that while it is important to always be aware of my surroundings, if I let fear and anxiety control me, I will be unable to deal with everyday tasks, much less unexpected crises.”
Imai Sensei handed him a certificate of graduation.
Any stories you’d like to share?
Cheers,
Michael
Some years ago in Japan, a particularly gifted young swordsman, Ichiro, was nearing completion of his training at a school of swordsmanship. The Master of the school took Ichiro aside and told him, “There is nothing further I can teach you, but I am recommending you to train with Master Imai.” Ichiro was greatly pleased at this, for Master Imai was widely regarded as the finest instructor of swordsmanship in all of Japan. Few students managed to complete his training, but those who did were universally regarded as the finest swordsmen in Japan.
On the appointed day, Ichiro arrived at the home of Master Imai and presented his letter of recommendation. Master Imai read the letter carefully and without comment, then invited Ichiro to the dojo that they might spar. They sparred for a time, but Master Imai made no comments on Ichiro’s technique, nor did he offer any suggestions as to how he might improve it. When Ichiro grew impatient and asked Master Imai what he thought, Imai Sensei only replied, “You have much to learn.” He would say no more.
At the end of his first day with Imai Sensei, Ichiro was horrified to discover that his assigned sleeping area was with the servants.
To Ichiro’s surprise, he was awakened early the next morning by Imai Sensei. Instead of taking him to the dojo, Imai Sensei took Ichiro to the kitchen. He told Ichiro that he must scrub the floor, then cook breakfast, and then wash the dishes. Ichiro was aghast, for this was the work of peasants, not samurai, but he obeyed.
After Ichiro finished scrubbing the floor, Imai Sensei told him that he had done a very poor job, and insisted that he do the task all over again.
For months this went on. Each day, instead of teaching Ichiro anything about swordplay, Imai Sensei would insist that he scrub the floors, cook the meals, and clean the dishes. At first, Imai Sensei would criticize his work harshly and insist that he re-do almost every task until it was perfect. Over time, despite his resentment at being forced to do “peasant work,” Ichiro realized it was easier to the job carefully and correctly, so that he wouldn’t have to repeat it. The first time Imai Sensei complemented him on a job well done, Ichiro felt immensely pleased. In time, Ichiro learned to perform his assigned tasks efficiently and without complaint, and to take pleasure in having done his tasks well.
Ichiro also eventually came to realize that the servants, though mere peasants, were intelligent and thoughtful people, just as was he, and that they had hopes and dreams, just as did he. He observed that they took as much pleasure in doing their assigned tasks well as did he, and that when they were not working, they enjoyed walking in the woods, reading, playing music, visiting with friends and family, and other such “ennobling” activities. The peasants taught him to perform his custodial duties efficiently and well, and soon Imai Sensei was complimenting him on how well he performed the tasks.
One day, as Ichiro was scrubbing the floor, Imai Sensei pulled out his bokken (a wooden sword used for sparring) and struck Ichiro with it repeatedly, giving Ichiro many painful bruises. Imai Sensei then walked away as if nothing had happened.
Ichiro was furious at having been attacked without warning or provocation, and he was also humiliated at having been caught off-guard so easily. He vowed to be more alert, so as not to be caught off-guard again.
Over the next several weeks, this pattern repeated itself. When he least expected it, Imai Sensei would appear as if from nowhere, attack Ichiro, and then walk away as if nothing had happened. He would even burst into Ichiro’s bedchamber at night when Ichiro was trying to sleep and attack him mercilessly.
Ichiro grew so afraid of being attacked that he jumped at every sound. He could not sleep at night, expecting an attack to come at any time. His work, which had been performed perfectly, became sloppy because he was unable to concentrate. On many occasions, Imai Sensei would express his dissatisfaction at Ichiro’s work and force him to re-wash the floor or re-wash the dishes.
Eventually, Ichiro decided that he was doing far more harm to himself through his constant fear of attack than Imai Sensei could possibly do to him. He began to relax. He remained vigilant against attack, but he no longer felt fear or anxiety. He found that when his fear and anxiety were conquered, he could perform his assigned tasks to perfection, while still remaining vigilant against attack.
One day, Ichiro was washing the dishes when Imai Sensei appeared as if from nowhere and attacked him. Ichiro calmly drew his bokken, parried the attack, and then went back to washing the dishes as if nothing had happened.
Imai Sensei smiled.
“What have you learned in your time with me?” Imai Sensei asked.
Ichiro thought for a moment, then replied. “I have learned that there is no dishonor or indignity in manual labor, and that there is pleasure to be derived from doing your work well, even if the work is not glamorous. I have learned that just because a person was born ‘lower’ than I, this does not mean that he is less intelligent or capable. I have also learned that while it is important to always be aware of my surroundings, if I let fear and anxiety control me, I will be unable to deal with everyday tasks, much less unexpected crises.”
Imai Sensei handed him a certificate of graduation.
Any stories you’d like to share?
Cheers,
Michael