Strength or weakness

[Guest guest]

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength.

Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who

decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a

devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy

was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training

the master had taught him only one move.

" Sensei, " the boy finally said, " Shouldn't I be learning more moves? " " This is

the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know, " the

sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept

training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.Surprising

himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be

more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged;

the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success,

the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while,

the boy appeared to be over matched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the

referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei

intervened.

" No, " the sensei insisted, " Let him continue. "

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped

his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the

match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each

and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what

was really on his mind. " Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one

move? "

" You won for two reasons, " the sensei answered. " First, you've almost mastered

one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known

defense for that move is for your opponent to grip your left arm. "

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.