Allow me to tell you all a story of a simpler time. A time of fun and games. I refer, of course, to the days of my childhood. This story is dear to me, and I hope you all take the time to read it. It started off in 2004, when I was 8 years old and just starting at a new school, having changed at the end of the previous year. I was a little nervous, as I had been bullied a lot at my old school, and I was afraid that nobody would let me play with them.
Having myself introduced to the class by the teacher made things a little easier, and I recognised someone who I had liked from the previous school transferred over to this one as well. The day got better from there as Sports was the first subject of the day, I was one of the first people to be picked for a team and we got to play dodgeball.
I was intrigued by this new game; It was very fun, yet insanely difficult at the same time. I decided from then that I would become a master at Dodgeball, hoping to one day play for the national team, travelling to the greatest, most difficult tournaments on the planet, and to coach my own club. The trouble was, I lacked one crucial skill that I knew I had to master. I fumbled every ball that was sent my way, leaving me an easy target for elimination, It was also important as a catch would result in the thrower being eliminated. I needed to learn to catch in order to be more effective, I had to adapt.
I began intense training for my new found life-goal. Every recess and lunchtime at school I would be playing Dodgeball with the sports kids, and at home I dedicated 1 hour each night towards my fitness and skills. Over time I became feared by the other kids, to the point where they made extra rules for me to keep the games balanced, however it seemed that I just wasn't made to catch things. I would drop even the easiest of throws. I was growing impatient, seeing no improvement in my catching skills, I decided that perhaps discipline would help me to improve my dismal hand-eye co-ordination.
I knew of a dojo not far from my house, whose Sensei had spent over 40 years in Tibet, mastering several martial arts, as well as deep meditation. He was a near mythic figure who drew a lot of respect from the community, and if anybody could help me master my weakness, it would be him.
So one freezing day in July 2004 I rode my bike to the dojo after school, keeping in mind my desire to play at the highest level, and to pass on what I would learn to the next generation, I opened the door and stepped inside. There I was met with the sight of the great Sensei sitting cross-legged, facing away from me. Without a movement, he asked, "Child, what brings you to this place on such a day as today?" I stepped towards him, carefully thinking about my response. I drew a deep breath, and replied. "I wanna be the very best, like no-one ever was. To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause."
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10/10 would read joke porn again.