If it works…
The Green Belt had just shown up for class. It was clear to see, he’d had some sort of mishap. The bandage on his cheek was clear evidence. When asked, he told the following story.
“I went to the movies last night. After the movie, I decide to walk through the park to get back to the dorm. I could have walked around the park, but it was a nice Spring night. Seemed like a nice time to enjoy the park. My mistake. As I approached a clump of bushes, this guy jumped out holding a knife. He told me to give him my money. Of course, I had spent all I had at the theater.
“When I told him I didn’t have any money, he moved in and slashed my face. I reacted and kick him in the crotch. He just stood there, like he was frozen. Then the pain hit and he doubled over, ending up in fetal position on the ground. I ran to the emergency room to get stitched up.
The nurse at the emergency room called the police. By the time they got to the park, my foe had recovered enough to escape. He was gone.”
The Green Belt’s friends teased him about attracting trouble. He was a great guy, but trouble always seemed to seek him out. He laughed and admitted it seemed so. Then he said that the part of the whole experience that struck him the most was how he defended himself. He said, “After all my training and practice, I ended up kicking him as if he were a football being punted. No side-thrust kick, no front snap kick, not even a roundhouse kick. A punt!!!”
Sensei was listening. He smiled and replied, “If it works, it is good karate.”
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