The Biggest Strength

A boy named Okayo lived in a small town in Japan. He was interested in learning Judo. But due to an accident, he lost his left hand. However, he still wanted to learn judo. His parents were not allowing him due to absence of his left hand. But his demand of learning judo kept on becoming more obstinate as he was getting older.

Eventually, his parents bowed to his demand and took him to the best judo master of Japan. When the master looked at Okayo, he felt amazed and wondered why this boy wanted to learn judo without left hand. He asked Okayo, "You do not have left hand. How will you learn judo and compete with other boys." Okayo replied, "You should find an answer to that. This is why I have come here. I want to learn judo and become "Sensei" (master) of judo."

The master was impressed to see the dedication of Okayo, and said, "Okay, I will teach you Judo. But you have to make a promise. You will follow my instructions and will never disobey or even doubt my teaching."

Okayo bowed his head in acceptance.

The master started giving training to about fifty students including Okayo. Okayo was also learning like other students. But after few days, Okayo noticed that the master was teaching different techniques of judo to other students but he was still practicing the same kick which he had learnt on the first instance. He could not control himself and asked the master, "Respected Master, you are teaching different and new techniques to other students. But I am still practicing the same kick. Should I also not learn different techniques?"

The master said, "You only need to master this particular skill of kicking." Okayo remembered his promise and without any further questions, again started practicing kicking.

Two years passed. Other students were getting trained on different judo skills and techniques, while Okayo was still practicing the same technique of kicking. Okayo again felt disturbed as he only knew one technique of kicking and was only practicing that skill. He once again went to the master and asked, "Respected Master, should I still keep on practicing this skill while others will become expert in different techniques? Should I not learn any new skill of judo?"

The master said, "If you believe in me, then continue practicing this kick." Okayo did not ask any further and kept on practicing the same kick for another six years.

Eight years passed. One day, the master called all students and said, "I have given all the knowledge required by all of you as per your abilities. Now the time has come for organizing a competition among all of you and whoever would win, shall be granted the title of "Sensei"."

The competition started. The master called Okayo for his first match.

Okayo started fighting. To his own surprise, he easily won the first two matches within first minute through his technique of kick. The third match was a little tough. However, as soon as the opponent lost his concentration for a moment, Okayo managed to kick him and won the match. Okayo had now entered the final match. Okayo was himself very surprised seeing his own performance.

Now the opponent was much more powerful, skilled and experienced. It seemed that Okayo would not be able to even survive for a minute in the match.

The final match started. Okayo was feeling helpless in front of such a strong opponent. The match referee asked the master if they can consider the match to be over, else Okayo could even risk his life. But the master declined saying that the match had to be finished for making any decision.

The match resumed. Now the opponent was feeling over-confident. In his ego, he started considering Okayo a weak contender and made a big mistake of leaving his armor. Okayo took full advantage of this opportunity and with all his strength and precision, punched the kick on the opponent. The kick was so powerful that the opponent became unconscious and instantly fell on the ground. Okayo was declared winner of the competition and was awarded the title of "Sensei".

Okayo went to the master and asked, "Respected master, how I became "Sensei" by using only one technique."

The master replied, "You won because of two reasons. First, you mastered the most difficult kick of judo. Most probably, there is nobody else in the world who can execute this kick with such precision, strength and expertise as you do. Second, the only way to counter this kick is to hold the left arm of opponent and make him fall on the ground. If you had accepted that you cannot learn judo due to absence of your left hand, then today you would have not become "Sensei" and would have led a life cursing your destiny."

Okayo realized that the perceived weakness of left hand's absence was actually his biggest strength.