Gordon Returns With Another Story!

Not long ago, we shared a story by Gordon, an individual served at Echoing Hills of Central Ohio. He wrote about lessons taught from one generation to another through the evolution of a caterpillar to a butterfly. He has returned with another story!

This time Gordon shares a lesson through writing about Japanese archery.  This sport requires a lot of patience, one of the fruits of the spirit. Gordon has done a lot of research on Japanese archery and even shared a book on the subject for others to review. His thoughtful act showing kindness – another fruit of the spirit!

Enjoy his latest tale.

The Japanese Archer

Once upon a time, there was a young 15-year-old boy named Billy Baker. Billy was a scholar and liked to watch the educational station on television.

One day, Billy was watching a show about Japanese archery. The narrator on the show said that Japanese archery wasn’t about hitting the target, but was about using good form. Billy was fascinated by the beautiful, graceful movements of the Japanese archers and by the end of the show, he had decided that he wanted to become a Japanese archer.

He did yardwork for a well-to-do family and over a period of two or three years he had saved up a fair amount of money, enough to buy archery equipment.

Billy got the address of a store that sells karate equipment. On Saturday he took a bus downtown to the store. He got off the bus and after walking about one block, he came to the store. Entering the store he saw a dazzling array of karate clothes, karate equipment, and karate books. A pleasing aroma of Jasmine incense drifted up from an incense burner, while a CD player playing relaxing music.

An elderly man came out and introduced himself as the owner of the shop. He said his name was Master Chang and that he was 105 years old. Billy said that he wanted to buy Japanese archery equipment, but that he needed someone to teach him. Master Chang agreed to teach him Japanese archery.

Billy spent several months studying Japanese archery under Master Chang and finally Master Chang said that Billy was ready to enter a contest.

The main competition in the contest was a boy named Joe Green. Joe had won the nationals three years in a row. All the newspaper reporters asked Joe how he was going to do in this year’s nationals. Everyone acted like Joe had already won the nationals and the season had only just begun. Billy made it through all four rounds and now it was between he and Joe.

Joe took careful aim and let his arrow fly. Joe’s arrow hit the target dead center. Joe walked over and picked up the trophy, he didn’t think that Billy could beat his shot. The judge said that it would be a near impossible shot for Billy to make, but it was only fair to let him try.

Billy stepped up, then did something totally unexpected. He blindfolded himself. Billy took careful aim and let his arrow fly. His arrow not only hit the target dead center, but also split Joe’s arrow right in two. Billy won the contest and was awarded $5,000 dollars in prize money.

After the contest, as they were driving home, Master Chang said to Billy, “You have one final lesson to learn about Japanese archery.”

A few days later, Master Chang picked Billy up in his car. After about one hour of driving they came to a run-down building. They went inside and Billy saw about 50 shabbily dressed children. “Where are we,” asked Billy. “We are at a shelter for homeless children,” said Master Chang. “Their parents can’t afford to take care of them.” Billy saw one of the children eating a bag of potato chips. “Won’t he spoil his dinner,” asked Billy. “That is his dinner,” said Master Chang softly.

About one week later the director of the center called Master Chang on the phone and asked if he could come to the center.

Master Chang walked into the center and couldn’t believe what he saw. The children were eating a fabulous buffet dinner. Three tables were piled high with all sorts of delicious food. On the floor were dozens and dozens of toys.

“Where did all this come from,” asked Master Chang in amazement. The director said that an anonymous donor had given the shelter $5,000 dollars.

A few days later, Billy was reading one of his books about Japanese archery when there was a knock on his door. He opened the door and there was Master Chang. Billy invited Master Chang in. Master Chang handed Billy a small package. Billy unwrapped the package and there was a small, plastic trophy. Master Chang said it was the first Japanese archery trophy that he won. He won it when he was five years old. Master Chang said that he was giving it to Billy as a way of saying that he thought Billy was a real Japanese archer.

Billy was so overcome with emotion that he broke down and cried. The depth and the magnitude of what the gift meant – that his master thought he was a Japanese archer. Billy had demonstrated true love for his fellow man.