Punky Fu

“But what will determine which I choose?” asked Shao Chi.

“There are two forces in each of us, Yin and Yang,” Lei Kung pronounced . “In this case, they are Love and Fear. Both are necessary - for without fear, you cannot prepare yourself to face danger. And without love, life is not worth living. In each new situation, one can overcome the other. It is up to you to determine which response is most appropriate.”

“So I fear the people who hurt me?” asked Shao Chi.

“No, Little Spirit,” laughed Lei Kung. “You fear your ability to hurt those people. You now have the ability to do so, should you choose; it is like carrying a weapon with you at all times. Carelessness or temper can be fatal.”

“So, must I choose fear?” asked Shao Chi.

“No. You fear incaution or your inability to control yourself,” said Lei Kung. “You must overcome this fear and learn to trust in your self. Fear is not the enemy. Fear gives you caution. Power is only bad when imbalanced without harmony. Trust in that caution; trust in yourself.”

“Sifu, I have deep doubts!” exclaimed Shao Chi.

“Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom,” said Lei Kung. “At heart, you question your worthiness as a warrior. This is what gives you caution - and, I trust, that ability to choose responsibly.”

“Then the dreams of hurting people?” asked Shao.

“Merely represent your need to leave behind the ghosts that haunt you. Replace your bad thoughts with good ones - like a cure overcoming a poison,” explained Lei Kung. “Vomit up the poison. Make new memories. Have new experiences. Experience love and regain your own trustworthiness.”

“But it takes so long!” said Shao.

“I know,” said Lei Kung sympathetically. “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Tonight you have taken that step by trusting me. Now I trust you to take another and another until you have reached your journey’s end.”

“The nightmares…” said Shao Chi.

“…will end,” said Lei Kung, “if you allow them to be free. Let them go. Get rid of the pollutants and let the fire purify you.” In an uncharacteristically demonstrative way, Lei Kung kissed Shao Chi’s head tenderly, and tucked the Little Spirit back into bed.