Weakness Or Strength

Sometimes your biggest weakness can 

become your biggest strength. Take, for 

example, the story of one 10-year-old boy 

who decided to study judo despite the fact 

that he had lost his left arm in a 

devastating car accident. 

The boy began lessons with an old 

Japanese judo master. The boy was doing 

well, so he couldn't understand why, 

three months of training the master 

had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't 

I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but 

this is the only move you'll ever need

 to know," the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing

 in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took

 the boy to his first tournament. Surprising 

himself, the boy easily won his first two 

matches. The third match proved to 

be more difficult, but after some time, 

his opponent became impatient and 

charged; the boy deftly used his one 

move to win the match. Still amazed by 

his success, the boy was now in the 

finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, 

stronger, and more experienced. For a 

while, the boy appeared to be over matched. 

Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the 

referee called a time-out. He was about to 

stop the match when the sensei intervened.

"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his 

opponent made a critical mistake: he 

dropped his guard. Instantly, the 

boy used his move to pin him. The boy had 

won the match and the tournament. He 

was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei 

reviewed every move in each and every 

match. Then the boy summoned the courage 

to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with 

only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei 

answered. "First, you've almost mastered 

one of the most difficult throws in all of 

judo. And second, the only known defense 

for that move is for your opponent 

to grap your left arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his 

biggest strength.

Author Unknown

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