These are not my words. These are words from a movie I love – Kungfu Panda. This dialogue between Master Shifu and Master Oogway is truly inspiring. So I am sharing it.
Shifu: I… I… have… it’s… it’s very bad news.
Oogway: Aah, Shifu. There’s just news. There’s no good or bad.
Shifu: Master, your vision… your vision was right. Tai Lung has broken out of prison! He’s on his way!
Oogway: That is bad news… if you do not believe that the Dragon Warrior can stop him.
Shifu: The panda? Master, that panda is not the Dragon Warrior. He wasn’t even meant to be here. It was an accident.
Oogway: There are no accidents.
Shifu: [Sighs] Yes, I know. You said that already… twice.
Oogway: Well, that was no accident either.
Shifu: … Thrice.
Oogway: My friend, the panda will never fulfill his destiny, nor you yours, until you let go of the illusion of control.
Shifu: Illusion?
Oogway: Yes. Look at this tree, Shifu. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me, nor make it bear fruit before it’s time.
Shifu: But there are things we can control. [Kicks the tree causing several peaches to fall] I can control when the fruit will fall. [One hits him on the head. Oogway chuckles] And I can control… [Tosses the peach in the air and chops it in half] …where to plant the seed. [Punches a hole in the ground and catches the seed] That is no illusion, Master. [Throws the seed into the hole]
Oogway: Ah, yes. But no matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Shifu: But a peach cannot defeat Tai Lung!
Oogway: Maybe it can. [Covers the seed in dirt] If you are willing to guide it, to nurture it. To believe in it.
Shifu: But how? How? I need your help, master.
Oogway: No. You just need to believe. Promise me, Shifu. Promise me you will believe.
Shifu: I… I will try.
Oogway: Good. [Sees petals floating around him] My time has come. You must continue your journey without me. [Hands Shifu his staff]
Shifu: What… What are you…? [Oogway backs into the swirling petals] Master, you can’t leave me!
Oogway: [Starts to vanish] You must believe.
Your comments are welcome!