A short scene exercise written for the Action lesson. Marie Lee was able to turn this scene into a short story within one week.

“You’re late.”

Miles raised his head to Sensei with a bag slinged over his shoulder, “Yeah, and?” Miles retorted, “I got into a stupid argument.” It was Robert’s fault. He started it. Why should I be the one to get punished for bringing pizza to school? Robert gave the idea! He even snitched! Miles pouted slightly.

Sensei sighed. He beckoned Miles to drop their bag and come. Miles moved slowly, clearly tired. Miles strolled to Sensei.

“You took your time.” Sensei remarked, “You weren’t doing too good since you came here, Japan. And from Seattle. It has been six months and ten weeks. You should’ve improved. Anyways, today we’re going to focus on your balance.” Sensei went away, then returned with a small pebble.

”Follow me to the Shinboku tree.” Sensei led Miles to a tall, mystical and mesmerizing tree with curled branches and patterns. The tree was on a vast, lush plain. Miles gaped in amazement, absolutely flabbergasted by the amazing tree. When Miles tore his gaze from the tree, Sensei was dangling at the root of the Shinboku Tree, grasping the knots on the bark.

“What?! We have to climb the tree?!” Miles exclaimed. By the time they were at the top, Miles was already panting from exhaustion. Wind blew through his hair. Suddenly, Miles felt refreshed. Miles straightened up. He realized the tree was glowing purple and the curling patterns glowed beautifully.

He looked back and saw a phenomenal view. As the tree glowed purple, the flourishing plains swayed. The dusking sun shone onto the grasslands, making it seem to glow.

“You’ll have to go back to the foot of the tree and try to knock this pebble off my hand.” Sensei interrupted Miles’ entrancement.

“What?! Going up here was exhausting for me but now I have to go all over again? By myself? I could never-” Miles was cut off by Sensei, “Go.”

Miles reluctantly climbed back down with extra caution. How can he even go all the way up?

“Can I start now?” Miles shouted to Sensei, “Yes?”

Miles saw Sensei nod.

Miles struggled to get each hand onto one branch to another. His legs were sore, his arms were sore. Everything seemed to be impossible.

“Come on now, you can do this.” Sensei encouraged, “You even have to knock off the pebble off my hand later.” Miles groaned in frustration, then bunched up his strength and climbed up the tree.

“Excellent work. That is commendable, keep it up.” Sensei encouraged Miles once again.

Miles finally reached the top. He was proud of himself but worn out. Sensei let Miles catch his breath.

“Alright alright, I’m ready.” Miles shifted into the Hook Stance. Which was difficult, but he’d do anything to impress the Sensei or prove his worth. Miles sprung onto Sensei, but he simply relied on speed to knock off the pebble. So Sensei only took one step aside and Miles was unbalanced and almost fell off the tree branch.

Miles turned around and shifted his footing a bit, then slid across the branch and nearly, just nearly knocked off the pebble before getting tripped by Sensei. Miles slipped and was hit square in the gut by a branch. He grunted in pain then got back up the branch.

“Focus on balance, Jikideshi. Balance.” Sensei advised, “try again.” Sensei helped Miles get up.

“I have to start over again?” Miles groaned in frustration and disbelief.

I went through all that just to start over again? This is just ridiculous!

He pleaded to Sensei to just let him do it without having to start all over again.

“No, you can start over by that branch.” Sensei replied. He gestured over to a branch which wasn’t facing the sun. Miles sighed in relief.

He slowly got to the branch and changed into the Parallel stance, which was an easy stance but easy to balance. This time, Miles tried a slower approach. He reached another branch which was wider. He leaped onto Sensei and threw off Sensei’s balance and snatched the pebble. He swiftly backflipped onto their preset branch and exclaimed triumphantly.

“Good job, Jikideshi. Let us return to the dojo.” Sensei praised him.

They returned to the dojo. Miles slinged his bag over his shoulder once again wearily.

“Rest, apprentice. Remember the fundamentals and principles.” Sensei bid his farewell.

“Sure. Goodbye master.” Miles bowed in respect. Then he skipped away with new education and more sense in his head.

Lessons