The Story of Apprentice Matura

Matajura wanted to become a great swordsman, but his father said he could never learn because he wasn’t quick enough and could never learn. So Matajura went to the famous dueler, Bonzo, and asked to become his pupil. “How long will it take me to become a master?”, he asked. “Suppose I become your servant to be with you every minute. How long?” 

“Ten years”, said Bonzo. 

“My father is getting old. Before ten years have passed, I will have to return home to take care of him. Suppose I work twice as hard. How long will it take me?” 

“Thirty years”, said Bonzo.

“How is that?” asked Matajura. “First you say ten years. Then when I offer to work twice as hard, you say it will take three times as long. Let me make myself clear. I will work unceasingly. No hardship will be too much. How long will it take?”

“Seventy years”, replied Bonzo. A pupil in such a hurry learns slowly.

The more you worry about the end result, the less time you have to focus on daily training. Some people are more physically adept and athletic than others. Some are less. Some people can concentrate better and more consistently than others. Some less. Everyone is different and each person progresses at their own rate.

The goal is to develop yourself. Ranking of kyu or dan is an indication to yourself of where you stand in your training. Once you go on to a higher level you have to constantly review and maintain what you have learned before. Ultimately, what you will learn in the future depends greatly on what you learned in the past. At each level a person needs to become a master of what they are supposed to know at that level. Some learn quicker than others. Jealousy of rank should not become an issue, rather a person should focus on the things that they need to know. Courtesy and manners are of upmost importance.