Mom really did like Christmas. She was constantly humming or singing Christmas songs as she fed Ben or worked in the kitchen. It was weird. She’d had an orthodox Jewish upbringing and felt a strong connection to her religion, yet here she was belting out Christmas tunes. I asked her about it and she smiled and said that she liked the happy songs.
Happy songs or not, this Christmas started off with torture, followed closely with pain and misery, and ultimately ended in joy and triumph. In the days preceding my red belt test, Uncle Paul was relentless with my training. I put my studies on hold for the week and we worked non-stop on my stamina, strength and power. Sifu Zhang and Charlie took over all of Paul’s classes so he could give me his full attention, but there were still plenty of opportunities for all three of them to work me over. It was grueling and I couldn’t wait for the test. It couldn’t possibly be worse than the training.
On the day of the testing, all four of us packed into Paul’s car and we drove to Sifu Zhang’s old school in Raleigh. He hadn’t been back to visit since he’d transferred over his school to his protege and his greeting as he entered the school was like that of a monarch returning after a victorious battle. It was a good thing that we’d arrived early because the whole school had turned out and everyone wanted to welcome Sifu Zhang back.
Sifu William eventually got everyone settled down and the testing day began. The previous day had been the testing day for beginners and all the levels up to and including third dan. Today, we would watch the testing for the fourth and fifth dans and then everyone would leave so that the testing for the red belts could begin. Only masters and the candidates were allowed to witness the testing. That was why mom and dad hadn’t come to watch my testing and offer support.
The school was easily four times the size of Uncle Paul’s and whereas our school had a handful of fourth and fifth dans, this one had almost twenty students testing today. With so many higher level students taking their test, I was recruited to assist in their testing. Mostly it involved sparring with them for a few minutes. I was happy to help and it was a good way to take my mind off of my own testing. The only tricky part was keeping my fighting skills down to a level that was just slightly above theirs. The idea was to challenge them, not crush them. However, if they lacked the skill to advance to the next level, my job was to point it out to them and to those evaluating them.
One of the fifth dan candidates, a tall, muscular man with tattoos all over his arms was very cocky. We faced off and he didn’t bother putting up his hands to protect himself. I gave him a low power kick to the side of his head to remind him. He put his hands up after that and did much better. I didn’t know how the judges would feel about his performance, but I thought he deserved to move ahead.
The testing for these levels lasted for a few hours, followed by a belt ceremony for those that passed their testing. At the end of the ceremony, with included group pictures and much celebration, everyone was politely ushered out the door so that the final red belt testing could begin. The room cleared out, leaving twelve masters and four candidates. I was the youngest of our group and the only woman.
Those of us who have been through the testing are admonished not to reveal what happens in the testing. When mom asked me about it later, all I could tell her was that I had to fight several of the masters and earn my place among them. Also, they didn’t pull their punches.
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The most challenging part of training for this test was that Uncle Paul asked me not to use my field during the testing. “You need to pass this test on your own, without using the extra advantages that you have. Your special abilities have allowed you to grow at a much faster rate and have led you to this point years ahead of schedule. However, everyone who has achieved mastery has done so without using abilities like yours. If you truly want to be a master of Kung Fu, you need to do it on the same terms as everyone else.”
I couldn’t fault his logic and I put aside my field for the testing. Despite this handicap, Uncle Paul and Sifu Zhang had trained me well and I earned my red belt the old-fashioned way. Sure, I was bruised and battered, but I gave as good as I got and I was now a master of Kung Fu!
Uncle Paul presented me with my red belt and tied it on for me during the ceremony. Sifu Zhang and Charlie cheered me on from the side. Watching Sifu Zhang cheer on a new master sent his old students into shock. They had never seen him so emotional.
Only three of us got our red belt that day. The fourth candidate was injured during one of his fights and wasn’t able to finish his testing. We stayed on to talk to Sifu Williams and one of the other masters and we helped them get the room ready for classes the next day.
“Sifu, when you left me the school, it was plain to those of us who knew you, that you were very sick. I kept expecting a call from Paul with sorry news. When he called to say that you were fine, I was surprised and a little skeptical, figuring that he was exaggerating to lift up my spirits. Seeing you here, healthy and stronger than I’ve seen you in decades, is unbelievable and makes me sorry that I doubted him. If you wish to return, I would gladly step aside for you, Sifu. This school will always be yours.” Sifu Williams’s offer was genuine and from the heart. He deeply respected his mentor and wanted nothing more than to have him back.
A tear rolled down Sifu Zhang’s face and he embraced his student. “Thank you, William, but I have found a new challenge now and I would never seek to displace you from yours. Through your hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you have earned this school. You are Sifu here, until you are ready to hand it off to the next Sifu.”
Wiping his own tear away, Sifu William asked, “What are you doing now?”
“I am working for this newly-minted Kung Fu master. As payment for saving my life, I agreed to work for her charitable foundation. She built a studio for me to teach self-defence and Kung Fu to the victims of human trafficking that her foundation assists. Her foundation assists these survivors in regaining control of their lives.”
“Much like your Kung Fu, you pack a lot into a few sentences. Your answer only opens the door to more questions. If I’d have known that she saved your life, I wouldn’t have been able to evaluate her dispassionately.”
“That is why I didn’t do the testing myself and why I didn’t tell you until her testing was over. She deserved the chance to earn her mastery by the merits of her skill. Now that she has, I think you’ll be interested in watching her fight again. This time without her holding back.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Abby had the ability to access a higher level of Kung Fu. I asked her not to use it during the testing. Abby, please spar with Sifu Williams and show him what you can really do.”
An hour later, even more wrung out than before but freshly showered and changed, I rejoined Charlie in the backseat of Uncle Paul’s car. As he drove away and made his way to the highway, I was on the verge of falling asleep when I heard Sifu Zhang say, “You did well today, Abby. Congratulations. You should take the next week off to rest and relax. After that, we’ll begin your training for your first master level dan.”
I groaned audibly and they all had a good laugh at my expense. It was yet more proof that no good deed goes unpunished.