The Importance of Giving 

Tales & Traditions

Once, long ago, there was a very small village hidden away in a valley. Everyone in the country knew that this village was where the finest martial artists in the land came from, but no one knew why. Spectacular warriors, brilliant men and powerful leaders had all emerged from this village at one time or another. A very curious young man named Addington decided to visit the village to find out what made its people so unique.

Upon arriving in the village, this young man was introduced to Master Lee. No one was left in the village who knew how old Master Lee was, but everyone knew that they had known of them since their childhood. Addington was invited to train at Master Lee’s house, and was intrigued at the fashion in which they worked. Every martial artist there had actually helped to build the very house in which they trained. Addington asked Master Lee about this, and this was Master Lee’s reply:

“What you have asked about, young man, is truly the secret to the success of our village. I know that you came here to learn why our people are so special. Here is the key, we share everything. Everyone in our village relies on each other to survive. No one lives entirely on his own. We share each others struggles, joys, heartaches and success. Anyone that has a need, we give them what they lack. Anyone that has excess, they give to those who need. In this way we have tapped into the truest nature of the martial arts.”

Young Addington returned to his own village several days later, carrying with him the knowledge he had gleaned on his journey. As he continued on in his own martial arts training, he always remembered the lesson Master Lee had taught him. He eventually became a Master himself, and for the rest of his life taught all of his students the importance of giving what you have to those in need.