The class was standing at attention as Tiger walked around them slowly. He glanced at Little Dragon and nodded and she went into the back room where the supplies were kept. This was a new class full of beginners. The usual first day jitters were present in most of the students.
"The White belt is the first belt you receive. It represents purity and freshness. A new beginning as that of freshly fallen snow. It also represents The Crane." Tigers arms were folded behind him as he walked slowly around the studio's mat.
Little Dragon came running back with the sheet in her hand, smiling. She always enjoyed the lesson of the Crane. The first experience of the first day in a karate dojo. All the students eyes widened with curiosity at the large white sheet. Tiger bowed to her and took the sheet in hand.
"The Crane, is no match for a Tiger. There is no comparison to their abilities to fight head on. So the Crane must use evasive tactics to survive an attack from such a creature as the Tiger, Serpent, Jaguar and Dragon." Tiger looked at Little Dragon and smiled. A student near the back raised their hand.
"Yes?"
"What's the sheet for?" A young boy asked with curiosity.
"I'm getting to that." Tiger snickered. "Every creature on this Earth has something the others don't. Do you know what the Crane has to help it in a confrontation?" Tiger asked. Little Dragon was the only one to raise their hand. Tiger gave her a half hearted smile. But being the only one to raise their hand. "Yes, Dee?"
Little Dragon giggled, "A wide wing pan!"
"Yes, the Crane has a very long wing span which it can use to ward off attempts at mid body attacks. For example...you," Tiger pointed to a student on the front row.
"Me?" The little boy asked nervously.
"Yes you, come at me and attack me." Tiger said with a serious tone. The little boy looked around the room and swallowed deeply then took two slow steps forward uncertain what to do. Tiger whipped the sheet in the air and it covered the little boy fully. The boy was trying desperately to pull the sheet off him with several attempts before he got it removed. The class all giggled.
"The Crane can use it's wing span to cloak its movements from its opponent. While getting away or taking flight. The wings flutter before the eyes of the tigers attack, the tiger closes it's eyes and that is just enough time for the Crane to take flight." Tiger looked at the little boy, "Thank you young man." Then pointed for him to return to his position in line.
"You take away a persons sight for a split second or longer and that gives you an advantage for a brief moment. Then what you do with that moment is critical because the tiger will not fall for this to many times." Tiger walked back and forth in front of the class while explaining the techniques of the Crane.
"Ok pair up and practice," Tiger said while helping the students find a partner and begin using the movements needed to defend as a Crane would. Little Dragon helped several also while the class began to catch on and take turns doing their (Hol sin sols) movements.
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That night, Tiger and Little Dragon were in the hot tub on the back porch of their home. Enjoying the steaming, warm, swirling water. Dragon had on a two piece bathing suit while Tiger was in his shorts. Little Dragon stood up and smiled.
"See the Crane," she said laughing as she stood on one leg, raising her arms high and one leg pulled up out of the water.