Robert loved to practice martial arts in is classes with Master Tanaka. He
always did very well but had not competed in his first tournament yet. Master Tanaka
had a rule that all of his students must attend their
first tournament alone and the very thought of facing a challenger without
the presence of Master Tanaka scared Robert to the bone.
Master Tanaka encouraged Robert to Compete at every tournament but
Robert Always refused, saying that his fear was a ferocious beast he could
not tame. One day after class Master Tanaka got an idea and called Robert
over to him. He put his hand on Robert’s shoulder and said “There is no courage
without fear Robert. To overcome your fear you must do the things you think
you cannot do. I will make a deal with you to give you courage to compete
so that you can turn your ferocious fear into a paper tiger.” Robert did not
really know what Master Tanaka meant but forgot all about it when he told
Robert that he would make an exception for him and attend his first tournament.
Since everything had to be kept a secret, Master Tanaka told Robert that he would not arrive until the moment Robert competed and that he would sit all the way in the back. On the day of the tournament Robert became very nervous because he had to wait many hours before it was his turn to compete. Finally, it was Robert’s turn and his name was called. Robert filled with fear as he scanned the audience looking for Master Tanaka. Robert’s name was called once more and just as they were about to forfeit the match, Robert spotted Master Tanaka all the way in the back! Robert’s fear lifted away and he ran out onto the platform. A few moments later Robert was holding the medal he won for winning his first tournament as he ran over to Master Tanaka. He reached his hand out to touch Master Tanaka and realized it was not Master Tanaka at all! It was Master Tanaka’s older brother Chang! A smile spread across Robert’s face as he realized what had happened; Master Tanaka tricked Robert into thinking he was at the tournament so that he could overcome his fear. From that day on, Robert competed and won many tournaments because he had realized that his fear was not the ferocious beast he had thought; it had only been a paper tiger that he shred to pieces.