Strengths and Weaknesses

The story of one 10 year old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact
that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began his lessons with an old Japanese Judo Master. As the boy was
doing well in his lessons, he could not understand why after three months of
training and his master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally asked. "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need
to know." the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept
training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third
match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became
impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.
Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced. For a
while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get
hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the
sensei intervened.

"No." the sensei insisted. "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he
dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him down. The boy
had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every
match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost
mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of Judo. And second, the
only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grap your left
arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.