Secret of success
A ten year old Japanese boy dreamt of becoming a judo champion. But he didn’t have his left hand. Judo is hard to learn even for a fittest person. What will this disabled boy do.

He went to many masters in vain. Atlast one master agreed. The training started. He taught him a single attack for days together. Months went by. The teacher didn’t teach him anything else. He was disheartened.
Master how this one attack is enough. Pl. Teach me more.
Master replied, you become expert in this one attack, that is enough.
He can’t disobey his master. The training continued.

The championship tournament started.
First round. A fully trained opponent n this boy who has learnt just one attack. The boy won to everyone’s surprise.

Second, third, he won till the semi finals. He won that too.

The finals. The opponent has won many championships. He felt pity n rediculance on seeing his one handed opponent. First round started. The boy couldn’t stand the champion’s attack. He fell down. All took pity on him and wanted to stop the competition.
The master said, no, he will fight the second round.
The champion became overconfident. He removed his helmet and started to fight with a little laid back attitude . The boy attacked the only way he knew with full force. The champion fell down. The boy won the championship. None, even the boy couldn’t believe what happened.

Later, the boy bowed his master and asked him how he won knowing one single attack.
Master smiled and said, two reasons for your success. One , you have mastered one of judo’s most powerfull attack. Second, there is only one way to defend this attack for the opponent. He has to catch your left hand, which in your case he can’t.. Your weakness became your strength and made you a champion.
The boy stood in wonder and bowed in reverence.
If we all know how to turn our weakness as our strength and learn to face life with its challanges success is not far. Life has given every individual a uniqueness. Use it wisely.

A translation of a Tamil forward by my mother Anjana