The Mouse:
Published: 3-29-2011
By Spencer Sensei
I was first told this story in 1985. I am not sure of its origins. It is my hope that you enjoy it as a metaphor for the karateka’s journey to black-belt. My intent is not to plagiarize someone’s work, but to share a short story that all karate students should hear. I hope you enjoy this tale.
Once upon a time there was a community of mice living in a large gray barn. There was abundant food, shelter, and water, but the mice lived in constant fear. You see a community of eagles continually circled above the barn patiently waiting for one of the small mice to make the fatal mistake and be caught out in the open with no protection. The unfortunate mouse would be struck with blinding speed and seized between the eagle’s razor-sharp talons that crushed them so tightly they could not utter a scream. Later they would be ripped to pieces and devoured. Each day the sun rose and the moon set, and the little mice community lived with the sound of the screaming eagles. Though that sound became as common as the sound of the rushing wind, it inaudibly tore at their spirit, and made them feel small and helpless. At times it was more than they could withstand. Those that broke-down could be found standing in the open weeping as though they had lost their first love. Life was not easy for the mice.
One night a mouse named Timid heard a sound that was as strange as it was soothing mingled all in the same moment. What was this wonderful and mystical sound that rocked him to sleep? The next day he went to Elder mouse’s house and asked about the strange sound. Elder mouse looked at him through his aged and drooping lids and asked, “Why do ask Timid mouse?” Timid mouse looked down at his feet and pushed the soil around, and quietly replied, “It calls to me.” “Hummm…” groaned Elder mouse. “It is called the ocean,” Elder mouse spoke slowly and with purpose. Timid mouse watched as Elder mouse’s eyes narrowed and his ancient brow furrowed. “No mouse has ever seen this creature, and you are not the first one of our kind to be lulled to sleep by its, soothing tones.” Elder mouse noted Timid Mouse’s discomfort. “Some,” he continued in a high-pitched all-knowing tone, “Have ran away to discover the source of the ocean’s call. They never returned.” “Maybe they found the ocean,” squealed Timid Mouse with glee. “They were killed…” flatly interrupted Elder mouse, “and you will be too if you foolishly leave the safety of our home and try to find this ocean.” Timid Mouse turned with his tail dragging and left Elder mouse’s abode with a sadness he had never felt before and with a longing he could not explain.
Night after night Timid Mouse would listen to the sound of the ocean and allow its soothing song to rock him to sleep. His mind filled with energy anytime he gave thought to it. Eventually he realized that if he did not seek the ocean he would die of a broken heart. Timid mouse gathered all his worldly positions and bid his family good-by. “Don’t go,” cried Mother mouse. “You’ll be killed…,” sobbed Father Mouse. “Good Luck,” cheered the neighbors. Timid mouse never heard them because his mind was on his great adventure to the ocean. Slowly he turned his back to the throng of mice and left the comfort of the gray barn.
It was dark when Timid Mouse stood outside the great gray monolithic barn that had been his home. A cool breeze blew from the south and Timid thought only for a moment that he could taste salt on the air. How strange and wonderful his adventure would be he thought to himself. The scream of an eagle brought his thoughts back to the sobering task ahead. It was a great distance for a little mouse to run. Before him lie a long open expanse before he could reach the safety of the buffalo grass. Timid Mouse was not the fastest runner in the great gray barn, but he was not the slowest either. He pulled a great breath of air into his lungs and ran as hard as he could possibly run towards the buffalo grass. His ears rang with the taunts of the eagles, and his lungs burned from lack of oxygen. Just when his muscles began to give out, he safely entered the buffalo grass and hid himself from the eagles. Their great jagged shadows crossed the light of the moon. They were searching for him, and his heart pounded. Visions of being ripped apart danced in his mind, and his side ached, but right now for this moment he was safe.
Timid mouse’s legs were tight. He could hardly move them. When the darkness became light, the eagles would find him, and he would be no more. Suddenly there was a rustling and a ghostly apparition of a mangy yellow battle-scarred tomcat came into view. He stepped in front of Timid Mouse. “Don’t eat me great cat.” pleaded Timid Mouse. “Not to worry little one. I’ve lost my teeth and can only eat the things dropped from the mouths of other cats.” Timid Mouse then looked closer and saw that the cat’s hair was missing in several places. His once proud tail was broken. A scar crossed his face. It was a deep gouge from a battle fought long ago. There was only one green eye looking into his face the other an empty socket where the twin orb once lived. “I’m old,” the cat continued, “old and useless. I await death like one awaits the arrival of an old friend.” “What is your story little one?” asked the cat curiously. “Do you hear that sound?” said Timid Mouse his knees shaking. “Oh…” said the cat. “You seek the ocean.” “Yes,” shouted Timid Mouse as if the cat had answered one of the more poignant questions of life. “Do you know the way?” “I do,” replied the cat. “When I was young, I spent much time in its presence. It is wonderful and powerful, and it helped me put my world in perspective.” Timid Mouse’s eyes widened, “Can you take me there?” “Yes…” said the cat looking into the distance. “Before we can go little mouse there is something I require of you first. As with all important things there is a price. It is a price that only you can pay.” Sadness entered the cat’s one good eye. “I must carry you through the buffalo grass to the giant boulders, but I am old, sick, and weak.” The cat looked pleadingly at the mouse. “If you give me one of your eyes, I will be restored and can carry you to the giant rocks, but that is as far as I can carry you.” The mouse took a step backwards. His mind spun like water flowing down a drain. “An eye… An eye,” shouted Timid Mouse. The little mouse began to cry. Through his tears he cursed himself for making the foolish decision to go on this journey. He could still be at home warm and cozy listening to father’s stories of exploration in the great gray barn. No, he was here wherever here was. Slowly his mind cleared, and he began to think. If he stayed here, the eagles would eat him, and to go forward he would need to make a terrible sacrifice. Slowly he screwed up his courage and plucked out his left eye. The cat swallowed it in one gulp. A glow appeared around the cat. His fur grew back into place. Claws razor sharp sprang from his paws, and a perfect green eye took up residence in the once vacant socket. The cat’s broken tail straightened and stood proud. This cat was renewed. “Grasp the hair on my belly mouse and I will take you to the boulders,” bellowed the now mighty yellow tomcat. Timid grasp the underside of the cat’s belly with all four feet, and the cat began running in long leaps and bounds. Eagles screamed and swooped down at the cat and his traveling companion, but sure as the cat’s word he dropped Timid Mouse at the foot of the giant boulders. “This is as far as I can take you little mouse. Another must guide you through the boulders. My job is done.” Slowly the cat walked away, and Timid Mouse knew he would miss this old tomcat.
The night was coming to an end and Timid Mouse was exhausted. He had not the strength to climb the mountain strewn with the giant boulders. He would be exposed each time he passed between two of the giant rocks. Surly he would die here without ever seeing the ocean. Tears filled his eyes, and he cursed the cat and cursed the journey, and wondered why he had ever wandered from his warm safe home. “Why are you crying little mouse?” a voice inquired. Timid Mouse looked up quickly as an old tired grey wolf sauntered into view. Fear gripped Timid Mouse. “Don’t eat please…” begged Timid Mouse. “Eat you…” the old wolf smiled, “You would only upset my stomach.” The wolf came closer and sniffed at the mouse. He once was a magnificent beast, but now was emaciated and covered with oozing sores. Timid Mouse could count the old wolf’s ribs as they protruded from his side. The wolf was almost white with age. He had only one tooth, and his tongue was coated with white froth. His bones creaked as he moved, and Timid Mouse felt sorry for this once great warrior. “Can you take me to the ocean?” inquired Timid Mouse. “Alas my young friend I cannot. In my youth, I spent many an hour on top of the cliff overlooking the marvelous blue ocean,” spoke the old wolf in wistful tones while his eyes looked for something far away. Slowly the wolf’s head turned as he looked to the top of the hill, and Timid Mouse could see the sparkle of tear on his cheek. “Is there no way great wolf?” Timid Mouse pressed. “Well…,” began the wolf in low somber tone, “There is one means.” “What… tell me…tell me… the morning is coming, and the eagles will find me, and I’ll never see the ocean,” said the little mouse as he grasp the old wolf’s whiskers and stared into the wolf’s eyes. “You must pluck out an eye. A gift of a mouse’s eye freely given will restore me,” said the wolf with sad and tired eyes. “No… No…, I’ll be blind,” shouted Timid Mouse. ”You…You cannot ask for such a sacrifice. It is too much.” The old wolf looked at the young mouse and replied, “I’m sorry, but it is the only way.” Timid Mouse fell on his face weeping uncontrollably. He could taste the earth in his mouth. His mind reeled. Why oh why, he thought, was the price so high? Why did he start this journey? Why had he not listened to Elder Mouse? Slowly his sobs slowed, and he pulled himself into a sitting position. “Okay he squeaked in his smallest of mouse voice.” Timid Mouse knew he was too close to quit now, and if he did nothing soon the sun would rise, and he would simply become breakfast for one of the powerful eagles that ruled the sky. “I guess I can feel the ocean with my hands and feet. That is better than quitting and being left alone in the wasteland,” said Timid Mouse. “I can only take you to the top of the ridge,” said the wolf. “You’ll have to continue the journey on your own.” “Well…” sniffed the little mouse, “At least I can still feel the breeze on my face and smell the ocean’s wonderful smell and listen one last time to its song before I die.” So, the little mouse plucked out his right eye and gave it the wolf. Timid Mouse could not see the wolf’s transformation, but he could feel heat radiating from the beast. A golden glow surrounded the wolf. His hair turned dark gray, and the sores closed up like clams closing their jaws. Sharp canine teeth filled the once empty gums. Muscle popped out from under the hairy cloak he wore. The wolf gave out a mighty alpha dog howl that caused Timid Mouse’s knees to buckle. “I am restored little mouse,” boomed the wolf. “Grasp the hair on my belly and I’ll carry you to the top of the ridge.” Timid Mouse felt around until he had firmly gripped the thick coat of hair the wolf now wore. With a flash the wolf began to bound around, jump over, and circle the huge rocks. Timid Mouse could hear the screams of the eagles as they caught sight of the wolf running wildly towards the crest of the mountain. One eagle slashed at the back of the wolf sending the wolf and timid Mouse rolling upon the ground, but with out stopping the wolf regained his stride and lost the eagles as he wound towards the crest. As quickly as it had begun it was over. Timid Mouse could hear a whistling sound as the wolf drank in large gulps of air. He could feel the pounding of the wolf’s heart and feel the rise and fall of his chest. “You can let go now,” said the wolf between pants. “Am I there?” questioned the little mouse in disbelief. “You are as far as I can take you,” replied the wolf. “You must finish the journey alone.”
Timid Mouse could hear the roar of the ocean tide. It was then that he realized the ocean was a great body of water. He felt the sting of the salty breeze on his face and tongue. It carried strange and wonderful smells he had never experienced before. He wanted to go to sleep now. His body ached with fatigue and pain. Soon the sun would rise, and he would be no more. “Why are you standing there?” asked the wolf. “I’m blind and tired,” shouted the mouse. “You’re close,” said the wolf, “Just step forward and jump. You’ll land in the ocean,” spoke the wolf compassionately. “Didn’t you want to feel the ocean with your hands and feet?” questioned the wolf. “I’ll drown… I’ll die,” screamed the mouse as he felt control slipping away. “So, you made the journey, and found the destination was not what you thought it would be. Was it the ocean or the journey you desired?” curiously inquired the wolf. The mouse fell silent. His mind was spinning. If he stayed where he was, he would surely die. It would be better to feel the ocean with his feet and hands than to become a victim of the eagle’s rage. The warming rays of the morning sun were falling on his back. Slowly the mouse moved forward until he felt the edge of the cliff. “Jump,” the wolf coaxed. Suddenly the mouse flung himself off the cliff. He fell and fell and fell. How high was the cliff he wondered? Then he could hear the wolf calling from a great distance. “Open your eyes little mouse. Open your eyes little mouse.” The little mouse opened the tightly closed lids that covered the empty sockets that once held eyes, and to his surprise he could see. Not only could he see, but he was soaring above the great blue ocean for he had transformed into an eagle. He was now king of the sky.
Black belt is a journey that many start and few complete. Obtaining the black belt is difficult, and it is only the beginning of the journey. The journey does not end at Shodan it only begins. I hope if you too train in karate that you too learn to soar with the eagles.