The Kung Fu School
Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a kung fu school high up in a mountain. Three disciples at this school had completed their training. In accordance with tradition, they departed to wander the world for ten years, using their martial arts to help people and uphold justice.
After a decade of adventures, they returned to the school at the appointed time. Much to their surprise, they found the place deserted. They could tell it had been abandoned for quite a while. Everything was falling apart, and weeds grew everywhere.
The junior disciple voiced the question they were all thinking: "Where is everyone? What happened to our school?"
The senior disciple said: "I feared something like this might happen. I think it must be because the Master had no more new techniques to teach, and so decided to close the school."
The second disciple shook his head: "That is unlikely. I think it must be because the disciples have not kept up the maintenance of the school, thus allowing everything to fall into such a sorry state."
The junior disciple disagreed: "That is just as unlikely. I think it must be because the Master was getting older, but there were no capable students in the new generation to take over."
They argued over this but could not achieve agreement. They searched the area but could not find any trace of the people they knew. Finally, they gathered to discuss the situation.
The senior disciple was the first to speak: "I do not think we can solve this mystery. We may never know what caused the decline and abandonment of the school."
The second disciple nodded: "I think it may be more important for us to consider what we should do next."
"Our duty seems clear to me," the junior disciple said. "We must restore the school to its former glory. That is what the Master would want us to do."
"Yes, I was about to suggest the same thing," the senior disciple agreed. "I can take up the primary teaching duties. After all, I used to serve as the Master's assistant instructor. Among the three of us, I have the deepest insights into our style of kung fu."
"Definitely," the second disciple also agreed. "I can take charge of the school's daily operations. I will plan and supervise all the work necessary for ongoing maintenance. After all, I am known for my attention to details. Among the three of us, I have the most organizational ability."
"This is great!" the junior disciple was excited. "I can serve as the school's liaison to the outside world. After all, I have always been known for my outgoing personality. Among the three of us, I have the most social connections to leverage for our benefit."
The three settled in. They cleaned up the decaying school and worked together to rebuild everything. Slowly, their hard work paid off. The word got out that their kung fu was once again emerging as a formidable force in the martial arts world. New students began coming.
The disciples continued their efforts, and the school became more famous and prosperous than ever before. A few years later, the three of them gathered together to celebrate their success.
"You know, I never thought we would become so successful," the junior disciple remarked after a few drinks. "How do you think we got to this point?"
Wine in hand, the senior disciple responded: "Is it not obvious? Our success is primarily due to the powerful new techniques I have developed. Notice how they keep the students hungry for more advanced levels of learning!"
The second disciple set down his cup and scoffed: "Nonsense! As powerful as your new techniques are, they would do us no good if we do not have this immaculate setting in which to teach. Our success is primarily due to my careful management. Just look at the smooth running of our daily operations!"
"No! You are both wrong." The junior disciple was irritated: "Without the constant flow of new blood, it will not matter how great our techniques are or how organized the school is. Our success is primarily due to my efforts in promoting our kung fu to the world. Look at all the students I have recruited!"
Their arguments heated up and became quarrels. At first, they kept the bickering private, but soon their conflicts spilled out into the open.
Their public hostility to one another had a big impact on the school. The students felt increasingly uncomfortable in the tense environment. The school's prosperity and prestige began to diminish as the students stopped coming one by one. One day, the three disciples discovered they had no students left.
They all felt their differences were beyond reconciliation, so there was no point to continue working together. It was time for them to leave again. They would all be better off going back out into the world, each seeking his own destiny.
Prior to going their separate ways, they discovered there was one thing they could agree on: the cause for the decline and abandonment of the school.
It was not the lack of new techniques. Nor was it the lack of diligent maintenance. Nor was it the lack of a new generation of students.
It was... the lack of harmony.
