"The Narrow Path"

 Long ago, out in the wildlands of Temuair, there lived a wise old monk and his two sons.  The wise old monk had taught many students in his dojo in his time, and was prepared to pass on his secrets to one of his sons to carry on his sytle, his legacy.  All teachers need to have heirs.
 And so he charged his sons with a quest, of sorts.  He told them to go out into the world and train for one Deoch.  After that time, they were to return to his humble remote dojo and face his challenge.  The winner would be the one to carry on the family dojo, the one to pass the family's wisdom to a new generation.
 The two sons looked at each other, and smiled broadly.  They had always been in competition, being siblings.  They welcomed the chance to prove once and for all who was the superior.
 The elder son went out into the world and steeped himself in the ways of the monk.  He studied from every teacher he could, learning secrets and tricks to broaden his horizons.  He left no avenue unexplored, consequently he mastered few techniques.
 The younger child spent his times honing his combat skills to their utmost perfection.  He learned only what could help him in battle, and learned such techniques very well.  Indeed, he became a very fierce and reknowned warrior.  Few creatures could stand long against his blows.  Yet he knew little outside of combat.
 After the appointed Deoch had passed, the two brothers returned to their father's dojo in the wildlands to face their challenge and prove themself their brother's better.  The father beamed with pride when he saw his sons again.  Both had clearly trained very hard indeed to learn his secrets.  But only one could run his dojo, and his task was set.  He bade his sons to follow him up the mountain trail behind his dojo.
 They eventually reached a mountainous plateau, where the father had clearly spent much time.  The field of wildflowers had an area for quiet meditation, logs were wrapped with rope and hung around for training, and, most interesting of all, a rather large structure stood at one end of the field.
 This construct resembed a house, only consisting of but one room.  It was quite large, but not ornate.  It had but one large opening in the front.  A rope tied to the front of this house went though this portal and disappeared into the interior.  Over the opening a name was painted, which the father began to call.  "Here Fluffy!"
 As something inside the small house began to stir, growling, the father told his sons what their challenge was to be.
 "The one of you who takes the bell off my little pet's collar will be the one deemed worthy to carry on my dojo."
 The sons turned to look at the house.  At first, all they saw was a pair of eyes in the darkened interior.  As the beast emerged, they were taken aback by the sight of a very large cat, indeed.  It was far larger than a man, yellow and spotted.  Around its neck was a belled collar.  Being monks, the sons recognized the monster for what it was, a legendary Kelberoth!  The father untethered the Kelberoth from its leash, scratching its neck.
 "Good Fluffy!  Playtime!", turning to his sons, "Who's first?"
 The younger son, knowing no fear from any beast, bravely stepped forward.  "'Tis a simple task you have set, no monster can withstand my finely-honed blows!"
 But the Kelberoth is a powerful foe, indeed.  The elder son started with a flying kick towards the head of the beast...  And was swatted down like a bird in mid-flight.  Landing with elegant grace, he launched into a flurry of kicks and well-placed punches, none of which penetrated the thick hide of the beast.  A mighty paw came down upon him once again.
 Battered, but not defeated, the youthful son tried again and again to slay the beast and take the bell.  But all he earned were bruises and cuts.  Exhausted, he finally withdrew.
 "Bah!  'Tis some mythically invincible beast!  None could defeat it if my perfect attacks could not!"
 The elder son looked at the beast, and contemplated his options.  As he pondered his strategy, he meandered through the field of wildflowers, where inspiration struck him.  He quickly sifted through the flowers.  Being knowledgable in herbalism, he soon found what he had thought might be there:  A small leafy herb with little puple flowers.
 He gathered a few bunches of the herb and approached the giant cat.  Waving the bunches before the Kelberoth, it soon caught the scent, and began wagging its tail.  Offering the herb to the beast, it rolled over upon its back started to chomp on its treat.  The bell was easily extracted from the collar while the humongous cat lay there on its back, enjoying its catnip-induced reverie.
 Returning triumphantly, the youngest son handed the bell to his overjoyed father.
 "You have learned well, my son!  Our family dojo will be in good hands, for in your travels you have learned well the lesson at the heart of our faimly's teachings:

If you walk a narrow path, you may find yourself unable to see the full horizon before you."

  The End

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