//------------------------------// // The One-Eyed Disciple // Story: The Grand Illusion and Other Short Stories of Pony Wisdom // by Knowledge //------------------------------// Equus Bravo - Minos Peninsula - Hornenthia - Iron Will’s Dojo Minotaurs all know of the strong and wise teacher called Iron Hoof who lives in Hornenthia. One day, a middle-aged Iron Hoof inspected his image in a mirror he bought. Originally, he had intended to practice some catchy one-liners for his motivational speaking tour. “Is it me or the mirror?” the wise teacher asked his one-eyed disciple, gesturing to his less than flattering image in the mirror. “Master Iron Will, I will be doing the morning gardening,” the one-eyed disciple stated. There was no way he was going to answer that question. The teacher waved his disciple off. A few minutes later, a young minotaur entered the dojo. “Great Master Iron Will, I have come to you to become your disciple,” the youth said. “I would be happy to teach you young bull. As I always say, those ready to learn are worth one hundred unwilling students. However, before I take you on, please talk to my disciple in the garden out back. You may speak to him in any language you please as he is quite verse in foreign languages.” The youth nodded and charged in the back of the dojo while Iron Will continued debating with his mirror image. Like he always said, your greatest enemy is yourself. Overcome that, and you can overcome the world. The minotaur met the one-eyed disciple in the garden. She wanted to impress Iron Will so decided to use sign language, which was an obscure language only used by races with hands or dexterous claws. Since the disciple and she were both minotaurs, they both could use sign language. After getting the disciple’s attention, the youth put up one finger. The disciple responded with two. She countered with three, which he came back with a fist. Wide-eyed, the youth ran back into the dojo. “Master, Master!” the youth exclaimed. “What is it, young taur?” Iron Hoof inquired. “I have severely overestimated my readiness to learn under you, for the minotaur who is already your disciple is far wiser than I.” “This is unexpected. Explain.” “I had intended to impress you so I communicated to him in sign language. First I put up a single finger, representing the body of Europa. He responded with two fingers for the Law of Europa. I countered him with three fingers for the cosmic being of Europa, who is in all things. I had thought him beat, but he immediately responds with a closed hand, representing that they are all one. I was so humbled by his wisdom and, by extension, yours that I have to meditate on the error of my ways as I wander the Peninsula.” The youthful minotaur promptly left Iron Will’s dojo before the one-eyed disciple could come in. He had to clean up and put away some tools before entering the dojo, which is why he took so long. “Master, Master!” the disciple exclaimed. “What is it, young taur?” Iron Hoof inquired. “I have had my patience severely tried this day, for the minotaur who came to me has insulted me.” “This is unexpected. Explain.” “The minotaur came to me holding up one finger, pointing out my one eye. I put up two, congratulating her on having two. She then dare put up three fingers, emphasizing there are three eyes among us. I put up my fist to fight, but she runs off, the coward. I hope you sent her off so that she may meditate on the error of her ways.” “You could say that.” “Good. I must return to my gardening. Have a good afternoon, Master.” Iron Will sighed as his disciple left once again. He stared at his mirror image and said: “It must be the mirror.” The minotaur punched right through it, deciding to feel much better about himself.