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"The Bamboo Farmer"
an inspiring story of faith and perseverance:
Once upon a time there was a farmer. He lived in a farming community and had farmed,
like his neighbors... for all of his life. As time passed by he became bored with farming
traditional crops, he still loved farming but felt unchallenged. So he set about the business
of researching alternative crops. Making a living and supporting his family was critical, so
he wanted to make sure he made a wise choice. Therefore, he began reading,
researching and speaking with experts with more knowledge than he before making his
final decision.
After studying a variety of options, he decided on Bamboo. The climate, soil conditions
and equipment at his disposal could make growing and harvesting bamboo a profitable
business. He was convinced he was making the wisest choice and began making the
changes needed to become a Bamboo Farmer.
Now remember, our farmer lived in a farming community. For generations his neighbors
had all grown traditional crops like corn and wheat. You can only imagine how the idea of
growing bamboo was received. Upon telling his fellow farmers his idea, they mocked him
calling him foolish, all the time warning him of his impending peril. They were unwilling to
accept change or progress. However, the farmer was unshaken, he had done extensive
research and was confident of his knowledge. He would not back down from the belief that
he could grow bamboo and even turn a substantial profit in the business.
Well, if you know anything about bamboo, you know that the first year it’s been planted...
nothing happens. You don’t get so much as a twig or a leaf! His neighbors were ruthless.
They had all harvested their crops while he had nothing at all to show for his efforts. He
was undaunted and confident in his knowledge. But wait, there’s more bad news. The
second year nothing happens either, not a sign of a bamboo tree anywhere. Again he was
forced to endure a second year of ridicule by his heartless neighbors. Still, he was
unshaken in his confidence.
The third year came...and guess what? Bamboo, everywhere bamboo. His crop grew a
foot a day! By the end of the summer he had a virtual bamboo forest. He harvested his
crop and sold it for a huge profit. His neighbors were astonished. In fact, several who had
once ridiculed him began to show interest in becoming bamboo farmers as well.
The farmer went on for many years enjoying the benefits of his new crop, bamboo. He and
his family enjoyed a very happy and successful life, unafraid of growth, progress or
change, confident and determined when facing challenges.
This story teaches us two lessons. First, when you have knowledge you have tremendous
power. Knowledge gives you confidence to pursue your dreams and goals...regardless of
what others think. Throughout history our most prolific leaders, inventors and
businessmen were very often the subject of ridicule by their peers. It was their faith and
single minded purposefulness that drove them to persevere and ultimately achieve their
dreams.
The second lesson is that just because we don’t see immediate progress, doesn’t mean
we should give up. The reason the bamboo tree doesn’t grow until the third season is
because it spends the first two years growing roots, building a foundation so that when it
is ready to grow it will have the stability to stand tall reaching tremendous heights. Without
those roots, the tree would fall over with the first strong wind. Had the farmer lost faith,
had he not had confidence in his knowledge, he might have tilled the crop under during
the first or second year and created disaster for himself and his family.
Results or benefits in a Martial Arts program may not be immediately visible either. While
some children respond almost instantly, others may need the full three years or more to
fully benefit from their classes. It’s critical that we allow the child to grow and develop at
their own pace. We must understand that although there may not appear to be any
changes on the outside, growth and progress is happening on the inside. We must be
patient, have confidence and persevere, (like our farmer did in the story.)
As for me, no matter how hard anyone tries to convince me otherwise...I’ll always believe
in the power and value of Martial Arts for children. We’ve seen hundreds of children grow
and develop both mentally and physically in our program. Many children who at first
appear lost, confused, scared or even indifferent have had tremendous success and I’m
proud to say..became Black Belts. Have faith and persevere! Be careful not to till the crop
under before it’s had a chance to grow it’s roots and climb toward the sky!
Sifu Joe Parker
an inspiring story of faith and perseverance:
Once upon a time there was a farmer. He lived in a farming community and had farmed,
like his neighbors... for all of his life. As time passed by he became bored with farming
traditional crops, he still loved farming but felt unchallenged. So he set about the business
of researching alternative crops. Making a living and supporting his family was critical, so
he wanted to make sure he made a wise choice. Therefore, he began reading,
researching and speaking with experts with more knowledge than he before making his
final decision.
After studying a variety of options, he decided on Bamboo. The climate, soil conditions
and equipment at his disposal could make growing and harvesting bamboo a profitable
business. He was convinced he was making the wisest choice and began making the
changes needed to become a Bamboo Farmer.
Now remember, our farmer lived in a farming community. For generations his neighbors
had all grown traditional crops like corn and wheat. You can only imagine how the idea of
growing bamboo was received. Upon telling his fellow farmers his idea, they mocked him
calling him foolish, all the time warning him of his impending peril. They were unwilling to
accept change or progress. However, the farmer was unshaken, he had done extensive
research and was confident of his knowledge. He would not back down from the belief that
he could grow bamboo and even turn a substantial profit in the business.
Well, if you know anything about bamboo, you know that the first year it’s been planted...
nothing happens. You don’t get so much as a twig or a leaf! His neighbors were ruthless.
They had all harvested their crops while he had nothing at all to show for his efforts. He
was undaunted and confident in his knowledge. But wait, there’s more bad news. The
second year nothing happens either, not a sign of a bamboo tree anywhere. Again he was
forced to endure a second year of ridicule by his heartless neighbors. Still, he was
unshaken in his confidence.
The third year came...and guess what? Bamboo, everywhere bamboo. His crop grew a
foot a day! By the end of the summer he had a virtual bamboo forest. He harvested his
crop and sold it for a huge profit. His neighbors were astonished. In fact, several who had
once ridiculed him began to show interest in becoming bamboo farmers as well.
The farmer went on for many years enjoying the benefits of his new crop, bamboo. He and
his family enjoyed a very happy and successful life, unafraid of growth, progress or
change, confident and determined when facing challenges.
This story teaches us two lessons. First, when you have knowledge you have tremendous
power. Knowledge gives you confidence to pursue your dreams and goals...regardless of
what others think. Throughout history our most prolific leaders, inventors and
businessmen were very often the subject of ridicule by their peers. It was their faith and
single minded purposefulness that drove them to persevere and ultimately achieve their
dreams.
The second lesson is that just because we don’t see immediate progress, doesn’t mean
we should give up. The reason the bamboo tree doesn’t grow until the third season is
because it spends the first two years growing roots, building a foundation so that when it
is ready to grow it will have the stability to stand tall reaching tremendous heights. Without
those roots, the tree would fall over with the first strong wind. Had the farmer lost faith,
had he not had confidence in his knowledge, he might have tilled the crop under during
the first or second year and created disaster for himself and his family.
Results or benefits in a Martial Arts program may not be immediately visible either. While
some children respond almost instantly, others may need the full three years or more to
fully benefit from their classes. It’s critical that we allow the child to grow and develop at
their own pace. We must understand that although there may not appear to be any
changes on the outside, growth and progress is happening on the inside. We must be
patient, have confidence and persevere, (like our farmer did in the story.)
As for me, no matter how hard anyone tries to convince me otherwise...I’ll always believe
in the power and value of Martial Arts for children. We’ve seen hundreds of children grow
and develop both mentally and physically in our program. Many children who at first
appear lost, confused, scared or even indifferent have had tremendous success and I’m
proud to say..became Black Belts. Have faith and persevere! Be careful not to till the crop
under before it’s had a chance to grow it’s roots and climb toward the sky!
Sifu Joe Parker
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