Matayuro Yagyu was the son of a famous swordsman. His father, realizing that his son’s work was too mediocre to be expected to excel, disowned him. Then Matayuro went to Mount Futara and here he found the famous swordsman Banjo. But Banjo confirmed his father's opinion.
“Do you want to learn the art of fencing under my guidance?” - Banjo asked. - You don't meet my requirements.
“But if I try really hard, in how many years can I become a master?” - the young man insisted.
“You will need the rest of your life,” Banjo replied.
“I can’t wait that long,” Matayuro explained. “I agree to work day and night if you only agree to teach me.” If I become your trusted servant, how long will it take?
“Oh, maybe ten years,” Banjo softened.
“My father is old, and soon I will have to take care of him,” continued Matayuro. — If I work even harder, how long will it take?
“Oh, maybe thirty years,” said Banjo.
- How so? - asked Matayuro. - First you said ten, and now thirty? I am ready to endure any teaching just to learn this skill in the shortest possible time.
“In that case,” said Banjo, “you must stay with me for seventy years.” A person who is in such a hurry to achieve results rarely learns quickly.
“Okay,” said the young man, finally realizing that he had been reproached for his inconsistency. - I agree.
The master suggested that Matayuro never talk about fencing and never touch the rapier.
He cooked the teacher's food, washed the dishes, made his bed, swept the yard, tended the garden and never mentioned fencing.
Three years have passed. Matayuro was still working. Thinking about his future, he became sadder. He had not yet even begun to study the art to which he dedicated his life.
But one day Banjo sneaked up behind him and hit him terribly hard with a wooden rapier.
The next day, while Matayuro was cooking rice, Banjo again unexpectedly attacked him.
After this, day and night, Matayuro had to be ready to defend against unexpected attacks. Not a minute passed that he did not think about Banjo's rapier attack.
He learned so quickly that he brought a smile to his teacher's face. Matayuro became the country's greatest swordsman.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru