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Hello. Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called Talk Some Sensei, an adaptation of an Asian fable written for you by Daniel Hines. We have Stories podcast merch, available@storiespodcast.com shop. We're also on Cameo for all of your personalized video message needs. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram oriespodcast. If you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed. Now here's a word from our sponsors. IXL adapts to your child's level and gives them the right challenge at the right time. Whether your child is reviewing third grade math or jumping into sixth grade reading, IXL meets them where they are and lets them move at their own pace. And it keeps kids motivated between the awards, challenges and little moments of celebration. IXL makes it easy to keep learning light and engaging. Over 15 million students use IXL and more than 75 research studies show it actually works. 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Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kids safe with no ads in app purchases or mature content, Next Playground is your feel good solution to those long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's n-e xplayground.com to explore active family gaming today. Thanks Enjoy the episode. Talk some Sensei Once upon a time there was an old monk who lived in a little town nestled in the heart of Asia. He was a wise old man who had served at a temple for many years and now lived alone, helping the village as he could, and the town loved him. He was kind and quiet and always had wise advice. Everything in the town would have been perfect, but they did have one big problem. They were on the border of barbarian territory. The barbarians were another group of people, big and strong and riding on huge wild horses. Every so often, the barbarians would ride in on those big wild horses and steal everything they could. The monk didn't keep much, but the others in the town were always on the lookout. The monk wasn't alone. He had adopted a boy whose parents had been lost in the war. The boy's name was Tomo, and he and the monk were great friends. The monk taught him to read and write, and Tomo helped the old monk keep his garden tended and the house in order. And one morning the monk woke up late. He stretched and had a cup of tea and then walked out into the garden, calling for Sodashi, his pet horse. Soda, he called, using his horse's nickname. Soda, where are you? Come now. We need to take a ride to the village. Most mornings the horse would come trotting around the side of the house. He had a little stable out back that the monk kept unlocked because the horse was well trained. It was a reliable old horse with chestnut fur and a stubby blond mane. Soda. The monk called, but the horse didn't come. Finally, his son Tomo came running around the side of the house. Sensei, he said, which is a title of respect for a teacher or elder. Sort of like calling someone sir. The horse has run off. What? Said the monk, looking at his wild eyed boy. He would never Some lady horses from the barbarian lands ran by, Tomo said, eyes wide. Soda took off after them. He's in the barbarian lands now. I tried to catch him, but I can't outrun a horse. The monk sighed and nodded slowly. If his horse had run away to barbarian lands, then he was almost certainly gone for good. The barbarians stole horses and added them to their giant herds and then rode away again. That's okay, Tomo, the monk said. How can it be okay? Asked Tomo. We need Tomo to get around and he helps me pull things in the garden. It'll be okay, said the monk. It's not worth being upset about something that we can't change. You have to just keep on living your life and trying your best. Tomo nodded and accepted this. He was a good student and believed in his adopted father's wisdom. Others around town didn't share their attitude, though. When the monk walked into town, the townsfolk called out to him, you've lost your horse. Sorry for your loss. Hope you can still get by. But to all of this, the monk only smiled and waved. It is not for me to say what is good or bad in the moment, he said again. I can only live my best, try my best, and we'll see what happens. The people nodded, even if they disagreed, because the monk was wise and his attitude was kindly, even if they thought it was a little silly. The next morning, the monk had hardly opened his eyes when he heard shouting from outside his house. At first he thought he was still dreaming, but the sound got louder. It was Tomo and others. A crowd and stomping. The monk couldn't figure out what in the world might be going on, so he threw on his clothes and stumbled out into the early morning. He found Tomo and a group of townsfolk gathered in his back garden. What's going on? He asked with a wide smile. Is there a party at my house? And no one thought to invite me? Sensei, said Tomo, pushing through the crowd and pulling the monk through. It's a wonder. It's a miracle. Come and see. The monk walked through the crowd and he saw his horse, Soda. The horse was back in the stable and sleeping peacefully. Well, I'm glad Soda is back, the monk said. But does that really call for all this commotion? Sensei. Everyone move. Tomo shouted. Finally, the crowd pulled back and the monk saw five beautiful horses ranging from pure white to satiny black. When Soda came back from the barbarian lands, he was leading these other horses. Instead of one horse, we now have six again. The townsfolk called out to him. I bet you're feeling lucky. What a stroke of fortune. Why aren't you more excited? This is amazing for you. The monk only shook his head and smiled. This is good because personally, I am happy to see my friend Soda again. But it's not a good use of time to compare one day to another. I can only act right, do my best and see what happens. The townsfolk knew the monk was always level headed, but they thought he'd be happier about the windfall of new horses. Even Tomo seemed surprised the monk didn't react more. Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of the story after this. If you'd like Stories podcast and other favorite kid podcasts added subscribe to Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts. But the monk knew the world would keep spinning and the results were always up in the air. And of course, he was proven right. Once more. Because the next day Tomo came to the monk early in the morning, full of energy and dressed in his riding clothes. Good morning, Sensei, he said. I made breakfast for you. It's on the stove. I'll be heading out for the day, but I should be back by dinner. All day? Asked the monk. What are you leaving to do that takes all day, Tomo. Well, I was thinking about those new horses, the young man said, and they're young and strong, but they don't always listen. And they're a little wild. I know some people like that, the monk said with a wink. Tomo blushed but kept going. Well, yeah, but anyway, I thought I would train them to take the saddle and be ridden. You want to tame the horses? Asked the monk. Do you think you can do it? I can do it, Sensei, Tomo said. Let me take the smallest one to the upper fields and spend the day with him. I bet I can get him friendly by dusk. Ok then, said the monk. Take your time and be careful. Though even the smaller barbarian horses grew up wild on the plains, they've never felt a saddle, and they won't like it at first. I'll be careful, promised Tomo. Then go, said the monk, smiling as Tomo burst out of the door. The monk didn't say it, but he planned on letting Tomo take all five of the new horses when he was old enough to move out on his own. He'd been a wonderful adopted son, student, and friend, and the monk was glad he could give Tomo a gift. The monk spent the day reading and took a nice little trip into town to have a cup of tea with a few other old timers. He was home before dinner and was just stoking the stove when he heard screaming from down the road. Help. He heard a young man shout, Doctor. We need a doctor. And that was followed by a different voice giving an agonized oh of pain. And the monk recognized the second voice all too well. Tomo. He shouted, standing up so fast he knocked over his side table. Tomo. He pulled open the front door and ran into the street. There he saw Tomo being helped off the back of his friend's horse. The doctor guided him onto a stretcher, and then a few strong men from town carried him towards the doctor's office. Tomo. The monk cried again, getting close. Is my boy okay, Sensei? Tomo said from the stretcher. The monk crossed to him and took his hand. I'm okay. But Tomo didn't look okay. He was white and pale and Worst of all, his left leg stuck out at an unnatural angle. What happened? Asked the monk. I fell off the horse, Tomo said. Broke my leg. But the doctor said he can set it right. I'll be good as new in a few months. In the meantime, I'm afraid I won't be much use pulling weeds. The monk smiled and gave Tomo a hug. Off to the doctor with you, then, he said. And don't worry about the weeds. I'm not that old yet. Enough chatter, the doctor said. All professional. Take Tomo to my office. Quick now, boys. They carried Tomo away, and the other townsfolk came to the monk again. They all called out to him. What a stroke of bad luck. A terrible day. A terrible thing all around. But the monk only smiled and shook his head. Good or bad? It's not for me to say. I'm sad he got hurt, but I'm happy it wasn't worse. As for the injury, it will heal. And what will come, will come. The townspeople thought that was extra strange. After all, a broken leg was always bad, right? What could the monk be thinking? But they learned sooner than they'd like. A week later, a terrible war broke out. The barbarians attacked many peaceful towns, stealing all of their food and horses. And. And the emperor needed an army to go fight them. The people knew it was going to be dangerous. The barbarians were great fighters, and they'd need a large army to have a chance. So to fill out the ranks of the army, the emperor sent soldiers from town to town. They made every healthy boy join up. When they came to the monk's home, they saw Tomo with his broken leg and left him. They said he could join in another six months. When they came back through, Tomo was a little disappointed. But the monk reminded him not to be upset about things he can't control, and Tomo calmed a bit. They got word a couple of weeks later that their army had been destroyed by the barbarians. If Tomo had gone with them, he would have been lost or taken prisoner. His broken leg had saved him after all. At this point, the other townsfolk didn't even bother coming to see the monk. They wanted to congratulate him on his luck that his boy happened to be injured. But they knew what he'd say. Good or bad, it isn't worth the thought. Enjoy the good, move past the bad without dwelling. Life goes on, and things keep changing. You just have to do your best and make your plans and not get too upset when the world interferes. And by this point, they were starting to see the wisdom in that. The end. Here are some questions to talk about with your grown ups. Have you ever dwelled on something bad that happened to you? What's something you can do to get it off your mind? Today's story, Talksum Sensei was an adaptation of an Asian fable written for you by Daniel Hines, edited and produced for you by Ellie Hynes, and performed for you by me, Amanda Wang Eldon. If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can leave us a five star review on itunes. Check out all of our merch available at storiespodcast. Com, Shop commission a special video on Cameo. Follow us on Instagram at Stories Podcast or simply tell your friends about us. Thanks for listening.