Adventures of Master Toddy

It is 5:40 p.m., typical Wednesday afternoon at Master Toddy’s Muay Thai Academy. In the far left ring a dozen Muay Thai students, dressed in the traditional uniform, wearing shin guards and boxing gloves, listen attentively as Master Lookchang gives a demonstration on executing a proper roundhouse kick. In the middle ring more than twenty energetic children are instructed to do jumping jacks under the teaching of Master Jason and Master Dayel. In the front ring, Master Toddy’s up and coming fighters are drenched with sweat as they train to perfect instructed techniques. As the hour approaches six, the final exercises are now being given to all the students.
The entire gym is drowned with the recording of familiar Thai training music that is played repeatedly. Master Lookchang yells “Cobra ready,” to the students as he waves a plastic bat in the air to motivate his students to work harder. The children in the center ring respond, “Yes sir,” after each exercise Master Jason and Master Dayel command. The Fight Team still highly focused and concentrated on each other to finish the final round.
The air is thick with hungry students all wanting to become the next world champion. Master Toddy oversees the entire orchestration of his gym and was pleased. Walking around, Master Toddy gives advice from his decades of experience to all his students.
The class concluded with the students bowing and saying, “Sawaddee Krup,” to pay respect to their teachers.
Master Toddy walks into his office and begins to gather his belongings to retire for the evening. Reading a couple of last minute e-mails he hears his stomach growling. Shortly after, he received a phone call from world renowned Taekwondo Master, William Clark.
The two exchanged conservation about life, family and weather. Then Master Clark began to discuss the reason of his call.

“I am holding a seminar from July 16-21 here in Jacksonville, Florida and I’m inviting you to attend,” said Master Clark. “You would have the opportunity to teach 15 other instructors to qualify to teach Muay Thai.”
Flattered by the invitation, Master Toddy was tired of traveling and attending seminars. After careful formulation he was ready to decline, but before he was allowed to speak, Master Clark said the magic words.
“Behind my home there is a river and after the seminar we can go fishing.”
Suddenly forgetting his fatigue and his hunger, Master Toddy removed his glasses and instantly responded, “I would be happy to go.”
Quite the fisherman, Master Toddy was consumed with excitement. “The seminar won’t be that bad, at least I can fish after,” he thought.
On the five hour flight to Jacksonville, Master Toddy daydreamed of the vast amounts of fish he would catch. Ideas would run through his head. “I wonder how big the fish are in Florida. I hope there are not too many people fishing. I am not sharing my fish with Master Clark.”

Once in Jacksonville, the seminar was extremely long, yet surprising meaningful. From morning until evening Master Toddy would go over exercises and applications. He was praised and honored but the greatest accomplishment was the commendation from Master Clark.
For the past 20 years, Master Clark built his empire in Taekwondo and currently runs Karate America academy, with over 10,000 students enrolled. After the seminar with Master Toddy, he incorporated the Muay Thai curriculum in over 30 of his schools throughout the US.

On the final day, the sun began to rise and Master Toddy eager to get down to the lake impatiently check his watch waiting for Master Clark to awaken.
It was 9 a.m. and the duo started their adventure. The morning was a cool 80 degrees with a bit of humidity but none- the- less perfect fishing weather.

Behind Master Clark’s house was a secluded river that few people knew about. To reach it, you had to walk down a narrow stairway that descended far below anyone could see. Master Toddy raced down the stairs with his fishing rod in one hand and a bucket in the other speeding by Master Clark who now had to walk down the path alone.
“Now my fun can begin,” Master Toddy thought as he places the line in the water.
“I catch fish here all the time,” said Master Clark as he threw in his line.
“Good, I hope I have enough room to bring all the fish home.”
The first hour went by and the two were laughing and exchanging stories of their martial arts experiences and learned that they had a lot in common. They were enjoying each other’s company and did not realize that they had not caught anything.
The second hour passed, still no fish. The conversation did not pass as freely but they were both still optimistic. Master Toddy checked his line every so often just to make sure that the bait was still attached to the line. “The fish will strike any minute,” Master Clark said confidently. The two continued to wait patiently.

The hot Florida sun was now beating down on their skin as the day approached noon. It was hour three and still no fish. The two, now barely exchanging any words focused all of their attention to the water. Master Clark trying to brighten up the day resorted to joke telling. Master Toddy shakes his head and develops a slight annoyance as he recalls the promise of the infinite amounts of fish in the river.
“I just want to catch one,” thought Master Toddy.

In fourth and final hour the two were completely separated. Master Toddy decided to skip rocks to break him from his boredom. Master Clark sat on a rock and stared blankly off in the distance. Sadly, with no fish in their possession the men agreed to call it a day.
Tired and defeated, the two Masters were thankful that that experience is over. Now it was time to enjoy a long nap and a refreshing drink, not before they had to climb the stairway that almost reached to the heavens.
A sigh was released from Master Clark as he looked at Master Toddy and said, “Ready?”
With a fake smile and a forced laugh Master Toddy began up the stairs, each step becoming more difficult to climb than the previous. Both men, who were active and healthy had to stop numerous times to catch their breath.
“This is never going to end,” Master Toddy thought.
Finally, just shy of an hour they reached the top. Master Toddy a little disheartened seeing his empty bucket hurried to his room to rest.
The next morning, Master Clark dropped off Master Toddy at the airport.
“The next time you come, I guarantee there will be more fish for you. I will take you to other places that I know of,” said Master Clark.
“That sounds great. It was fun anyway. I am looking forward for the next time!” responded Master Toddy.
The two agreed they would one day fish again; they exchanged handshakes and bid their farewells.
The plane was ready for take off, Master Toddy buckled his seatbelt, reclined his chair, closed his eyes and said, “I am never going fishing with Clark again.”