Daniel Catches Fly

	Why was it everything Mr. Miyagi said seemed so simple, thought Daniel. How could catching a fly with chopsticks mean so much? Daniel realized that the purpose wasn't to be victor over the fly, but to be victor over one's own weakness. Simple. Sort of.

	"Ever catch one?" Daniel asked.

	"Not yet."

	"Can I try?"

	Mr. Miyagi nodded to indicate another pair of chopsticks. Daniel took them and sat down cross-legged on the floor. He tried holding the chopsticks, but it was awkward at first. He'd always had trouble doing this to eat fried rice, and he wondered why he thought he could catch a fly with chopsticks. After a few minutes, though, he found that he could manipulate them — a bit. Then he began looking for a fly. Mr. Miyagi glanced at him from the corner of his eye, then turned his attention back to his own chopsticks.

	Snap! Nothing.

	Daniel watched as a fly approached him. Three feet, five feet, four feet, too high. Now closer, now closer, three feet, two-and-a-half, two -

	Snap!

	There, caught between Daniel's chopsticks, was a squirming fly.

	Mr. Miyagi laid his own chopsticks down and stood up.

	"Hey! Look at that, Mr. Miyagi, huh? Not bad for a kid from Newark!"

	Miffed, Mr. Miyagi grunted, "Beginner's luck," and walked to the door. Daniel grabbed an imaginary telephone with his free hand.

	"Hello?" he said. "Yes, sir. Ah, yes, sir. He's right here, sir. All right, sir." He cradled the phone and addressed the struggling fly.

	"Okay, you're in luck. That was the governor. You got a reprieve — just in time, I might add.' He stood and, still holding the fly, walked to the door. "Now, go on," he said to the fly. "No more in the house." He released his captive and walked over to Mr. Miyagi.

	"Hey, Mr. Miyagi. Does that mean I can accomplish anything?"

- The Karate Kid (1984) Chapter 16