The Karate Belt Test
Amir loved karate. Every week, he practiced his punches, kicks, and katas with his classmates at the dojo. His dream was to earn his yellow belt, the first big step on his journey to becoming a black belt. But as the date of the belt test approached, Amir began to feel nervous.
“What if I forget my moves?” he asked his older sister, Leila, who had earned her black belt years ago.
Leila smiled and ruffled his hair. “Amir, you’ve practiced every week. The moves are already in you. All you need to do is trust yourself and focus. Close your eyes and imagine yourself performing perfectly.”
Encouraged by her words, Amir spent the next week practicing harder than ever. He stayed late after class to work on his stances and asked his instructor, Sensei Tanaka, for feedback on his form. The sensei reminded him that karate wasn’t just about the body—it was about the mind, too.
Finally, the day of the test arrived. Amir stood in line with the other students, his heart pounding as Sensei Tanaka called each student forward to demonstrate their skills. When Amir’s name was called, he stepped onto the mat, bowing deeply to the sensei.
“Show us your kata, Amir,” the sensei said.
Amir took a deep breath and began. At first, his moves were strong and steady, each punch and kick snapping into place. But halfway through the sequence, he hesitated, forgetting what came next. His hands began to sweat, and he glanced nervously at the sensei.
“Focus, Amir,” the sensei said gently. “Take your time.”
Amir closed his eyes and remembered Leila’s advice. He pictured himself practicing in the dojo, his movements flowing smoothly from one to the next. Slowly, the sequence came back to him. He opened his eyes and continued, finishing the kata with a loud kiai—a shout of energy—as he struck the final pose.
The room erupted in applause, and Amir felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had done it!
At the end of the test, Sensei Tanaka called Amir forward once more. He smiled as he tied the yellow belt around Amir’s waist. “You showed great focus and determination today. Well done, Amir.”
As Amir bowed, pride swelled in his chest. He realized that the key to success wasn’t just about knowing the moves—it was about staying calm and believing in himself. That night, he hung his yellow belt on his bedroom wall, a reminder of how far he had come.