0:00.51Master Poe's Dance with Curiosity

0:06.25Master Poe was near invincible, immortal.

0:11.75I say this as it was all he ever demonstrated.

0:16.03Supreme power.

0:18.41He did, however, carry a scar above his left eye exactly an inch and a half long.

0:30.39scratch, it confused every student as to what was powerful enough to mark him for life. It was often a topic of conversation amongst the students, but never discussed once by the ruling priests and monks.

0:47.02There was one old priest with a more friendly demeanor than the others. His name was Zhang Tao. One rainy afternoon as I was sweeping the courtyard, he came out to enjoy some damp air. In the rare moment for secluded conversation, I decided to ask him what happened to Master Po.

1:06.64Master Tao, I started. He continued to look off into the distance and breathe deeply.

1:16.50identify from staring at the side of his face. What happened to Master Poe? The mark. What on earth has the power to mark him so?

1:30.65There was no reason to explain which mark I meant. It was the only scar on his body.

1:37.11Zhang seemed to have no problem in answering me, which was surprising considering the topic had been taboo for all of my 800 years atop Houdan.

1:47.29Master Po was once young. Like you. And very much like you. He was very curious.

1:59.49back to me and continued to admire the gray sky. The turning of his back was final. I knew from his action there was nothing else he would tell me.

2:11.41Like me.

2:13.20I thought.

2:14.51Master Pell?

2:16.52I don't understand.

2:20.62I decided I had to know more. And as I was likely to be severely reprimanded for asking any of the monks in the temple,

2:28.02I might as well gather the courage to ask Master Po himself. Four months later I was practicing crane style.

2:36.75Master Poe left his quarters to sit upon a log in the garden and watched me study. He seemed pleased with my technique, a rarity. Considering this very rare positive mood,

2:50.31I decided to take this opportunity to ask him as respectfully as I could. I completed my forms, walked over to him and bowed. "Master, forgive me.

3:03.26"But tell me, what scarred you for life above your left eye?" I said, while looking at the ground.

3:10.38Bye.

3:11.30you

3:12.14He paused for a few seconds, produced a cane from under his robe and struck me. I felt blood begin to run down my face.

3:22.92It left a scar exactly an inch and a half long above my left eye, a scar I still carry to this day.

3:31.16Curiosity, he replied.

3:37.80Such is the way of Udan.

3:42.12.