The Karate Kid Part 2

Right after Sebastian tried his first karate class on Saturday, I had a little chat with him.

"Remember," I said, "you never use karate or go 'hi-ya!' on any person - unless they're a bad person trying to grab you. But that will never be me or Mamma or anyone you know. And don't use it on the cats, either, or on ANY LIVING THING! Do you understand?"

He nodded and said "Yes."

Later that day my parents came over, bringing an Easter basket for him. Sebastian was very excited and happy to see them. Soon after they arrived he went over to our old cat, Baby, chopped the air about a foot above him and shouted "Hi-ya!"

My eyes bugged out and my mouth dropped open. He saw me, and I could see the realization of what he had just done hit him hard. His face completely crumpled, and he burst into tears. He ran towards me and threw himself on the couch next to me, burying his face between my side and the back of the couch.

I could hear him sobbing out that he wouldn't really have hit Baby.

"I know, baby boy," I said, "I know you wouldn't have hurt him."

"No, you don't believe me!" he cried again and again.

I tried to comfort him, but it took a long time before he calmed down.

The Karate Kid Part 2

Right after Sebastian tried his first karate class on Saturday, I had a little chat with him.

"Remember," I said, "you never use karate or go 'hi-ya!' on any person - unless they're a bad person trying to grab you. But that will never be me or Mamma or anyone you know. And don't use it on the cats, either, or on ANY LIVING THING! Do you understand?"

He nodded and said "Yes."

Later that day my parents came over, bringing an Easter basket for him. Sebastian was very excited and happy to see them. Soon after they arrived he went over to our old cat, Baby, chopped the air about a foot above him and shouted "Hi-ya!"

My eyes bugged out and my mouth dropped open. He saw me, and I could see the realization of what he had just done hit him hard. His face completely crumpled, and he burst into tears. He ran towards me and threw himself on the couch next to me, burying his face between my side and the back of the couch.

I could hear him sobbing out that he wouldn't really have hit Baby.

"I know, baby boy," I said, "I know you wouldn't have hurt him."

"No, you don't believe me!" he cried again and again.

I tried to comfort him, but it took a long time before he calmed down.