Isabel



Isabel was the best bunjitsu artist in her school. She could kick higher than anyone. She could hit harder than anyone. She could throw her classmates farther than anyone.

Some were frightened of her. But Isabel never hurt another creature, unless she had to.

"Bunjitsu is not just about kicking, hitting, and throwing," she said. "It is about finding ways NOT to kick, hit, and throw."

They called her Bunjitsu Bunny.



Shadows

One day, Isabel and her brother, Max, sat in a field. "Look at our shadows on the rock," said Isabel.

"Let's see how well they know bunjitsu," said Max. Max kicked his foot in the air. His shadow kicked its foot in the air. Isabel blocked the kick. Isabel's shadow blocked the kick.

"This is fun!" said Isabel.

Max's and Isabel's shadows fought each other.

"My shadow has big teeth!" said Max.

Isabel laughed. "My shadow has big antlers!" she said.

"My shadow has wings and can fly!" said Max.

"My shadow can tickle your shadow so it can't fly." Isabel laughed again.

Max moved away from the rock. His shadow grew twice as large. "Now you have to fight a giant bear." Max's shadow pounded Isabel's shadow with great big paws. Isabel's shadow fell to the ground.

"My shadow has defeated the shadow of Bunjitsu Bunny!" said Max.

Isabel stood up and walked toward the rock.

"Now your shadow is like a little mouse," said Max.

"A quick little mouse," said Isabel.

Max's shadow tried to grab her shadow. Isabel's shadow darted away. Max's shadow tried to punch Isabel's shadow. Isabel's shadow darted away. Her little shadow was too quick for Max's shadow.

"I give up," said Max. "I thought being bigger and stronger would make me win."

"Sometimes," said Isabel. "But sometimes it's better to be a little mouse than a great big bear."



Copyright © 2015 by John Himmelman