Chapter 5

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Chapter 5 The next morning Toph began Aang's Earthbending lessons. "Good morning, Sifu Toph!" "Hey, you never call me Sifu Katara!" "Well, if you think I should…" What does that mean? Doesn't he think I deserve the title? Maybe he doesn't think I'm a good enough teacher… but everything he knows he learned from me! And Toph hasn't taught him one move yet. What do I have to do to make him see that I deserve it too? Maybe in order to prove that I really am a master, and a teacher, I have to behave like one. Hmm… I'm sure after a day of lessons with Toph, he'll realize how lucky he is to have Sifu Katara teaching him Waterbending.… "Maybe if I came at the boulder from a different angle—," Aang suggested. "No, Aang, that's the problem," Toph said angrily. "You've got to stop thinking like an Airbender. There's no different angle or tricky solution. You've

got to face the rock head-on." Aang looks pretty freaked out. After teaching him for over a year, I know exactly what he does and doesn't respond well to, and yelling and bullying don't work. I think Toph could use some help from Sifu Katara.… "I've been training Aang for a while now, Toph. He really responds well to kind words, praise, encouragement." Exactly, just show them that you know what you're talking about. They'll respect your knowledge. "Thanks, Katara. I'll try that." See! It worked. I guess I'll head back to the camp. I'm glad I can make Aang's training easier. And if he realizes what a great teacher I am in the process, well that's fine too! Okay, so I left Aang and Toph alone for a while, but I'm just too curious. I'm also concerned about how Toph is handling Aang. I have to go back and check in again. "This time, instead of trying to move a rock, you're going to stop a rock," Toph shouted. "Get in your horse stance!" I wish she wouldn't yell at him like that. He really

does do better with positive encouragement. Now Toph's pointing to a large boulder that's on top of a cliff. Aang's at the bottom. "I'm going to roll that boulder down at you. If you have the attitude of an Earthbender, you'll stay in your stance and stop the rock." This is crazy! Aang isn't ready for this. Toph's pushing him too fast, and he could really get hurt. "Sorry, Toph, but are you sure this is the best way to teach Aang Earthbending?" "I'm glad you said something, Katara. Actually, there is a better way." See, she listened again. Even Aang is smiling from relief. If I haven't proven myself worthy of the title Sifu Katara by now, then I don't know what will earn it for me. They obviously both respect my teaching abilities. Maybe Toph'll slow down a bit and– What's she doing? She's putting a blindfold over Aang's eyes. What good will THAT do? That is certainly NOT what I implied when I made my comment! She's a real sneak, that Toph. "Now you'll have to sense the vibrations of the boulder to stop it. Thank you, Katara." Now she's making fun of me. She thinks I'm meddling, but I only have Aang's best interests in mind. And I still think my methods are better!

"Yeah," Aang said, obviously unhappy. "Thanks, Katara." Now Aang's annoyed at me. Why does Toph have to twist everything I say? She is so infuriating.… Why does she bother me so much? We're not competing for his attention or anything. Aang and I still have a special connection. He doesn't have to call me Sifu Katara. We're too close for such formal titles. Boy, here we go. The boulder's rolling. It's huge and it's heading right for him. He's not experienced enough to stop it. This is too advanced. He's going to be crushed! No, he's leaping out of the way. Phew! I knew he wasn't ready for this. She really should have listened to me. "I guess I just panicked," Aang said, removing his blindfold. "I don't know what to say." "There's nothing to say," Toph yelled, getting in Aang's face. "You blew it. You had perfect form, but when it came right down to it you didn't have the guts. Now, do you have what it takes to face that rock like an Earthbender?" "No," Aang said sadly. "I don't think I do." This is terrible. Screaming and humiliating him is no way to teach. All she's doing is breaking his spirit, not making him a better bender. I have to do

something. "Aang, it's no big deal. Take a break, and try again when you're ready. We still have a lot of Waterbending to work on. Okay?" "Yeah, that sounds good," Aang replied. "Yeah, whatever!" Toph shouted after us. "Go splash around until you feel better." She is so insensitive. And she's a horrible teacher! Sifu Toph–ha, what a joke! "You know this block you're having is only temporary, right?" I told him. "I don't want to talk about it!" Aang yelled. "You have to face the issue instead of avoiding it. That's the Earthbender way." "I know I need to face it head-on, like a rock. But I just can't do it and I don't know why!" I know why. "Aang, if fire and water are opposites, then what's the opposite of air?" "Earth, I guess." "And that's why Earthbending is so hard for you; it's your natural opposite. But you'll figure it out. I'm sure of it." He seems calmer. Now for a confidence booster. I'll just fling this reed at and him and–"Quick, cut it in half! "Excellent, Aang. You have the reflexes of a