The Broken Arrow

In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the smoke of war engulfed the entire Central Plains, and war became the norm of the society at that time. Against this backdrop, a father and his son set out together for battle. The father was an experienced general, while the son was a green recruit serving as a vanguard. They were both well aware of the brutality of war, yet they were also filled with a desire for victory. Before setting out, the father solemnly handed over a family heirloom, a magical arrow, to his son, hoping that this arrow would endow him with limitless power to dominate the battlefield.

The arrow case was meticulously crafted from sturdy cowhide, adorned with copper trim, and the arrow's feathered end was made from the finest peacock feathers, exquisitely beautiful. The son gazed at the magical arrow, brimming with anticipation and joy. He imagined the shape of the arrow shaft and head, as if he could already hear the sound of the arrow piercing through the sky and see the enemy commander fall to the ground. Wearing the magical arrow, he indeed displayed extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, winning resounding victories in every battle. As his victories mounted, the son's confidence grew, and his heart was filled with pride.

However, it was this pride that led the son, after one battle, to no longer be able to contain his impatience. He forgot his father's warning and eagerly pulled out the magical arrow to see what it was all about. But when he drew the arrow, he was stunned—the arrow was actually broken, and the arrow case contained only a snapped arrow. Fear surged through him instantly, as if all the beliefs that had supported him had collapsed suddenly, and he broke out in a cold sweat. Without an inner support, he lost his way in the subsequent battles and ultimately met a tragic end amidst the chaos of the troops.

After the smoke of war had cleared, the father picked up the broken arrow with a heavy heart, his eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow. He sighed, "One who does not believe in their own will can never become a general." This story is a profound revelation of human weakness and a deep reflection on individual destiny.

This story teaches us that it is foolish to place victory and happiness in external things and dangerous to entrust the core of life to others. True strength and victory lie not in external materialism or the help of others, but in the steadfastness of one's own inner self and the tempering of one's will. Only by oneself can one master one's own destiny; only through constant effort and self-transcendence can one achieve a hundred percent success and never fail on the battlefield of life. In this process, one must learn to think independently, face challenges bravely, and not be swayed by external temptations and fears, maintaining inner peace and firmness at all times. Only in this way can one truly become the master of one's own destiny.