The Immortal Words of Kung Fu Panda

Although Kung Fu Panda didn't win Oscar this year for the Best Animated Picture Award, it is the best in my heart. Here are two of my favorite episodes. What can I say? It's real classic! Also check out their website, it's super fun!






[After the first day of Kung Fu training, Panda was physically hurt with blacks and blues everywhere. Furthermore, he was really, really frustrated. Weeping alone while eating peaches in a remote corner of their training ground, he felt hopeless and helpless. Master Wugui (the tortoise) saw him and offered much-needed comfort and encouragement.]

Master Wugui: I see you like to eat when you are upset. So, why are you upset?

Panda: Today I probably sucked more than anyone else in the history of Kung Fu, in the history of China, and in the history of sucking!

Master Wugui: Probably.

Panda: And the Furious Five (Master Shifu’s other students—Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane). Man, you should see, they totally hate me.

Master Wugui: Totally.

Panda: How’s Master Shifu ever going to turn me into the Dragon Warrior? I’m not like them (the Furious Five). I’ve got no claws, no wings, no nothing, even viper has his thingie. Maybe I should just quit and go back to make noodles.

Master Wugui: Quit, don’t quit. Noodles, don’t noodles. You’re too concerned with what was and what will be. There is a saying: Yesterday is a history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it’s called present…


Here’s another one of my favorite episodes:



[After Master Shifu (the red panda) heard the news that Tailung had broken out of prison for revenge to the Valley of Peace, he rushed to Master Wugui for rescue, who was meditating under a peach tree. (Tailung, the snow leopard, Master Shifu’s former pupil and foster-son who turned evil after Master Wugui refused to appoint him as the Dragon Warrior because Master Wugui saw darkness in his heart)]

Master Shifu: Master Wugui, I have some very bad news!

Master Wugui: aah, Shifu. There’s just news. There’s no good or bad.

Master Shifu: Master, your vision was right. Tailung has broken out of prison and he is on his way! (Earlier, Master Wugui envisioned that Tailung would return. He then appointed the Panda as the Dragon Warrior to defeat Tailung)

Master Wugui: Aa… that is bad news, if you don’t believe that the Dragon Warrior can stop him.

Master Shifu: The Panda? Master, that Panda is NOT the Dragon Warrior! He wasn’t even meant to be there. That was an accident!

Master Wugui: There ARE no accidents.

Master Shifu: Yes, I know, I know. You said it already, twice.

Master Wugui: Well, that was no accident either. My friend, the Panda will never fulfill his destiny, nor yours until you let go of the illusion of control.

Master Shifu: Illusion?

Master Wugui: Yes… Look at this tree. I can’t make it blossom when it suits me, nor make it bear fruits before it’s time.

Master Shifu: But there are things that we can control. I can control when the fruit will fall. [Master Shifu kicked the tree. Some peaches fell down, one of which hit right onto his head.] I can control where to plant the seed. [Master Shifu stamped his foot onto the ground and dug a hole. He then put the seed into the hole.] That is not illusion, Master!

Master Wugui: Yes. But no matter what you do, that seed will grow up into a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you’ll get a peach.

Master Shifu: But the peach cannot defeat Tailung!

Master Wugui: Maybe it can, if you’re willing to guide it, to nurture it and to believe in it…

Master Shifu: But how? How? I need your help!

Master Wugui: No, you just need to believe in it… My time is up in this world. I’ll have to go. Promise me, Shifu, Promise me. You will believe…


[After his last words, Master Wugui disappeared into the air. Petals of peach flowers gracefully swirled down from the tree onto the ground.]

米国欢迎尔？Welcome to America!?!...

So, I’m fresh off the boat, well, actually off the plane. But whatever I’m off from, I am a freshman to America. And that is for sure.

Even before I left Egypt, friends in the US had already written to me and the subject of their emails was unsurprisingly all the same—Welcome to America! The only difference is that some used one exclamation mark, others used three and still another used up to six! I knew the “legendary” America is not all about exclamation marks, but I didn’t really know what other punctuations I may use to describe it.

On my flight to DC, the girl sitting next to me gave me an exclamation mark. I learned from her that when it comes to dealing with America, I first need to have the right attitude, i.e. be positive, open-minded and perseverant.

However, once I’ve landed on America, the landlady on whom I originally hoped to practice the right attitude gave me a big question mark, actually many question marks. No matter how polite and considerate I was to her, she simply threw my food out of the fridge. And once I told her I wanted to leave, she threw more at me— hysteria, mean language, lawsuit threat, you name it. The only thing she didn’t throw at me was my deposit money, even after I left.

Then as I wandered on the streets, feeling completely homeless, some other people extended a helping hand. Now I’ve found a new place. So, America is back to exclamation mark again.

I don’t really like this roller-coaster way of life. My personal favorite is ellipsis—the three tiny, little dots that carry big, gigantic meanings. It’s serene. It’s soothing and it’s everlasting. It’s without boundaries, but it’s full of imaginations.

Therefore, I made a wish. I hope my journey in America can be just as simple as the three little dots…