The pebble from the masters hand

There was a Magic card draft tournament at Acorn the other day.  11 players all adults except Rowan (age 15) and Willow (who just turned 10).  Several packages of cards are opened and passed around and players take cards and build Magic card decks for playing in that evenings tournament.  Sky and i were both building our first decks and after 3 rounds of 3 games with 3 players each, we were tie for last place, but both of us were thrilled with the event and it’s outcome.  Because we share an ego which is larger than just ourselves.

Willow came in second, behind Abe from Acorn, who is an undisputed Magic game god.  So Willow won amongst the mortals.  Willow beat both Gpaul and Spot, who are excellent players.  And most importantly, it is Spot who is teaching Willow how to build magic decks (which is quite complex and art-like).

There is a famous scene from the old TV show Kung Fu.  When the martial arts master hold the stone in his open hand and says to the young apprentice,

“when you can snatch this pebble from my hand you will be ready.”

Today our son has the pebble.