Karate Keith

Keith was waiting with his fifth-grade class inside the gym. The physical Ed teacher was a little late, so they started playing around. Keith decided this was the perfect time to show his friends some of his latest karate tricks.... He could jump in the air, flip, and kick a ball! His amazing move impressed the entire class, and all his classmates came closer to watch him.

Keith was really popular at school! His friends always said that he was the funniest and admired his karate skills. One day, while he was walking home from school with his friend Brian, they heard someone sobbing in the park. They found a younger boy, Leon, crying by the monkey bars. He had been bullied by a bigger boy named Billy!

Keith knows that karate requires a lot of practice and self-control. Sometimes martial artists get hurt, but that’s a part of the game. Sensei has decided it’s time for Keith to take things to the next level. He needs to learn how to split boards! This seems like a challenge to Keith. He had seen other kids try it and get injured, so he is a little nervous. “Are you ready?” Sensei asks Keith. Keith takes a deep breath and braces himself. He might not succeed immediately, but he will practice until he does!

Keith has already received his yellow belt and will soon be getting his orange belt. It’s time for him to learn some new moves! As he’s trying to learn a move that he read about on his own, Sensei steps onto the tatami mat. Today, he is going to teach them a new move called the two-finger strike! Keith is really excited. He had no idea they would learn this in class! This is an awesome move. You can strike a person with two fingers, hit a specific nerve, and make them freeze in place! He has to master the two-finger strike!

Keith is ready for his first karate exam! He has to get a slip from his Sensei and receive his yellow belt. This way, a karate student can show that they are getting better. Keith will perform the basic karate moves in front of his Sensei, the whole class, and their families!

Keith appeared on the stage in a black costume with a black hood. Only his eyes were visible, so the audience couldn’t tell who he was! His father had made this ninja outfit custom just for him. He felt just like a ninja in a karate movie! “Welcome to the Little Ninja play, a history of Japan!” Mr. Perkins said. When the smoke on the stage cleared, Keith appeared in front of a Japanese temple and showed off his karate moves. The audience had no idea what he had in store for them!