The Colors of Kenpo

by Dennis Conatser

Once upon a time….

The colors of the Kenpo World started to quarrel.

All claimed that they were the best;

the most important, the most useful, the favorite…

YELLOW chuckled:

“You are all so serious; I am the beginning of the Journey,

I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world.

The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow.

Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile.

Without me there would be no fun.”

ORANGE started

Next to blow her trumpet: “I am the color of health and strength. The second

level of the Journey. I may be scarce,

but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.

I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges,

mangoes, and papayas. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the

sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another

thought to any of you.

PURPLE rose up to his full height:

He was very tall and spoke with great pomp:

“I am the color of royalty and power.

Reaching this level shows commitment and fortitude.

Kings, Chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me,

for I am the sign of authority and wisdom.

People do not question me! They listen and obey.”

BLUE interrupted:

“You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea, for which

at this level I strive to reach for!

It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the

deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace,

You would all be nothing.

GREEN said:

“Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I now at

this point of the Journey realize that one must be green and growing which

is why I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals

would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the

majority.”

BROWN said:

“Surely you must realize that by now I represent the structure of Strength

like that of the mighty oak and hard as iron frame. Without my thick trunk

the wind would be out of control, the birds have no home and the earth no

shade.

A Symbol of power to all that look up to its Mighty Structure.”

BLACK spoke,

Much more quietly than all the others,

“I have endured the test of time and learned the many lessons

thru hard work and much determination: Think of me, I am

the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become

superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water.

You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.”

RED finally could stand it no longer,

He shouted out: “I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood – life’s blood! I

Bring fire into the blood. I am willing to fight for a cause

Leadership is second nature and Professorship and Mastery the Goal. I am

the color of danger and of bravery.

Without me, the earth would be empty as the moon.

I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose,

the poinsettia and the poppy.”

So the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own

superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was

a startling flash of bright lightening.

Thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The

colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor,

SGM Ed Parker began to speak:

“You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don’t you

know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different?

Join hand with one another and realize your destiny.”

Let us remember to appreciate one another, for each of us needs all of us….

Let this group of colors reminder us that we too can all live in peace and harmony if we but try.”