LIFE IN THESE UNITED STATES I

Reader's Digest

July, 1997

Submitted by Mike Powers

Ithaca, N.Y.

 

   My wife and teenage son belong to a local tai kwon do club where they learn the strict rules of the discipline. The head instructor of the club is a highly ranked black belt whose tae kwon do title is  "Sabumnim." Away from class, Sabumnim is a plumber named Dave. 

   One day, after several futile attempts to  unclog a blocked pipe, I called Dave to ask if he could stop by and take care of it. An hour later, he pulled up in his truck, just as we were going out the door.

   As he came up the walk, my wife and son, ever mindful of their martial arts etiquette, stood rigidly at attention and bowed deeply.

   Just then I saw my next-door neighbor in his yard watching us. He said, "That must be one helluva plumber."