Nine year old Avatar Korra was very excited about starting earth bending. After all, Master Toph was the greatest earthbending sifu out there. After four years of training, Korra finally mastered waterbending and would now be ready to train with this great master.
"Don't get too frustrated with her," Katara warned Korra gently. "Toph likes to give people nicknames that may be considered annoying, but it'll grow on you eventually."
Korra was practically jumping with joy when she first met Toph.
"Hi!" she beamed. "I'm so glad you're going to teach me!" She bowed hastily and nearly fell over in the process.
"Uh, sorry," Korra apologized, sheepishly.
Toph chuckled, shaking her head. "Very hyperactive. Can't believe this is the second Avatar in a row to have this much energy. So what's you're name, little one?"
"Hey!" Korra protested. "I'm already nine, I'm not little. And I'm Korra."
"Quite the little spitfire, aren't you?" Toph noted. "I like that. So have you ever earthbended before?"
Korra smiled proudly.
"I've been earthbending since I was three," she boasted. "But the White Lotus said that I couldn't even practice a little bit because I had to wait until I finished water."
"An early bloomer," Toph nodded appreciatively. "But you're rusty, apparently. Tell you what, Spitfire, since you're a little younger than most of my students I'll go slightly easier on you. But don't think you can just cruise through this without lifting a finger."
Toph bent a boulder out of the earth. "You have to be tough to earthbend," she got into a steady stance and punched the boulder with unexpected strength.
Korra watched in awe as it shattered into little pieces.
"I'm tough, Sifu, I can handle anything you throw at me!" she said boldly.
Toph smiled. "All right, Spitfire. Now, get in push up position."
"Wha...?" Korra asked taken aback. "What's that got to do with-"
"Don't question me, you lily-livered wimp! Push up position!" Toph bellowed, easily getting back into the habit of teaching.
Korra got in the proper position. "How many do I do?"
"None. I want you to hold it," Toph replied. "It builds endurance."
Toph carefully placed a brick on Korra's back.
Arms slightly shaking, Korra asked incredulously, "Who has a brick just lying around?"
The elderly earthbender smirked. "Only Toph Beifong, kid. Just your luck you get stuck with her, huh?"
Korra grumbled.
"What, having second thoughts, little Spitfire?" Toph questioned in a patronizing tone.
"No way!" Korra yelled indignantly.
"Good. Now stand up and hold this boulder over your head."
After seven hours of training, Korra was drenched in sweat and was finally allowed to move a boulder.
"Get in your horse stance," demanded Toph. "Keep it solid, kid. Don't wimp out."
"Oh, I won't Sifu." Korra smirked confidently.
Toph rolled a boulder towards the girl and Korra stood her ground and stopped it.
"Great job, pupil." Toph smiled proudly. "Even the great Twinkletoes Avatar before you couldn't get it the first time. Now lift the boulder with your bending."
Korra lifted it with ease and grinned widely. But by then Toph was staring at her watch apprehensively. It was time to go.
"'Kay, bye, nice job," Toph said absentmindedly, then started walking out.
"Wait! Do I put it down? Sifu!"
"Relax," Toph assured her. "I'll come back in an hour or two. I have important business to attend to."
Korra groaned. "You…You crazy old lady!"
"I'll come back with some ice cream. Just trust me. I'd never leave you without a good reason."
"I need a ride home!"
"Yeah, yeah..."
"And who's Twinkletoes?"