I kick the grass. Why can't I waterbend? I've tried, and tried, but of course it never works. I raise my hand from the lake, but the water doesn't even quiver. I sigh in disappointment, but then get angry. Why won't it work? I punch my fist in the water, and.. steam forms? I take my fist out of the water, and punch again. Maybe the water will make more steam! Maybe I am a waterbender! But to my horror, fire flies out of my fist. I scream and step back. I kick my left foot. Fire surges upward. Oh no. This is worse than I've ever imagined. Being a non-bender left me with the hope of someday being a waterbender, but this, oh this is the worst thing. I'm a firebender! This is defeat. My hopes: gone. My dreams: gone. My purpose: GONE! All I have left to do now is kick this stupid fire around, sleep, and eat. I go and tell my brother, mom, and dad the news.
"Oh, congratulations honey!" my mom says, hugging me. I grumble.
"Now, why do you look so disappointed?" my dad says.
"Oh, you wanted to be a waterbender so bad, didn't you," my mom says sympathetically.
"Yes! Yes, that's all I've ever wanted! This is defeat!" I exclaim, starting to cry.
"No, this is not defeat. This is opportunity. You might not be a waterbender, but you can use their style. You could create a whole other type of bending!" my dad says. My eyes light up. It's true. I run outside, and firebend again. It comes so easily. I go into a waterbending stance and make a water whip. Well, fire whip in this case. It looks exactly like a glowing, red orange, water whip! Next I create a wave of fire. I push, and pull, push and pull. Then, I change my mind. This is not defeat. My dad is right. This, is opportunity.