Mistakes are our greatest teachers…
A thunder bolt clapped as Iroh finished his sentence. Zuko did not budge; Iroh was not sure if he heard him. The boy had not said anything since the storm started, still upset over his last encounter with the Avatar.
"Zuko…" Iroh swallowed a lump in his throat. "…I know that you are not happy right now."
He stayed silent, hiding in the darkness.
"Don't take it so hard, Zuko. You have done nothing to be ashamed of. As I just said, a mistake is a lesson in disguise. There are a million lessons in defeat, but none in victory. You have actually become stronger through this, even if you don't realize it yet Are you listening to me?"
Zuko didn't say a word. Iroh gulped again and remembered the cursed wall at Ba Sing Se.
"I know what it is like to fail, Zuko." He said, clenching his fists.
Zuko rolled over and glance at his uncle, finally hearing him out.
"I know how much it hurts. But it is not how many times we fall that count." Iroh put his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "What matters is how many times we get back up. When we make the decision to not run away or surrender, that is when we change our lives. If you want to stay down, then fine. If you want to get back up, I will help you. I promise Zuko…as long as you don't give up, I will stay by your side."
Zuko stared at Iroh for a moment, then looked away, not saying a word.
Iroh took his hand off his shoulder, trying not to sigh.
He stood up and stepped away from Zuko's bed.
"…thank you Uncle." Zuko said softly just before he left his room.