Under the Heavens, there is but one family…
"Uncle…" Zuko's eyes narrowed at the old man. He was not willing to hear yet another speech, even though Iroh was the one teaching him today. Zuko had wanted to learn how to redirect lightning, not more unless "wisdom of his elders", as Iroh called it.
"Zuko…you need to understand this." Iroh said, almost demanding that his nephew listen.
Zuko crossed his arms and grunted.
Iroh took a stick and drew two circles.
"This…" He poked one. "…represents the Fire Nation. There other, the Earth Kingdom. They are called Fire and Earth because people say they are. But look closer. Both are just dirt. The Earth Kingdom colonies are our property only because we say they are. But those people belong to only One. Our people belong to only One. Every human in this world is part of the same family. Indifference to our fellow man causes intense suffering. We are all brothers and sisters to one another, and that includes the richest nobleman and the poorest beggar. That includes the strongest fighter and the weakest monk…"
Zuko was looking away from his uncle, ignoring the enlightened words of his elder.
"…that includes a banished prince and an widely accepted Avatar." Iroh said, desperate to reach him.
Zuko jumped up and spat smoke in his uncle's face.
"You're a crazy! You don't know what you are talking about, and if you weren't born into this family, you'd be nothing! You'd be a beggar in the streets!" Zuko turned his back on his uncle, stamping his feet as he left.
Sorrow covered Iroh's face, but not because of Zuko's insult. Iroh was sad because he felt the pain inside his nephew. He knew that, if he did not change his ways, when he reached the crossroads of his destiny…he would not make the right choice.