The Issues

"It's always the issue, the Issue, THE ISSUE!" Po grumbled. With being a servant of the Master, there came with it some very great challenges. Most of the challenges that Po had were from the outside of his ring. But now, his social ring had grown so much that different people had different problems. To be blunt, there were things happening among the servants of the Master that caused a great deal of strife. For example, a letter from Tigress came when Po was in his room with Ulaghai. From the letter, Po could see that something was wrong.

There is great trouble with these lions.

Tigress was having trouble with Ulaghai's disciples. She wrote that Rem had taken a great dislike to the women there. Tigress explained that the tiger ladies were quite independent like her, though not as reserved as she is. Roho Moto complained all day about how they did not know their rightful place. Tigress knew she couldn't say anything to him because it would seem as if she were biased. But the question still remained on her mind. What was the place of females in the Master's plan?

Please tell Ulaghai to write to his disciples.

She wanted Ulaghai to tell them. She still didn't quite know Rem and the words she would say would not have any effect on him. Po groaned when he received the message. He wrote back to his wife.

Your message could not have come at a worse time

Po and Ulaghai were having troubles of their own. A group of people was starting to question their authority. What made them so special to hear the voice of the Master? Couldn't anyone hear his voice? This caused great debate in the village. Po and Ulaghai couldn't figure out what to say.

I don't know what to do.

When he received another letter from Tigress, what she said greatly helped him.

Who said you were to do anything?

Po smiled. "What are you smiling about?" Ulaghai asked. He had become quite discouraged over the whole debate of authority.

"Tigress just helped me figure out how to settle this," Po replied. He called all of the villagers, believers, and doubters, to the Jade Palace later that afternoon. Before he talked, he silently spoke to the Master. "Master, let me say what you want me to say." One of Ulaghai's disciples came to Po.

"The people are waiting for you, Dragon Warrior," he said. With that, Po went out and stood in front of the whole village. Ulaghai stood right next to him. Master Shifu and the others were there to make sure nothing was going to go bad. Po sighed and looked up to the sky. He then said to the people. "There's talk about whether or not Ulaghai and I should have the authority of what the Master has said. You guys have asked, 'Can't anyone be the servant of the Master?' What you really want to ask is, 'Can't anyone be the boss?'" There was a lot of murmuring. Po could see some of the people with pensive faces. Others had knowing grins. "I would just like to say that you are right," Po said. The murmuring got louder. Po waited for it to quiet down. "Anyone can have this job of being a servant of the Master. In fact, the Master himself has said that anyone can serve him, and he invites anyone to serve other people. But what you really want to have is the ability to tell anyone to do what you want them to do." Po was being very blunt. He could tell that several people were becoming nervous or awkward.

"Let me clear up something for you," Po continued, "You DON'T get to say what you want to say. There have been some words I've wanted to say to some people that my dear father has raised me not to say. Some of those people are standing here today. You can only say what the Master has told you to say. Also, have you thought of the dangers of this job? We face getting imprisoned, laughed at, nearly getting murdered several times, dying, being exiled, facing people who resemble demons more than actual people, and we are a lonely people. Yeah, we have some perks given by the Master. But the forces of evils are always out to get us. I'm not trying to scare you out of taking this job. You are already a servant of the Master because you know about him. If you want to be the 'boss' go to the Master and say to him, 'You aren't doing your job right and I'm here to replace you.' That's the boss we follow. If you have a complaint, take it with him. We're just the messengers." With that, Po left the people shocked and feeling ashamed and humbled. Then the people left (the younger ones first). As Po went into the kitchen, Ulaghai and Shifu came in with him.

"You spoke very plainly, Po," Shifu stated.

"I love those people. I really do. But sometimes they complain and question things that they just don't understand. Like, children. They question everything. And when they get the answer, they regret ever asking," Po replied. "Oh, by the way, Tigress wanted you to talk to Rem a bit." He explained the situation to Ulaghai.

So in Qiándù, Tigress, and the others were helping the community. They stayed at Qiang's house, the leader of the village. Reestablishing the order of the village was difficult but they managed. As the four came into the house, a messenger came in. "Two letters from the Jade Palace," He announced. He produced the scrolls and left. Tigress was a bit surprised. She hadn't expected two letters. She examined the letters closely.

"This is for you, Rem," Tigress said. The lion took the scroll in hand. Tigress read her scroll from Po aloud.

As always, you've helped me realize how simple the answer to my problem was. I thank you for that. I hope that you'll be coming soon. It's been three months since I've seen your faces. To answer your question about the place of women in the Master's plan. I learned that the Master has different plans for all of us. For the Soothsayer, she was a prophet to the people. For you, you were a healer. For Ulaghai, he is a helper. For me, I am a panda that talks a lot.

The four laughed at the joke.

But to answer your question, the place of women of the Master is to serve the Master just as he has served us. What does it matter? Men serve the Master and others, women serve the Master and others. What you're really asking is who should be in charge of who. The answer to that is simple. The Master. We are equally unique. One is not greater than the other. I have heard that some of the women there are independent. Aren't we all independent? Yet when it comes to marriage, a man and a woman must learn to depend completely on each other. What Rem is really angry about is the fact that they don't need a man to do their own work. Tigress, I will tell you a secret. Men want to feel needed. But since the women here are self-reliant, they feel a little useless, but the men of your village seem to have figured out a way around that.

Tigress could see that Rem was a little embarrassed that he was called out.

Tell him that that is normal. I've gotten used to you being that way, and it is something that I've come to love about you. Tell Rem, that true love does not get angry easily. Imagine if the Master were to get angry as easily with us. I hope that you will come back soon.

Love Po.

P.S.: Please tell Rem that Ulaghai's message is sent in love.

Tigress put down the scroll and looked over to Rem. Rem opened the scroll and looked at it. Ulaghai didn't have much to say, but what he said was enough.

A woman brought you into this world and a woman can take you out of it.

Rem sighed. Tigress placed a hand on his shoulder. "Like Po said, he sends it in love."

"But I don't understand. They're just so-"

"Different?" Tigress finished. "Yes, I said the same things about when Po became Dragon Warrior. You have to minister to these people's needs. That means interacting with them. Getting to know them." Rem sighed.

"I'll try," He said, walking out the door. Tigress sighed.

"He means well," Gun-Ho said.

"You do too," Tigress smirked. "I just hope he learns how to be less-"

"Like you were," Monkey joked. Tigress glared at the monkey.

"Yes."

Continued...