"Korra, you're doing it wrong!" Tenzin shouted, as he watched the young Avatar struggle to perform the airbending form. "You need to be more graceful, more fluid, more harmonious!"
Korra gritted her teeth and tried to follow his instructions, but she felt clumsy and awkward. She felt like she was fighting against the air, not bending it. She felt like she was wasting her time, not learning anything.
She stopped and glared at Tenzin, who was standing on a platform above her, holding a staff. "What's the point of this?" she asked. "How is this going to help me master airbending?"
Tenzin sighed and lowered his staff. He looked at Korra with a mix of frustration and concern. "Korra, this is not just about bending. This is about finding balance within yourself. Air is the element of freedom, of spirituality, of change. You need to embrace these qualities if you want to become a true airbender."
Korra rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before. But how am I supposed to do that when I'm stuck on this island, away from everything and everyone? How am I supposed to be free when I feel like I'm in a cage?"
Tenzin continued, "Korra, I know how you feel. You are not the first Avatar to struggle with airbending. My father, Aang, had a hard time learning it too. He was raised in the Southern Air Temple, where he was taught to be peaceful, detached, and nomadic. He had a natural affinity for airbending, but he also had a playful and adventurous spirit. He loved to explore the world and make friends with people from different nations. He did not want to be confined by the rules and responsibilities of being the Avatar."
Tenzin paused and looked at Korra with a soft smile. "You remind me of him, in some ways. You have a strong and courageous personality, and you are eager to face any challenge that comes your way. But airbending is different. It requires a different mindset, a different approach, a different balance."
"So how did he do it?" she asked. "How did he master airbending?"
Tenzin explained, "Katara did not tell you some stories about Aang, because they were too graphic and violent. She wanted to protect you from the horrors of war and the pain of loss. She wanted you to see Aang as a hero and a legend, not as a victim and a survivor. She wanted you to focus on the positive and the hopeful, not on the negative and the tragic."
He continued, "But I think you deserve to know the truth. The truth about Aang's life and struggles. The truth about airbending and its history. The truth about the world and its conflicts. That's why I want to show you this journal. This is one of my father's journals. He wrote it when he was about your age, during his travels around the world. He recorded his experiences, his thoughts, his feelings, and his lessons. He also drew some sketches of the places he visited, the people he met, and the animals he encountered.
"The journal also contains details on airbending that you won't find anywhere else. It explains the philosophy and technique of airbending, as well as the culture and history of the Air Nomads. It shows how airbending is based on circular movements and continuous motion, creating and manipulating currents of air. It shows how airbending is about being light and agile, like a leaf in the wind. It shows how airbending is about finding harmony with the spirit of the sky."
He concluded, "This journal also tells stories that you won't hear from anyone else. Stories that are hidden or forgotten by history. Stories that are relevant to our present situation. Stories about the civil war in the Fire Nation, where Aang helped Zuko stop his sister Azula and restore peace to his nation."
Tenzin and Korra decided to take a break from their training and watch Tenzin's kids play around the island. They saw Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo riding on Oogi, their sky bison, who was flying low and slow over the water. They saw Rohan, the youngest, sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms. They smiled and laughed at their antics, feeling a sense of love and gratitude.
Tenzin smiled and said, "Come on, Korra. I want to show you the journal. Aang's journal that might help you understand airbending better."
They passed by the courtyard, where they saw some of the Air Acolytes practicing their meditation and chants. They were non-benders who followed the teachings and traditions of the Air Nomads. Tenzin explained that they were volunteers who came from different nations and backgrounds, and that they helped him maintain and restore the island.
They entered the main building, which was a large and elegant structure with a dome-shaped roof and a tower in the center. They climbed up the spiral staircase, which was decorated with paintings and sculptures of the past Avatars. Tenzin pointed out some of the notable ones, such as Roku, Kyoshi, Kuruk, and Yangchen. He also showed Korra his father's portrait, which was placed at the top of the staircase. He said that it was painted by his mother, Katara, who was a master waterbender and healer.
They reached the third floor, which was where Tenzin and his family lived. They walked along a corridor, which had several doors on both sides. Tenzin said that each door led to a different room, such as his bedroom, his study, his library, and his meditation chamber. He said that he liked to spend time in these rooms, where he could read, write, think, and pray.
They arrived at his father's room, which was at the end of the corridor. It had a wooden door with a metal plaque that read "Avatar Aang". Tenzin opened the door and invited Korra to enter.
Tenzin and Korra entered the room, which was a tribute to the Air Nomads and their culture. Tenzin looked around for the item he wanted to show Korra, a journal that belonged to his father, Aang. He went to a bookshelf that was full of books and scrolls about airbending and the Avatar. He searched for a minute, moving some books aside and checking the titles. He finally found the journal he was looking for. It had a blue cover with a silver emblem of an airbender on it. He took it out and handed it to Korra.
He handed her the journal and said, "This is a gift from my father to you, Korra. A gift of knowledge and wisdom. A gift of hope and courage. A gift of guidance for you."
Korra took the journal and looked at it with a slight smirk. She said, "Thanks, Tenzin. This is pretty cool, I guess. Maybe this will help me with my airbending."
Tenzin smiled and said, "You're welcome, Korra. I'm glad you like it. I hope you will read it carefully and learn from it. I think you will find them useful and effective."
Korra nodded and said, "Sure, Tenzin. I'll give it a shot. I want to improve my airbending and become a better Avatar."
"This is going to be a pain. I don't see how reading some old journal is going to make me a better airbender. But I guess I have to humor Tenzin. Maybe I'll learn something useful from this. Or maybe I'll just fall asleep." She thought to herself.
Tenzin said, "All right, Korra. That's enough for today. You are dismissed. I hope you will enjoy reading the journal. It has a lot of interesting and important information about airbending and the world. You might be surprised by what you find out. And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them with me. I'm always happy to talk to you."
Korra said, "Thanks, Tenzin. I'll see you tomorrow."
Korra left Aang's room and made her way to her own room, which was on the same floor. She felt drained and bored after the long and tedious training and lecture. She wanted to take a nap and forget about airbending for a while. She entered her room, which was simple and cozy, with a bed, a closet, a desk, and a window. She closed the door behind her and locked it. She threw the journal on the bedside table and ignored it. She lay down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
But sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned on the bed, unable to relax. She felt hungry and restless, as if something was missing. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock on the wall. It was 6 pm. She had been lying on the bed for an hour, but she didn't feel any better. She felt worse. She felt like she was wasting her time on this island, away from everything and everyone. She felt like she was in a cage.
She got up and decided to get some food. Maybe that would make her feel better. She grabbed a jacket and put it on. She opened the door and left her room. She walked to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat.
She reached the kitchen, which was spacious and well-equipped. She saw a large table, where Tenzin and his family had their dinner. There were some plates and bowls left on the table, with some food still in them. She also saw a stove, a fridge, a sink, and some cabinets. She opened the fridge and found some rice, vegetables, and tofu. She took a plate and some spoon and fork from a drawer. She filled her plate with some food and closed the fridge.
She turned around and saw Tenzin standing at the doorway. He looked at her with a friendly smile and said, "Korra, why didn't you eat with us? We have plenty of food."
Korra said, "Oh, hi, Tenzin. I'm sorry, I wasn't hungry earlier. I just wanted to take a rest."
Tenzin nodded and said, "I understand. You must be tired from the training and the lecture. But you should eat something. You need to keep your strength up."
Korra said, "I know, Tenzin. Don't worry. I'm eating now." She gestured to her plate and smiled.
Tenzin said, "That's good. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself." He paused and said, "Did you read the journal I gave you?"
Korra lied and said, "Yeah, I read it. It was…interesting."
Tenzin looked at Korra and saw that she was lying. He could tell by her tone and expression that she hadn't read the journal. He felt a pang of disappointment and sadness. But he also felt a sense of understanding and compassion. He knew that Korra was a stubborn and independent person, who liked to do things her own way. So he decided to let it go. He decided to trust her and respect her. He decided to be casual and friendly.
He sighed and said, "Korra, don't lie to me. I know you didn't read the journal. But it's okay. I'm not mad at you. I know you have your own way of learning and doing things. And I know you're busy and stressed with everything that's going on."
He continued, "But I hope you will read it someday. It has a lot of valuable information and stories about airbending and the world. You might be surprised by what you find out. And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them with me. I'm always happy to talk to you."
Tenzin paused and said, "But don't worry, I won't quiz you on it or anything. You can read it at your own pace, whenever you feel like it. Maybe when you're bored or curious, you can pick it up and read a few pages. Maybe you'll find something that catches your attention or inspires you."
He turned around and walked out of the kitchen. He went to the yard, where he wanted to meditate and relax for a while.
Korra watched Tenzin leave the kitchen and felt a wave of indifference. She didn't care about his opinion or advice. She didn't believe that reading some old journal would make any difference to her airbending. She used her waterbending to clean the dishes and put them back in their places. She returned to her room and locked the door behind her.
She saw the journal on her bedside table, where she had left it before. She decided to read it, just to see what it was about. Maybe it would be more interesting than Tenzin's speech. Maybe it would have some cool pictures or stories. Maybe it would make her sleepy.
She opened the journal and started reading from the first page. She saw Aang's handwriting and drawings, which were full of life and color. She saw his name and the date on the top of the page: Aang, 100 AG.
"War is a cycle of violence that consumes the world.
The fire of hatred burns the lands and the people.
The water of compassion dries up and turns to ice.
The air of freedom suffocates and vanishes.
The earth of balance crumbles and shatters."
She saw Aang's account of how he woke up from a hundred-year slumber in an iceberg. He described how he met Katara and Sokka, two siblings from the Southern Water Tribe. He wrote that they were initially hostile and suspicious of him, thinking he was a Fire Nation spy. He drew a sketch of Sokka pointing a rifle at him, with a scared expression on his face. He also wrote that he felt a strange connection with them, as if he could understand their language and emotions.
Korra felt a mix of awe and curiosity as she read Aang's journal. She saw his handwriting and drawings, full of life and color. She saw how he described his first meeting with Katara and Sokka, two siblings from the Southern Water Tribe. He said that they were wary of him, and they suspected him of being a spy from the Fire Nation. He said that Sokka aimed a rifle at him, and he was terrified.
She also saw how he expressed his connection with them, as if he could communicate with them and sense their emotions. He said that Katara was kinder than Sokka, and she stood up for him against her brother. She said that he could be the Avatar. She said that her grandmother had shared stories about the Avatar, and she had faith that he would come back someday.
Korra remembered how Katara had told her the same story when they first met. Katara was an old woman then, but she still had the spark of adventure in her eyes.
Korra shook her head and smiled. She felt a warm affection for Katara, who had been like a grandmother to her. She decided to read the rest of the journal that night, hoping to learn more about Aang and his adventures. She opened the next page of the journal, and continued reading.