Dave and Don were rolling on the floor of their room, wrestling with each other when their mother walked in.

“What is all that commotion about?” Mrs Dee asked in exasperation. “Why are the two of you fighting? Haven’t I taught you better?”

The two brothers broke apart and giggled. “Relax, mom! We are not fighting! We are just fooling around.”

“Well, I don’t think fighting is playing. You might hurt each other and I do not like violence,” Mrs Dee frowned. “Dinosaurs have been wrongly labeled as aggressive in the past but we, the dinosaurs of Fruit Park, have proved everyone wrong. I don’t want my sons to taint our good image.”

“You know mom, they are teaching us the art of self-defence in school,” revealed Din Din who had joined them in the conversation. “That’s why they are in this mood for war play,” he joked well naturedly.

“What kind of self-defence?” asked their mother.

“They are teaching us something called martial arts. We have a new sports teacher whose name is Tina the tyrannosaurus. She is very agile and quick. She has been teaching us all amazing moves in our sports lessons,” said Dave excitedly.

“I must complain to your school principal about this,” said Mrs Dee still unconvinced.

“Ma, I don’t think you need to over react,” said Din Din frowning. He was taken aback to see his usually cool-headed mother disturbed.

“I don’t think being concerned about my sons is over reacting,” Mrs Dee answered in response and strode out of their room. The next day, Mrs Dee, who was usually a very cooperative parent, took an appointment from the principal of the Terrestrial School. Taub the T-Rex, the principal at the Terrestrial School, listened to Mrs Dee’s apprehensions patiently.

“I do not think violence is something that needs to be taught,” Mrs Dee insisted. “We dinosaurs already have suffered the reputation of being violent and we have worked long and hard to be accepted as peace-loving members of D’Land.”

“I understand your concern, Mrs Dee,” smiled Taub, “trust me when I say that we have the blessings of the elders including our leader, Old Rex, for these self-defence classes. And martial arts is not violence, let me assure you. It gives self-confidence and keeps one fit. Also, martial arts teaches focus and concentration.”

Mrs Dee listened to the principal but she was still not reassured when she returned home. Over dinner she discussed the matter with the rest of her family, including Mr D and Din Din’s Grandfather and Grandmamma.

“You know I am a non-violent creature and I have cringed to see dinosaurs be tagged as aggressive. I am not comfortable that the school is actually teaching our kids ways to hurt other creatures,” Mrs Dee said as she served the fruit salad.

“We must trust the school and elders, my dear,” advised Mr D. “I am sure they know what they are doing.”

“How often do you have these self-defence classes?” Mrs Dee asked her four sons.

“Once a week,” answered Don, the youngest son meekly. He glanced at his brothers. All four brothers were a bit uncomfortable about how their mother had come to school to object to the self-defence classes. Everyone seemed to have found out about it and their friends were teasing them.

“Why don’t you come and observe one class,” suggested Din Din. “Then you might change your mind.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” agreed Grandmamma as she sipped her lentil soup. Mrs Dee nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, maybe I will.”

That Monday, Mrs Dee went to the Terrestrial School later in the day to observe Din Din’s self-defence class. Din Din’s class was enjoying the chilly winter breeze on the hillside near which the Terrestrial School classes were held. Mrs Dee walked towards the green hill noticing how much the creatures were enjoying themselves.

“Hello,” greeted a young, energetic Tyrannosaurus. “I am Tina, the self-defence instructor here at the Terrestrial School. I was told by the principal that you might be coming today to join us.”

“I am sorry for the inconvenience. I hope you don’t mind,” regretted Mrs Dee. She was a bit surprised to see Tina. She had expected someone large and aggressive but Tina was lithe and pleasant.

“I don’t mind at all. Come, join us on the field. The kids will be doing a few exercises,” she invited.

Mrs Dee saw the creatures on the field warming up systematically with a series of kicks and punches in the air. Then they paired up and blocked each other’s punches effectively. Tina seemed to enjoy a very friendly camaraderie with her students as she went around correcting everyone’s moves, laughing and joking with them.

“Martial arts help us learn to develop the skill, agility and presence of mind to protect ourselves at all times,” said Taub who had walked up to Mrs Dee and stood watching the class practice.

“The fact of the matter is that all of us need to be confident that in case of any attack we have the strength and will to defend ourselves and our loved ones,” the principal explained. “We need to teach our youth this because they are our future. What will they do when we are no longer there to protect them?”

Mrs Dee seemed to break out of her trance. She looked at Taub as if he had said something eye opening. “You are right, Sir,” she said as if realizing some¬thing for the first time.

“Tina’s self-defence work-outs do not teach violence. In fact, she is also training us teachers,” Taub shared. “Dr Trish has proposed that Tina teach the females special self-defence strategies. So be prepared to become part of this activity!” he finished with a smile.

Mrs Dee smiled, “Come to think of it, I would like that.”

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