Introduction of Characters
In “Kung Fu Panda,” Po is a big and clumsy panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. He may not look like a hero, but his hard work and determination lead him to be chosen as the Dragon Warrior, a special hero who is meant to save the Valley of Peace.
Master Shifu is a smart and skilled red panda who becomes Po’s teacher. At first, he doubts Po’s abilities, but later he sees Po’s potential and helps him use his unique strengths. Together, they go on a journey of learning, friendship, and self-discovery, showing the importance of never giving up and believing in oneself.
Story: Forgetful Po
This is one such story when Master Shifu was teaching Kung Fu steps to Po, Po struggled to memorise the steps. The story below is a way of describing what I have learned during my high school days.
Po: Master, why can I not remember the things that you teach me?
Shifu: Po, you have to look within to find the answer. Do you remember what I told you in Kung Fu Panda 3?
Po: No, master, sorry 😔
Shifu: “I can teach you how to fight, but I cannot teach you who you are.”
Po: Master, how is it possible for you to remember everything, and why do I struggle?
Shifu: I know you act in Hollywood movies, but have you ever watched any good Bollywood movies?
Po: No, Master, I will watch if you recommend me a movie.
Shifu: Watch The Lunchbox; this one has the answer to your question.
Po: What does this have to do with my question, Master? What is the movie about?
Shifu: The Lunchbox is a quiet, heartfelt story about loneliness, missed connections, and unexpected companionship in the chaos of Mumbai.
Po: Interesting, I do not understand Hindi. Please tell me more about the movie.
Shifu: When a home-cooked lunch prepared by Ila, a neglected housewife, is accidentally delivered to Saajan, a widowed, grumpy office worker, they begin exchanging handwritten notes through the lunchbox. What starts as simple communication turns into something deeper. They share their hopes, regrets, memories, and dreams.
Shifu: Through these notes, they form a bond that fills the emotional voids in their lives, even though they’ve never met face-to-face.
Po: So, a classic love story?
Shifu: No, The Lunchbox doesn’t chase a grand, cinematic love story. It’s subtle and real, it is more about human connection and emotional intimacy than dramatic romance. It leaves the ending open, suggesting that life, like the lunchbox, can sometimes surprise you in the most unexpected ways.
Po: I get it, thank you. But I still do not understand how this is related to my question.
Shifu: There is a dialogue in this movie, the main character, Saajan, says to the cab driver,
“We forget things if we have no one to tell them to.”
Meaning, we only remember what we share.
It means we need two things: our intent to share it widely and, secondly, someone that we can share our emotions with.
Po: I get it, Master. Thank you 🙏
Shifu: Have you heard of Richard P. Feynman?
Po: Yes, the famous physicist? I follow him on X/Twitter. His tweets are full of wisdom.
Shifu: Yes, the physicist. He once said,
“If you want to master something, teach it.”
Po: I get it, Master. I now understand how you manage to remember.
Shifu: And remember, you may have the intent, and you can be kind to share your wisdom, but you will still need someone who you can share it with. Find true friends and genuine beings who want to be with you, and their sole purpose is to be there and listen to what you want to share.
Po: Thank you, Master. But your reference to the Lunchbox 🍜 has made me hungry!
Shifu: You always remember your noodles 🍝 even when you do not want to share it with anyone, hahaha!
Po: 🐼
Bhavin Shukla 
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