Working for the Master

The blacksmith's apprentice hammered away at his small anvil. The master's steelwork rang louder and more even. The lingering vibrations nearly a song in the forge.
The apprentice finished creating the blade he had worked on for a week. His apprehension at showing the master was visible. His blades were acceptable for the city
guards, but couldn't hold up to the master's standard.

"Master, I've finished."

"Show me. Place it on my anvil."

As he had many times before, the apprentice placed the sword. The master clamped down the haft. With muscles honed by the hammer as much as his blades he lifted
his own hammer. The strike was swift. The hammer snapped the blade in two. This was a trial none of his practice blades had survived.

"Make another."

Years of practice more. Countless broken blades. The apprentice never stopped trying. His strength grew. His technique improved. He could complete blades much
quicker. Another practice blade finished and given to the master. As always, it was clamped down. As always the master raised his hammer high. A swift strike and
the blade broke in two. As always.

"Make another."

Another year. The master grew too old to continue. His last day didn't see his apprentice's latest blade. Standing above his master's anvil, he looked down at his
own blade. A thought occurred to him. Taking down one of his master's blades, he studied it. A fine blade, there was no doubt. The apprentice clamped it down
and raised his master's hammer. The swift strike from his strong arm shattered the blade. After a moment of disbelief, the apprentice, now the master, finally realized
the lesson he had been learning for so long. He smiled to the sound of his own apprentice hammering away.