The smell of gasoline is in the air as a dark figure is thrown across the sky. Superman is flying up above the dark figure his red cape flapping in the wind. The dark figure begins to get up and jump at superman biting and growling in mid-jump. Superman runs around him in with his super speed power. Superman picks up the dark figure and with great strength throws him into the outer realm of this world. Superman is the hero of the small town. What makes him a hero anyway? Is it his super speed? Extreme strength? Ability to fly? No, superman is considered a hero because of his bravery, willingness to fight evil against all odds, and who can forget about how very attractive Superman is.
What makes a hero a hero? You could do the nerdy thing and look hero up in the dictionary or you can look into your heart. When I think of a hero I think of someone who will fight (not always with weapons or powers) to stand up for what he/she believes in. A hero is not just some one who stands up to “villains” to get fame and glory but for the greater good. Take superman for example, yes he has some totally awesome powers and a great six pack, he has a choice to fight against evil and save man kind. Superman doesn’t have to leave home and nearly die for the world he could just sit home and pretend that there is no evil in the world. A hero is also some one who will do what is right in a time of crisis. They will protect the ones the ones they love and sometimes even a complete stranger.
`In the story The Odyssey Odysseus is thought to be a grand hero. While reading it yesterday it didn’t really seem to me that he was that much of a hero. To me a hero doesn’t go into another village to plunder and enslave women and children, would Superman do that? I feel that in order to call some one a hero they need to act and treat others like one. Although, the story also said that he fought almost to the death to get his men home safely, that is a hero-like trait. It just doesn’t seem right to call Odysseus a hero because of some of the things he has done to other people and villages.
Everyone has a personal hero, whether or not its a super hero like our dear friend Superman or an everyday hero. My hero is my dad. He has many hero-like attributes. For instance he has done everything he can do to provide and keep his family safe and alive, even if it means we never get to see him but once or twice a week. My dad works very hard to make sure everyone has things they need and are kept safe and sound. Sure he may go out and DJ a few nights a week but at least what he is doing is making it possible to care for his family. Besides what hero doesn’t have his flaws? My dad may not be the perfect hero or person that ever walked the face of the earth but thats ok. In our times of crisis he always makes sure everyone is happy and healthy. My daddy is my Superman.
Being a hero can be hard work but in the end its worth it to see the smiling faces of all the grateful people in the world. If I was in a fight and I had a choice to be on either my dad or Odysseus’s side I would without hesitation be on my dad’s side. To me my dad has more hero like attributes than Odysseus. I know for a fact that in a fight between us and Odysseus we would win because we would have more hero ambition than Superman and Odysseus combined. A hero isn’t in a fight for glory or fame but for what he/she believes in and the “greater good”.
