How to Be a Hero

Written by: Lillie

Greetings, Heroes!

The fact that this parchment has landed in your hands is proof that my charm has worked. Something deep inside your heart or at the bottom of your shoe has responded to its call and the hero in you is about to come out.

But haste must be made. I write this in a dingy little shack by the flickering light of a most temperamental candle that is threatening to go out or burn the house down with every splutter. I fear discovery—there are always those individuals who do not wish for heroes to rediscover their own greatness, but I am here to guide all Heroes-in-Training on their individual quests to be full-fledged Heroes.

All heroes are different but some loose classifications can be made. First you must find which category you best fit, and which type of Hero you are.

Knights/Warriors

Knights are great crusaders for social justice. They are the ones who campaign for change and the rocks upon which others rely. These are the people who will stand up and fight for the underdog. They have long learned that courage is not the same as being fearless. There is a thin line between fearlessness and foolishness, after all. Knights also realize that if they wish to see change, they must begin it. Famous Knights include Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.

Knights follow the motto of, "Be the change you want to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi)

Warriors are Knights-in-training, if you will. Do you get frustrated when you see any form of unfairness in other people or in the world, but do not know what to do? Do you hear people saying something cruel about another human being, but fear being victimised as well if you speak out? Do you want to see justice done and to help change people's lives for the better? Then you may be an aspiring Knight deep inside.

Mages/Healers

Mages are well-known to be of a wise and goodly nature. They are often sought for advice and for comfort, particularly when misfortune has befallen a person. Mages seem to know just what to say and what should be done—and they seem to do an endless amount for others. This is because Mages have learned much about human nature, merely by welcoming all who seek them out, and by listening to their stories without passing judgment. It is no difficult task to understand why Mages are so sought-after. Mother Teresa and Florence Nightingale were famous Mages.

Truly, Mages have learned that, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." (Mother Teresa)

Healers are those individuals training to be Mages. Do you want to help other people with their troubles but fear giving the wrong counsel? Do you see a stray animal and want to take care of it, but do not know how? Do you wish you knew better how to place a smile on another's face and to say the best thing at any given time? You may be a Healer.

Sorcerors/Apprentices

Sorcerors are specialists in their subjects, know an assortment of useful facts and are often thinking of new concepts and ideas. Their humility is what marks them to be more than merely intellectual, however - they do not need to boast and so are respected. More importantly, the more that Sorcerors have learned, the more they realize just how ignorant they truly are. The great thinkers of our time, such as Confucius and Socrates, were Sorcerors.

Sorcerors know the truth of, "One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing." (Socrates)

Apprentices are to Sorcerors what Warriors are to Knights and Healers are to Mages. Do you enjoy learning and have the unfortunate label of "nerd" or "geek" attached to you? Perhaps you have been accused of boasting too often, or you are coming to realize that boasting is not quite the road to travel when you wish to show others what you know. Do you wish to expand human knowledge and learning for its own sake? You are most clearly an Apprentice, then.

Bards/Rogues

And finally, there are always those who go about their good work in a quiet manner. Bards have little care or desire for fame and fortune, seeking only to do what they can to make the world that tiny drop fuller in the ocean of goodness when they leave than when they first arrived. Although they may never be famous, many Bards exhibit immense courage in going to astounding lengths to achieve their goals. Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Muhammed Yunus are examples of Bards in the true sense of the word.

Bards realize that they want to do what is right, for, "It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can." (Sydney Smith)

Rogues are the unpolished jewels of the world, the Bards-to-be. Are you terribly shy and afraid of the world, but have a hankering to do something that can change the world nevertheless? Do you often doubt your ability to do anything at all? Do you wish you had some talent that could help you make the world a better place? If this fits you, you are most likely a Rogue.

What You Can Do

Everyone starts out as a Warrior, Healer, Apprentice or Rogue, and work their way up to what they wish to be. I have set some tasks for each of you to being on your quest of becoming Heroes. Perhaps you have found that you suit more than one category of Hero, in which case you will need to fulfill each task that applies to you. Fear not: they will not be difficult because a Hero is within you.

Warriors, your challenge is to Fix Something for Someone. This can be as simple as pumping someone's bicycle tire to organizing a food donation drive in your local community for some cause. The only additional requirement is that this must be for someone other than yourself.

Healers, your call is to Listen to Someone. Try listening to what people are saying and not saying for an entire day. If someone comes to you with a problem, just listen attentively without making judgmental comments or saying things like, "Oh yes, I've had an experience like that too, and you know, they were just so annoying..." That is not real listening.

Apprentices, your task is to Learn Something New. Take up a new class or hobby you have never tried before. Delve into a new genre of books you have always been reluctant to touch. Rote learning in school that you would learn regardless of this task does not fulfil the requirements.

Bards, your duty is to Make a Difference to Someone. Smile at someone lonely. Do another family member's chores when they are having a bad day. The aim is to change someone's potentially bad day into a better one without seeking credit. The act in itself is good enough.

This is only the beginning of what I believe may be a long quest. I wish all of you the greatest good fortune in your endeavors. If Fate and temperamental candles will grant me this, I shall be in touch with you before long.

Farewell!

The Wanderer