Heros?

My young friend, Danielle, recently read the book Watership Down and has asked her blog readers what their thoughts are about heros; What or Who are Heros?

I liked her question, as it made me think, and decided to post my answer on my own blog.

Here is an exerpt about the book from a reader review:

("This is a timeless and much loved novel of leadership, struggle and adventure! A group of individuals, dissatisfied with the government of their "country," and receiving prophesies of its doom, decide to leave and start a colony elsewhere. The individuals, of course, are rabbits, who are confronted with all the dangers of the "elil." The "elil" means their enemies, known to the rabbits as "the thousand" meaning the infinite number of enemies, i.e. foxes, hawks, etc. who prey on rabbits. The most dangerous elil, of course, is man.
This is a wonderful novel that discusses the nature of leadership, teamwork, individual achievement, and struggle, as the protagonists seek to set up a new colony free of dangers from man as well as "elil" and even other hostile rabbits. Their leader, Hazel, is neither the strongest (Bigwig is that) or the cleverest (Blackberry is that) but nevertheless we come to see why he is the emergent leader to whom the others look for guidance and inspiration. This is a fine study in leadership.")

Heros can be found in many places. Through art, history, science, the bible, wars, medicine, home and family, ect. I believe that heros most often have the same elements or qualities. They are people who have truth, who have made great contributions and who are noble and pure in their aspirations. I am not talking about perfection because we all know that we do not live in a perfect world.

Although there are many places that we can find heros, one place that we find them are amoung those of whom we are acquainted or are a part of our own lives. I believe parents are amoung a childs first heros, they look up to them. A parent that is admired or looked up to, I believe, has set an example of courage, selflessness, devotion, generosity, repentance, ect.

We all have heros. I think that people admire qualities in others where they may be weak, but are inspired and desire to become more like them. It is my thought that heros are honored for their good qualities. They are men and women who live purposeful lives and regard purity and sincerity amoung the highest of virtues.