A Hero

Alex Baer

World Lit. Honors

Ms. Oliver

25 April 2014

A Hero

“But mom! This isn’t just any ordinary blanket!” And it wasn’t.  This was 100% cotton, machine washable, candy apple red, with his favorite superhero on it. He had saved up for months, and he even smashed his piggy bank to get the change. He was not going to give up that easily.

“Mom!” cried the boy. “This is super awesome, and my blanket doesn’t work anymore”

His mother looked at him, and smiled, “Oh, all right, Billy. If that’s the case, I shouldn’t stop you. It’s your money after all”.

Billy gave a wide grin, exposing his crooked teeth. He grabbed his jacket, his precious handful of bills and ran outside. As he walked across the street to the store, elation flowed through him. Visions of comfortable sleep and jealous friends brought him great satisfaction. He would sleep well that night. Although he was preoccupied with a million thoughts in his head, he knew when to focus and walk into the store parking lot. He had come there so often, he could get there with his eyes closed. The same old street. The same narrow parking lot. The same bold neon letters of the toy store, reflecting brilliantly in the night. But something was new. As he was approaching the store’s entrance, he caught a glimpse of someone next to the door.

This man was definitely not the type of guy to go to a toy store. Grey hair, a dusty beard, and a wrinkled face layered in specs of dirt and grime. He sported a tattered leather coat, reeking of stale cigars and alcohol. He was cradling himself, shivering in the cold night air. Billy had lived his whole life in a rich, sheltered community. He could walk to a toy store by himself at his tender age of seven because he had never seen a man like this before. Billy slowly walked towards the threshold of the store, trying as hard as he could to avoid eye contact with the stranger. His hands felt clammy, and although the man was sitting down, Billy felt his presence looming over him. He clutched his money tight in his hands, grasping the bills so hard they became as crumpled as a used napkin.

But the man saw the money.

“Hey there, boy, spare some change for an old man?” the old man sputtered, each word thinned by the freezing night air.

Billy jumped as though he had been electrocuted. He glanced at the old man, then quickly averted his gaze and ran inside the store.

His elation slowly came back to him as he scurried over to the bedroom aisle of the store. He recognized the blanket immediately. With glee, Billy buzzed over to the blanket and admired it. It was everything he imagined, and he could not wait to enjoy it. He slowly caressed the blanket, taking it all in: The feel of cotton, the vibrant red color, and the smiling face of the super hero. He would sleep well that night. As he waited in line with his new blanket, he looked at the wad of bills in his hand. Suddenly, Billy was overcome with a feeling of guilt. He thought about the man, who looked hungry and miserable. Maybe I should have given him some money, he thought. Then he looked back at the blanket, sporting the candy red glow and the face of his favorite hero. Billy thought about the months of saving and earning he had endured, and the anticipation he had been building up for this one moment. Before he knew it, he was in the front of the line. Billy paused, torn between his empathy and desire. Billy gazed at the blanket, admiring every curve and edge of the blanket. At that moment, as he stared at the face of his hero and idol, he knew the choice he would make.

Billy handed the cashier the money, grabbed his precious blanket, and slowly walked outside.

As he stepped outside into the cool night air, he saw his house, a speck way across the street. It was getting late, and his mother would be worried if stayed out too late. But Billy still had one more thing to do.

Billy slowly walked up to the old man, reaching out to give the blanket as an offering. The old man looked up, and the two men look at each other for a second. The old man smiled, and gently accepting Billy’s offering. No “thank you’s” were said, yet none were needed. A million thank you’s, praises, and hugs reflected through the eyes and smile of the old man.

Billy took one last look at the blanket, looking at the smile of his favorite superhero. After all his time looking at the blanket, Billy saw something new. The smile of the hero was different. It was a smile of approval. With a grin, Billy turned his head, and started home.

When he arrived home, he lugged himself upstairs to his room. Billy collapsed in his bed, deep in thought  about the old man; the happy look in his eye, and the warmth he must be feeling. As he gently closed his eyes, he forgot all about the mediocre blanket that rested on top of him. He slept well that night.

Analysis:

In my story, I am representing the theme of overcoming moral challenges. In, One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov is faced with many moral challenges, such as stealing food, slacking off at work, and smuggling metal. For example, Shukhov wrestles with his morals when he is trying to sneak in the metal, thinking, “he could get ten days in the can. But a knife like that could bring something in. It could mean more bread” (105). In the end, Shukhov sets aside his personal fear for the betterment of his gang members and his future self.

Although my stories protagonist does not face such monumental decisions, Billy, like Shukhov, must wrestle with his morals, and let kindness overshadow his greed. In both Shukhov and Billy’s scenarios, both protagonists are able to overcome their desire for personal gain to help the less fortunate. In both cases, we also see how these kind deeds end up bringing happiness. For Shukhov, this happiness comes from having his gang members like him, and the personal satisfaction he receives from doing honest work. In Billy’s scenario, he achieved happiness by being proud of his empathetic deed. Billy was so proud, his happiness made him forget about his original monetary desire. Billy “Forgot all about the mediocre blanket that rested on top of him”.  This story proudly reflects the themes and morals of the classic novel, One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich.