Find the shape and tell it!
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
"Old-Timey Hero Story" by Nathan S
If we were to go back and look, a long long time ago in a place far far away from here.
Across the ocean and over normal woods where no one else cared to travel, we would find an
almost mighty, kinda-sorta-sometimes powerful knight. This knight devoted his life to finding
secondhand magic items and trading them to ordinary people, to whom nothing interesting ever
happened. Where we see him now he is coming back from a quest where he found a scroll to
raise the dead. As he was wondering why nobody else ever kept it he realized that all he could
do with it was levitate dead corpses. This fit perfectly in his collection. With him he kept a mighty
magic sword that could cut through any cloth, and in his belt he carried a hammer that could
break through any piece of glass. Around his neck he wore an amulet that allows him to read his
own thoughts super clearly, and on his finger he wore a ring that would teleport anywhere he
wanted it to go. The rest of his collection he kept on a horse named Steve that was enchanted
to never die. This sounds useful, except the horse was enchanted when it was already old and
feeble, so it can hardly move and needs a lot of rest. This is ok because our knight likes Steve
and even taught him to do tricks.
Our knight cannot go on adventures with the other knights. The sorcerers he meets just
laugh at him. No one with any money will buy his items; He just gives them away to those
without money, so at least they can have some magic. “ Why don't you find some real magic?”
The other nights jeer at him. Our knight insists that he does have real magic, just as powerful as
any of their magic questing swords. “How does a magic sword cut through cloth any different
than a normal sword?” the mages constantly question him. “Duh.” replies the night. “It does it
magically.” And they refuse to hear him but then our knight tries to explain.
“My magic isn't the most powerful or impressive” he admits “but a little magic is much
more helpful than no magic at all” the knight contentedly concludes. None of the other knights
can ever understand as most spend their entire lives searching and fighting for powers that they
will probably never find. They cannot understand our knight, so our knight simply travels around
looking for ordinary people, helping them find some magic. They are always grateful to have it,
and our knight is happy with the magic that he already has.
We always hear stories about the great heros, that are smarter or stronger or luckier
than everybody else. Why are there no stories about the heroes that are just kind of adequate?
They don't need great inspiring messages, just useful reminders that everyone sometimes
forgets. Not everybody can be the greatest and the strongest, but if you spend your whole lives
trying to become your heroes you will never appreciate how great you already are.
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24 comments:
This is a great piece Nathan! You had a huge amount of imagery and descriptions which brought your story to life. I also like how you created this piece with a strong message. It is a unique take on this story of a knight which is refreshing! Great job!
I really love the lesson that this story is conveying, to appreciate who you really are and be happy. I also like the elements of absurdity with the magic that the knight has. The knight character was very well developed and rounded in that he knew exactly who he was and wasn't ashamed of it. Overall, very good job.
A hero that's just adequate I LOVE THE CONCEPT, you're right we don't here enough stories about simplistic deed and influential people. I enjoyed your light-hearted creativity and moral of the story without there needing to be an inspiring message. Well done work with your writing and sparking up some insight to your readers!
this is a very romantic passage as it describes one of the centerpoints of the literary movements, the common man. Through this story you show how every single person can be a hero in their own way to themselves or to others.
I love how you mocked a cliché with your work, because it challenges the norm of a "stereotypical hero" and it instigates thought regarding how unrealistic heros can be portrayed in stories or novels. Your piece also instills a sense of hope and motivation that anyone, regardless of physique or popularity, can make a significant change. A truly humbling and inspiring work of art that you created. Awesome job!
This piece is so interesting, entertaining, and teaches a great lesson! I like how you made fun of the cliche hero stories and made your own "adequate" hero who was happy with who he was, even if the other knights made fun of him. He still had a purpose, brought magic to people, and was humble about it. This piece teaches people to be okay with who they are instead of always trying to be heroes. Great job!
What a amazing piece that has a great message, to stop dwelling the greatness of others and to see the greatness within ourselves. I loved the way you used knights, the ideal great hero in a story and how you showed an ordinary one who does greater by giving without asking yet he is mocked by others.
I really liked how you brought to light the idea of a "normal" hero, rather than how we usually see a hero as being someone who does extraordinary deeds. Your piece also sets a tone of hope for everyone who feels that they can never achieve the title of "hero" due to their physical or intellectual characteristics; which highlighted the idea that everyone can be a hero, and even a small deed can mean so much and make such a big impact on the world. Awesome job!
This piece redefines what kind of person a hero can be. Heroism is primarily about intentions; if you strive to do good things, even simple, seemingly meaningless tasks, then you have the qualities of a hero. The depiction of the knight's key characteristics that make him heroic, positivity, determination, and kindness, help to portray this idea. Overall, the story of the knight is a great way to dissemble the hero stereotype and show how true heroes do not have to be powerful.
This was so creative. I really liked your emphasis on having stories about common people, to remind us about lessons that can be learned from our lives. I think contrasting the story from that of a typical hero highlights that heroes can come in other forms and are still just as valid of heroes. I think this was so well thought out and had a very clear message. Great job!
I agree with the previous comment, but I love how you implemented the idea of how adequacy can transform to success and triumph through hard work and motivation. Its not bad to be adequate, its just up to you to be okay, and to accept what you are, unless you have some thirst or desire to change or adapt into something greater. Great story!!
I absolutely am behind the unconventional hero that you created in this piece. The magical items that he possessed, even the horse, were really creative because there was always a flaw to them although their advantages were clear. Of course this was more of a satirical piece, the message you left was very important in realizing that we do not have to be a jack of all trades that many of us try to pursue. Amazing job!
I love this piece, and the message, especially the last sentence. It's true, we always have flawless heroes, so it's nice to see a hero that is human, and tries his hardest, even if he isn't the stereotypical hero we are so used to hearing about.
I truly enjoyed the idea of this piece. You challenged the stereotypical hero with amazing, supernatural qualities that is typically seen throughout old and new forms of art. The satire used in your piece allowed for the message to come across light heartedly and clear, as though someone of any age and in any situation in life could read it. It simply tells us that being the best of the best and constantly reaching for the top is tiresome, like the typical knights in your piece felt. Being who you truly are and recognizing yourself as human is something we all.
I thought that this was such an interesting outlook on a common archetype and it was truly fascinating. I was intrigued while reading it because it was unlike any other "hero story" I have ever read. This was such a unique and it was so well written, thank you for sharing!
I thought that your story wonderfully portrayed a lesson to be learnt. I thought that you beautifully displayed a hero that doesn't have a high ego or a hero who has a large task to be done. And I loved how your story showed how the key to success is happiness.
Dang... I love the satire in this story, and I especially love how comedic you were able to make it. But most importantly, after reading through several pieces on this blog, I truly enjoy how much of a breath of fresh air this was. This really made me laugh, and your dialogue between the characters only makes things better. Not only that, but you even tied it all together beautifully and perfectly with the message at the end. Outstanding job!
This was a unique take on the story of a knight. I agree that there should be some stories about those heroes that are "adequate" who may have not slayed a dragon to save a princess but instead brought hope to his village through the smallest actions. I still believe everyone needs to have a hero to look up to, whoever that may be, even if their actions are great or if they small but must also recognize their own greatness. Interesting story!
I really liked how you addressed how a "normal" hero is just the common archetype that is widely used. You stated that everybody can be a hero no matter who you are or where you come from. You can be you own hero when it seems like everything is coming to an end. Nothing is holding you back but yourself. Thank you for sharing!
I thought it was hilarious due to the use of irony in the description of the magic items only to show them as "mehh." You had interesting use of imagery and the overall theme of the piece really serves a purpose. Its okay to be okay is not what your saying, but it shows that even the average is "heroic." I bet no other person has that collection of items like our knight. The knight represents people in our society, but seeking peace in individuality is worth more than any magic out there.
This is honestly one of my favorite pieces this year, I appreciate your take on "rooting for the little guy" because as much as I love reading and watching stories about extraordinary people and circumstances, the human story will always be the most relatable like the one you wrote about. Plus it makes me feel better about being slightly less than average in comparison to my peers so I appreciate your message. Thanks for sharing and great job!
I like the message behind this, not all heroes come in capes. We often live in a fantasy world where people simply think that being a hero requires monumental actions. Little did we know that even one action out of sincerity goes a longer way than one done to please others. I know this story is obviously fiction but it's a nice take on something very cliche, great job!
An interesting subversion on the "knight-who-goes-on-a-quest" cliche. This not only works as a subversion but could also work as a metaphor for our daily lives. We spend so much time with unrealistic goals that we never try to accomplish tasks that are simpler, but just as fulfilling. A great piece with a great message.
I felt you conveyed your message regarding adequate heroes successfully. The ending of the story worked especially well with this idea; the kinda-sorta-sometimes powerful knight is aware of his situation, but he makes the best of it through knowing who he is. I feel that by owning up to this realization, the knight is able to surpass all mockery and hate by taking charge of his own character. Oh, and even if some of his items are almost ordinary, he does have some useful powers: I'd love to be able to read my own thoughts super clearly or teleport myself.
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