|
Mars is my namesake. We both have our Phobos and Deimos, "Fear" and "Panic". His qualms swarm above him, while mine are deep inside. Still, there is courage.
Courage is the part of man that dares succeed in the face of danger. There is always a fear in man; the dread of pain; the fright of failure; the terror of the unknown. You can retrieve moral fibre by
looking into the eyes of your trepidation with the encouragement of your friends.
Like that extraordinary day in the glowing, multi-coloured and festive assembly hall. It is my last school day at Western Academy of Beijing. My equals are chattering and their
cheerful voices echo of the walls. Crispy apple pies, funny face balloons, blind man's bluff. Munching, blowing, running. We are waiting for the Head Master to give out the golden award certificates. As
Caesar he calls up his legions to give them their spoils, once ordered we march up to receive our rewards. "Remember Marcus, stay calm and look at your audience". "You can do it" my
parents espouse. Suddenly my exposed skin feels knobbly. "Marcus Fischer Mellbin, 4E!". It feels as if my body is drained from water as I parade up to harvest the fruit of my labour.
"Marcus has asked to make a speech" heralds the leader. Up from the hill I look intently at my listeners with some worries. Will I make any mistakes? If the spectators laugh will it hurt my
spirit? And what will my classmates say?
Word for word I calm down. Appreciation, teachers, schoolmates, happiness, learning, hereafter. My audience's silence is golden, but my speech is platinum. As I close up my fellow
legions clap. The academy photographer takes a snapshot of the proud sojourners. The wonder of victory is in the air. Several more speeches have followed. But with that speech I learned to address an
audience. My parents helped me overcome my stage fright. It is easier to surmount your fears with the aid of your friends. Sometimes, you just do not want to let them down.
As usual it all started in the dark, hot and sweaty gym, better known by my friends and me as "The Underworld". Down in the exercise room we struggle to keep up with the
training. Weights, push-ups, back-flips. Arms, shoulders, legs. All we want is the order to leave this Hades room. When our Persephone finally lets her subjects go we flee faster than imps to the
changing rooms. Light flitters through the oversized windows of the giant dome building holding the swim stadium. The light blinds my eyes as the cool air moves over my skin. A great column seems to rise
up above the clouds. The stone pillar holds a scaffold ten meters above the ground. Together my comrades and I start jumping from the lower platforms.
"Xianzai!" I shiver because it is now. "Ni hao zuo" my teacher adds. I have done well. I know I have to take it to the top to complete the major challenge as a high diver. "You can do it. Just remember to be stiff as a nail." my dad encourages.
I start my long climb up the ladders a little nervous but watchful. As I ascend my spirit nearly fails me. Close to the top I look down. Everything below me starts to get wavy. My
dad gives me a hard but persuasive pat on the back and says, "Come on, you are nearly there". At the apex I peer down at the deep and dark water. It does not look very welcoming. I am afraid of
failing. As the tower of Babel the outcome is unknown. I slowly make my way out to the edge of the podium. Once in jumping position I await my teachers' signal. "It's now or never". "Hao
le!". I leap. Eyes closed. Muscles tight. I hurl through the air and hit the water. The liquid breaks the fall in a fraction of a second. Although it feels as if my eardrums are about to pop the
sound of clapping reaches them. The pleasure of success fills me. Three years of training has given great results. Once out of the cold water my friends give me a warm rejoice.
These two experiences taught me an important lesson. Human life depends on resolve. Without audacity I would not be the main character in a play or vaulting down a half-pipe. Even
the bravest souls can experience panic. Every individual can gain valour by facing his/her weakness with the aid of a friend.
|
