The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

MASARRAH AL-SABER
FAT-HIAH AQLAN, TEACHER
Ajyal Al-Ula School, Ibb Governorate, Yemen
In my opinion, bravery is not just how we deal with our own situations. It can
also be our reactions to what we see in front of us and how we act upon them.
This is what happened to me on a day I will never forget.
I live in a small, beautiful, ancient city, Jiblah, with my family. One day, I
woke up early to the sound of birds chirping, and the weather was lovely and
clear. It rained, so my mother brought me a cup of hot milk. After drinking it,
she asked me to go and get fresh bread from the bakery. I left the house, and
on my way to the bakery, I saw an old blind man trying to cross the street to
the other side. The street was crowded with cars, and the old man started
crossing while feeling the ground with his cane.
“I FELT LIKE I HAD
DONE A BRAVE ACT BY
SAVING THE OLD MAN.”
I noticed a speeding car heading towards him, and without hesitation, I hurried
towards him, raising my hand as a signal to the approaching car to stop.
Thankfully, the car stopped, and I reached the old man, holding his hand and
helping him cross to the other side of the street. He told me he wanted to reach
the grocery store. I accompanied him to the place he wanted, and he thanked
me after we arrived. I then headed back to the neighborhood.
Afterwards, I went to the bakery to buy bread. On my way back home, I
realized that I was running late and that my mother would be worried about
me. I started walking faster to reach home. When I entered the house, my
mother started yelling, asking why I was late, and demanding an explanation.
I sat with my mother and explained what had happened with the old man.
I told her that I was afraid the car might hit him, and I couldn’t find anyone
on the street to help him, so I decided to assist him myself. I also reminded
her that she taught my siblings and me that we should always help the elderly.
I was delayed because I escorted him to his destination.
My mother hugged me and said she was sorry. She told me that I did a good
deed, and that this was how she raised me, to help anyone in need on the
street, whether they are older people, children, or anyone else who needs our
assistance. I went to my room feeling proud of myself. I felt like I had done a
brave act by saving the old man. I shared what happened with my friends and
teachers, and everyone praised my actions.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
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