“A Real Hero,” Friend, September 2018
A Real Hero
The author lives in Florida, USA.
Dad’s hero was the best one of all.
“I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in His ways” (Children’s Songbook, 78).
Illustration by Jeff Harvey
Jake could hear his little brother and sister arguing in the other room.
“Give it back! It’s mine!” Jared shouted.
“No! I had it first!” Lily argued back.
This sounds like a job for Super Jake! thought Jake.
In his superhero cape, Jake ran down the hall. He saw Jared and Lily arguing over a new toy truck. Jake leaped onto the couch. He raised his arms straight into the air.
“Super Jake says no fighting!”
He jumped off the couch, pushed Jared, and grabbed the truck from Lily. He held it up high so they couldn’t reach it. Super Jake had stopped the fight! He had saved the day! He was a hero.
So why were Jared and Lily crying?
“What’s going on?” Dad said as he came into the room.
“Jake pushed me!” Jared said.
“And he took the truck!” Lily said.
Dad frowned. “Jake, is this true?”
“I’m Super Jake,” he said. “I had to stop the fighting.”
“So you were being a hero?”
“Yep! And heroes do whatever it takes to stop the fighting.”
“Hmm,” said Dad. He patted the couch for Jake to sit down. “You know that superheroes on TV and in movies aren’t real,” he said. “They’re just pretend.”
Jake looked at his cape and nodded. “Yeah. But I like to play like I’m a superhero.”
“I know, and nothing is wrong with that,” Dad said. “But let me tell you about a real hero. He is the greatest hero ever. He has saved everyone.”
Jake’s eyes grew wide. “What powers does he have?”
“Well, he could walk on water, stop storms, and heal people who were sick.”
Jake’s mouth fell open. “Really? I bet he beat up a lot of bad guys!”
“Actually, he never hurt people. He taught them to be kind. He showed them how to love and help each other.”
That didn’t sound like any of Jake’s favorite superheroes. But he did sound familiar.
“Dad,” Jake asked, “are you talking about Jesus?”
Dad smiled. “Yes. Jesus Christ is my hero. He saved us all from sin if we repent. He set a perfect example for us to follow. And because of Him, we will all live again after we die.”
“I knew that’s who you were talking about!” Jake said. “I’ve heard some of those stories about Jesus before!”
“And those stories are true,” Dad said. “Jesus Christ is real. He’s not a made-up character. He lives! He is kind to everyone, and He wants us to follow His example.”
“So I can be like Jesus if I’m kind to other people?” Jake asked.
“That’s right! And I know you have what it takes to be a real hero!” Dad said as he ruffled Jake’s hair.
Jake smiled. He knew what he needed to do. He went to Jared and Lily.
“I’m sorry for pushing you,” he told Jared. “And I’m sorry for taking the truck,” he told Lily. “Maybe we can all share it.” They sat in a triangle and pushed the truck back and forth to each other.
Jake couldn’t stop smiling. Super Jake saves the day! he thought. And this time, he felt like a real hero.