"A Hero" by R.K. Narayan: A story of courage and growth

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"A Hero" is a short story written by R.K. Narayan. It is part of his famous collection "Malgudi Days." The story is about a young boy named Swami who faces his fears and proves his courage. The story highlights themes of bravery, fear, childhood, and personal growth.

Swami is a young schoolboy who lives with his parents in Malgudi. He is afraid of the dark and does not like sleeping alone. One day, his father reads a newspaper article about a brave boy who fought a tiger. His father tells Swami that courage is important and that every boy should be brave. Swami does not agree with his father, but his father insists that he must prove his bravery.

Swami’s father challenges him to sleep alone in his office room. Swami feels scared and does not want to do it. He tries to make excuses, but his father does not listen. Swami has no choice but to sleep alone. He feels nervous and uncomfortable. The room is dark and silent. He imagines ghosts and dangers around him.

As Swami struggles with fear, he suddenly hears a noise. He sees a figure moving in the dark. He feels terrified and reacts quickly. Without thinking, he jumps and bites the figure. He later finds out that the figure was a burglar. His actions help catch the thief. The next morning, everyone praises Swami for his bravery. His father and the police admire him for capturing the burglar. Swami becomes a hero, but he does not feel like one. He knows that he acted out of fear, not bravery.

The story shows the journey of a young boy from fear to courage. Swami starts as a timid child who is afraid of sleeping alone. He faces a difficult situation and reacts without thinking. In the end, he becomes a hero, even though he did not intend to be one. The story teaches that courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to act despite fear.

R.K. Narayan uses simple language and humor to tell a meaningful story. He captures the innocence of childhood and the challenges of growing up. The story is relatable to readers of all ages. It reminds us that true bravery comes from facing our fears. "A Hero" is a timeless story that continues to inspire and entertain readers.


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