“How do I look?”
A five-year-old me asked my grandma as I stepped out of my room wearing bright blue tights, a red cape and a pair of red wellington boots. On my chest was an unmistakable red “S” on a yellow shield background, a symbol that many boys my age are familiar with.
“Just like superman” my grandma, who had bought me the costume, said with a smile and tender fondness that made me beam with excitement. I was now faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I was superman, the superhero I had idolised ever since I could walk. And when she said that I could go to the park as “the man of steel”, I was beyond excited.
“I’m ready to go!” I said, and at that, my grandma grabbed her tote bag and took my hand. As we exited our flat, I kept tugging at her arm as I couldn’t wait. At some point, she just had to let go to let me to run off on my own, watching as my red cape flowed behind me. The word “happiness” could not even begin to describe how I felt at the time.
When we arrived that hot summer afternoon, the playground was packed with noisy, excited children. Their feet thudded on rubber tiles as they joyfully ran around playing tag, all the while others climbed, jumped, and slid on whatever they could find. I took one last glance at my grandma before I took off running again, getting lost in the chaos of other children. It didn’t take long for some of them to notice the chubby five-year-old dressed as superman.
“Superman!” someone yelled out as others looked and asked about my costume. I felt like the coolest kid there. That was until I heard the jeers. There were only a few at first, but they started to build up. Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by several other kids who were making fun of me. Then, the pushing and pulling started. “Grab his cape!” One of them yelled and just like that, I found myself stuck in a frenzy with other five, six and perhaps even seven-year-olds who seemed to be out for blood.
My grandma picked up on what was happening and intervened, scolding whoever she could before they ran off. When the dust settled, I realised that my prized cape was nowhere to be found, leaving me sad and distraught. When the day came to an end, I remember feeling like I never wanted to set foot in a park again, constantly sulking about the situation that I was just in.
I recall that I did the only thing that I could do to feel better: rewatch my VCD copies of the Superman movies from the late 1970s and episodes from various animated series. There was a point where I saw that even a character who was written to be invincible and one of the most powerful beings on Earth gets knocked down. A lot. But he always got back up. It didn’t matter if he was up against giant robots, aliens, natural or villain-made disasters, beings that rivalled his powers, or even Kryptonite, the substance that serves as the man of steel’s weakness. Regardless of what it was, he had to get up, learn, and face it rather than sulk. It was at that point in my life that I learnt one of the most important lessons that I could learn: the importance of being able to pick yourself up when you get knocked down.
I never did end up finding the bullies and settling the score, nor did I ever get the chance to locate my beloved cape. But I managed to find a way to get back up with the thought that if superman could face things that were sometimes even bigger or more powerful than he was, along with his own weaknesses and whatever difficult situation lay ahead, then so could I.
Now, as an adult, that lesson in persistence I learnt through Superman is still as applicable to me as it was when I was five, and I have never forgotten. I’ve learnt that there are and will always be difficult situations ahead, but they are not impossible to overcome. As people, we may not have the character’s powers and abilities, but his traits like courage, persistence and being able to do the right thing in the most dire and difficult of situations can be learnt from and applied during the toughest of times. So, whether you’ve faced an incident with a bully or group of bullies, or perhaps life is just providing more losses than wins, just remember that although you can get knocked down, you can definitely get back up.
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For today’s topic, The Young Post asked the question “Who is a fictional character that is important to you? How do they inspire you?” And we would love to hear your take on it! Whether you have an essay, anecdote or even character analysis, feel free to make a submission! It can range between 300 words and 600 words and is open to students and writers who would like a chance to use their creativity and writing skills to give their take on the given topic. Submissions can be sent to theyoungpost.mpd@gmail.com until June 1.
This photo shows Superman that I keep on my computer desk. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
