Once upon a time, there lived a young boy named Tim who loved to read superhero comics. One night, just before Tim went to bed, his father read him a special bedtime story about becoming a true hero. In this story, his father used a Marvel’s empathetic perspective and multiple Marvel characters to convey this message.
The story began with Spider-Man swinging through the bustling city. Suddenly, he heard a woman’s cry for help. Spider-Man rushed to the source of the sound and found a lady who had lost her way home. She had no money or phone to call her family, and it was already getting dark. Spider-Man could see the fear in her tearful eyes, and he comforted her while trying to find a way to help her. Eventually, he called for a cab and paid for her fare. The woman thanked Spider-Man, and he smiled knowing he had helped her feel safe and relieved.
As Tim imagined the scene, his father explained, “You see, Tim, a true hero is empathetic. They relate to the people they’re helping and try their best to understand their emotions and needs.”
Next, Tony Stark aka Iron Man made an appearance. Tony was hosting a fundraiser for a children’s charity. He was doing everything he could to make the event enjoyable and profitable. However, halfway during the night, a sad-looking kid approached him and told him he lost his toy. Tony asked him about the toy and the child eagerly described it. Tony paused the event and searched for the kid’s toy with him until they found it. The child was overjoyed, and Tony was glad he could put a smile on his face.
“Being a true hero isn’t just about stopping villains,” said Tim’s father. “It’s also about helping those in need and making them feel happy.”
Black Widow arrived next in the story. She was trying to stop a terrorist attack on a local orphanage, but when she got there, she discovered that there was more to the story. The terrorist was a former soldier who had lost his family during war, and he was now trying to steal medical equipment for his injured comrades. Black Widow wanted to stop him, but she also realized that he was just a man trying to do what he thought was right. Instead of attacking him, she attempted to talk him out of it and found a peaceful resolution.
“Being a true hero means that you are not only brave but also wise,” said Tim’s father.
Lastly, Captain America stood with his shield shining brightly. He heard cries coming from an alley and found a group of bullies harassing a small kid. Captain America intervened and asked the bullies about their behavior. He found out they were angry because their parents were struggling to make ends meet, and they took out their frustration on the kid. Captain America talked to them, listened to their problems, and found a way to help their families.
“True heroes protect those who are weaker than themselves and try to solve the root of the problem, not just the symptoms,” concluded Tim’s father.
After the story ended, Tim’s father summarized the key to take away from the story. “Being a hero isn’t just about having superpowers or fighting bad guys,” he reminded Tim. “It’s also about being empathetic, kind, wise, and having a strong sense of justice. You don’t have to wear a cape or have special abilities to become a hero, Tim. You can be a hero by simply being yourself and helping those in need.”
Tim nodded, still full of excitement from the amazing story his father had just told him. He went to bed, dreaming about the day he could emulate Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America and become a real-life hero.
