Ravi's Bravery

Question

A. Gautam

Ravi did not want to go to the beach again.

"Have you ever thought about skiing?" he had asked his parents in March. There was still snow somewhere in the mountains. Why did they insist on swimming?

"Don't be silly," Mr. Gupta said to his son. "What is fun without a little sun, son?"

That is how Ravi's family went to the beach for spring break. The first day, Ravi sulked as he buried his nose in books and the sun warmed his back.

He was endlessly bored and took his eyes off the paperback to take a look at the blue water. He noticed something unusual. It was a hat and probably two hands. Without thinking much, Ravi rushed to the waves.

Ravi was by the little girl before the lifeguard. He dove in and pulled the child out of the force of water. When Ravi carried the frightened girl on his arms and brought her to the shore, a crowd, including his parents had gathered.

"Oh, thank you," a woman hugged Ravi and took the little girl on her arms. "Thank you for saving my daughter." The girl and her mother were crying and shivering.

Ravi's heart was beating faster and louder as he tried to calm down. When the little girl said "thank you" in her small and sweet voice, Ravi felt a surge of happiness he had never felt before.

Answer 1

Despite his initial reluctance to be at the beach, Ravi's decision to rush into the water had transformed his entire experience. The joy of saving a life outweighed any boredom he had felt moments before. For Ravi, it wasn't just about the thrill of the rescue; it was about the gratitude in the little girl's eyes and the relief on her mother's face.

As the crowd dispersed, applauding him for his bravery, Ravi's parents pulled him into a tight embrace. Mr. Gupta looked down at his son, pride shining in his eyes. "You did something truly remarkable today, Ravi," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You acted quickly and selflessly."

Mrs. Gupta wiped away a few tears as she whispered, "You are our hero."

Ravi, who had always wanted to be adventurous but often held back by the fear of the unknown, realized in that moment that true bravery comes not from seeking adventure for oneself but from stepping up to help others when it matters most.

As they walked back to their beach towels, the warm sun felt less oppressive. Ravi started to feel a sense of belonging at the beach he hadn’t anticipated. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink, Ravi reflected on the day. He not only discovered the thrill of bravery but also the joy of helping someone in need. The fear he once held about the ocean transformed into respect and admiration.

Going back to swimming was no longer such a daunting thought. Perhaps the next time he would get in the water, he could focus on enjoying the waves instead of hiding behind books. And who knew? Each wave might carry with it another chance to be brave.

With a newfound determination, he proposed to his parents, "How about we take some swimming lessons next? I want to be even better at it."

His parents exchanged proud glances. "That sounds great, Ravi," his mother replied, her eyes sparkling.

Ravi smiled, feeling excited about the future, knowing that bravery isn’t just about grand gestures; it’s about small choices that change lives. It was then he understood—true adventures could unfold anywhere, even at the beach.