Like many of my generation, I have a weakness for hero
worship. At some point, however, we all begin to question our heroes and our
need for them. This leads us to ask: What is a hero Despite
immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a
number of characteristics that instruct and inspire people. A
hero does something worth talking about. A hero has a story of adventure to tell
and a community who will listen. But a hero goes beyond mere fame. Heroes serve
powers or principles larger than themselves. Like high voltage transformers,
heroes take the energy of higher powers and step it down so that it can be used
by ordinary people. The hero lives a life worthy of imitation.
Those who imitate a genuine hero experience life with new depth, enthusiasm, and
meaning. A sure test for would-be heroes is what or whom do they serve What are
they willing to live and die for If the answer or evidence suggests they serve
only their own fame, they may be famous persons but not heroes. Madonna and
Michael Jackson are famous, but who would claim that their fans find life more
abundant Heroes are catalysts (催化剂) for change. They have a
vision from the mountaintop. They have the skill and the charm to move the
masses. They create new possibilities. Without Gandhi, India might still be part
of the British Empire. Without Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., we might
still have segregated (实行种族隔离) buses, restaurants, and parks. It may be possible
for large scale change to occur without leaders with magnetic personalities, but
the pace of change would be slow, the vision uncertain, and the committee
meetings endless. Heroes may come from different cultures, but they ______.
A.generally share some inspiring characteristics
B.probably share some weaknesses of ordinary people
C.are often influenced by their previous generations
D.are often pursued by a large number of fans