Superheroes
vs. Villains, it does sound catchy... doesn't it?
So, who is
really a Superhero? A law-abiding citizen, saving people, someone who is not
selfish at all, is always good to people with good intentions and does what he
thinks is best and just for all.
On the
other hand, Villain is someone who hurts people, does bad deeds,
kidnaps, kills n so on. (It reminds me, we do have a big list of bad deeds but
such a short one for good deeds)
Going by
that, we can say in one short line that Superhero is good/great guy... and Villain is
the bad guy who should take the fall and get bashed up real good.
I won't
blame you, if you thought so too, in fact, I used to do the same. Especially
after all the mentoring from Disney, Cartoon Network and nowadays, Warner Bros
and Marvel. This lead to the inception of an idea in our little minds: a
Superhero will bear pain, he will sacrifice and he will repay everyone's debt. And
yet, never say a word. Doesn't it sound familiar to you? At some point of time,
didn't all we ever want to do was to become Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, Power
Puff girls, Avengers or Captain Planet?
Of Course we all did, and look at the smile and respect which shows up when we think
about them. And, why it shouldn't? They've earned it.
But the
question which tricked me out today was, "They are what they are, but why
do we need to become one? Is it for the Special Superhuman Powers, Love,
Respect, and Admiration?”... Well this question reminds me
of Johnny from Fantastic Four, he certainly did want that... but
later on, even he realized. So, why haven't we yet?
Is it
because he got it, he lived it and he came to know consequences... May be Yes,
But, we still haven't, because we still don't have it, we haven't lived it and
certainly, we haven't learned the consequences.
So may be,
either let's wait to get bitten by a spider, ride a comet or may be fall into a
well full of bats to get powers. Or, just try to become a superhero into our
own, try to implement things which we like the most about
our favorite Superheroes and live up to them. And, we all know Former
isn't going to happen anytime sooner and Latter is what some of us do all the
time. Try to help, try to save, try to become the well-wisher and at the same
time, try to hide a bit here and there.
Did doing so
really make you a Superhero? Or did it really make me a superhero?
The answer
is No.
A very good
friend of mine said a line to me, "There's just a thin line in
between being a Superhero and a Villain", quoting an example from
Hindu Mythology, Rama and Ravaana. One has to agree, that Ravaana was the most
learned person ever, but we all kind of know what he ended up with.
And this
really made me think... have I been a Superman or a Joker?
For a long
time, I've been gulping down my pain, sorrows, put up a smile and laugh even
when I was crying inside. All this for what... To become a superhero?
In
addition to this, tried not to share, tried not to disrespect and specially,
not let anyone know that yes, I can be hurt too. And yet, help all of them,
pull them through thick and thins, always do best for them, advice them... All
this for just being a Superhero... which in one sense does sound more like one
from the definition I had in mind from start. But, all of this at what price?
The price
was, losing someone I always cared for, losing her trust, her faith and her
love. And, I was always wrong with the whole definition of a Superhero. I was
never a Superhero, I wasn't a Villain either... but, I was something we all
like to call a Jerk!
In this
whole transformation from being an ugly duckling to bright white swan, I ended
up being a mouse.
And now, I
realize... Superhero isn't about special powers, fighting crime or beating up
villains. But it’s simply about accepting your weakness, trying to overpower
your fear, and being honest and loving with the people you love/like. It's
about, never standing so tall that you cast a shadow and yet, not even this low
that one might crush you.
And, when
I look back into memories of Superheroes, I have from childhood. I realize that
this definition actually makes sense. It’s a different story that in cartoons,
the guy actually liked and loved everybody and so he used to fly around to help
everyone he could. But at the same time, he stood tall against all the bad
deeds and never let them crush him and yet, he was always happy to get a lesson
or two from the ones he loved.
I wish if
I could say it more indirectly, but it's time to get down dirty and straight.
We all have been jerks at one or other point in time in our lives. But, it's
never too late. I just realized and I am going to make this a worthwhile.
I hope even you find peace sometime soon and make up with ones you lost.
Love to
Readers and especially, to my lovely editor/friend.
