Edna Gonzalez
Mrs. James
English 1301-04
November 7, 2013
The word courage has been used since the early 1300’s. The definition of the word means to be in a state of mind of having power to deal with or face danger, fear or pain. By looking at its roots we find the word dates back to Latin origin. In Latin, Cor- mean’s heart. The word also derives from Middle English and old French. Indications have shown that Shakespeare included the word in his play “Timon of Athens” in the early 1600’s. E.E. Cummings quoted once, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Courage is a part of growing up and standing up for what you believe is right and wrong.
In my opinion, courage is a very strong word. It makes the biggest difference when a love one encourages that word upon you. It means standing up for what you believe is right and what is wrong, regardless the consequences. In school there were always those stereotypical kids that separated themselves from the rest, sometimes thinking they were better. Some were worse than others, taking it to another level such as bullying. I have 2 younger siblings, my 17-year-old brother, Alan, turned out pretty “normal”, while my 12-year-old brother, Christian, often acts like an introvert. Alan and I always looked down on bullying; we’re constantly putting ourselves in Christian’s position. One day Alan and I were walking into school, we witnessed one of the bigger kids teasing a very skinny band kid about some rumors going around. The look on the smaller kid’s face absolutely crushed me. He turned bright red holding back his tears as the older kid called him out in public. I instantly thought of my younger brother Christian and how I would feel if anyone ever did that to him. No one deserves to get treated as if they were crap; we are all equally the same. Alan instantly said something; he blurted curse word after curse word. I stood there furiously trying comfort the younger kid as well as myself. A...