Our Hero Arrives

It was during the summer, seven years ago, that we found our Hero.  The Ranger and Rat Child had forrayed into the countryside in an attempt to track Evil Squirrel movements.  They had also had reports on an individual that seemed promising for the Forces of Good.  Little did they suspect what they would truly find.  The farm was fairly rundown; the people unkind to their four-leggeds.  Rat Child and The Ranger stopped at the pleas of two of the four-leggeds, canines.  They told of the cruelty of the humans, the lack of care and the constant harassment by the younger humans.  The canines asked Rat Child and The Ranger to take their precious little one to a place of safety and love.  Upon meeting this little one, The Ranger knew instantly that something was very different and special concerning him and agreed to bring him back.  It was decided that he would be named Stars for the symbol of hope and guidance which he represented.  Stars continued to grow; running faster, learning more and developing special skills.  At an early age, Stars began to exhibit the defining characteristics of a Hero.  Soon he became known as Stars the Mighty.

Sidekicks Wanted

Girl America here, stopping by after saving a small kitten from almost certain disaster involving prickly pears and a chocolate popsicle.  (Don't ask.)  Stars the Mighty is a hero I admire because, not only does he use his heart and extraordinary powers, he uses his brains.  He has a team.  Teams are important.  Evil villains usually tend to focus their diabolical schemes on destroying the hero.  In the meantime, the team members (I tend to prefer sidekicks as they draw less attention) can sneak in and save the day.  Why do you think Heroes have such flashy constumes?  Trick of the eye and a distraction.  Now, what makes a good sidekick?  The same things that make good team members:  wisdom, loyalty, integrity, courage, and a talent (some would also argue for good snacks).  Everyone has these somewhere inside them, like small seeds.  They grow if you give them Light (i.e., the Forces of Good).  Some choose to develop their gifts for evil.  Squirrels do that.  They look sweet and cuddly, that's their costume.  It lets them live longer and do more damage.  Very clever.  If they appeared as a hurking 200 story tall green monster with claws and teeth, well, we all know how that turns out.  Instant targets.  But if evil seems glamorous or (worse yet because it induces apathy) harmless, then good people, Sidekicks, and even Heroes, sometimes miss the fact that they are indeed evil.  They let them live and sometimes even feed them peanuts.  Dastardly plot!!!  So remember, as Stars the Mighty said, you know heroes (and by extension sidekicks, teammembers, and all good) by  their smell and taste.  Thanks again Stars the Mighty!  You do amazing work out there in the West.  Always proud to know you and share the same skies.