On Courage

"So you think I am courageous?"
"Yes I do."
"Perhaps I am. But that's because I've had some inspiring teachers. I'll tell you about one of them.

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Lisa who was suffering from a rare and serious disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he was willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I' ll do it if it will save Lisa.
"As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a blood next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. "Will I start to die right away?"

"Being young the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he had to give her all of his blood.
"Yes, I've learned courage," she added, "because I've had inspiring teachers.

Dan Millman