What is a true hero really,
the very core of every fantasy.
Probably of every book and story told,
no matter how new or old.

Is it a knight with perfect manners,
with armor and colourful banners,
righteous motives kind and pure,
of a humble but glorious nature.

Or is it more the creature slayer,
how arises from desperate prayer,
but is being the most powerful not a danger,
would you really trust a killer machine stranger?

Probably it is the person at the right place,
either by accident or sent from outer space,
doing the right thing in this very epic moment,
and wins against his opponent.

The story of Hercules tells us of heroic exam,
a torturous schedule over quite a timespan,
Ulysses became a hero by not finding home,
he stayed alive, but not alone.

Chosen by a god, an aspect, a mystical being,
standing firm, when basic instincts would tell us just „Fleeing!“.
Potential signs of stupidity cannot be neglected,
but once for sure, from failure a hero is not affected.

But what is the essence of a true and real hero,
most important characteristic, flight instinct zero,
why else would I face a dragon with a double dagger set,
and have not surrendered yet.

It is a person who cares what is happening,
probably for good and evil, the hero has a thing.
But in real life and the better stories, there is no right,
it is to choose the place in a greater fight.

Moral might be helpful for a hero as well,
but some heroes, ended in an afterlife hell.
Either by cleverness or heart,
in the very moment, a hero has to be smart.

No matter why he or she is special in the heroic act,
the transition to a hero is in fact,
this one, considerably dangerous, most often life risking action,
fully convinced of the route, hopefully after some reflection.

That turns the table, to an overall better situation,
not always that easy an evaluation.
A tortle monk hitting a mindflayer with his full body weight,
because he failed the climbing action straight.

Disturbing that world ending ritual, a true heroes act,
but like this, not that heroic in fact!
A mother who manages to smile after a working day,
herding four children, and keeps them on their way,

less boom and lazershow, same iron will
but for me a true hero still
So, if a Sphinx once asks you, what is a true hero,
my answe is, whoever dares the right thing to do.

No shiny, no banners ,no armor required,
courage and humbleness highly desired,
A tempting title, with the burden of expectation,
often close to impossible in realization.

Choose the path of a hero, if you are made for it,
or stay in the second line and chill a bit.
Not every problem needs a supernatural,
but a reasonable person making a call