We love something extraordinary, just a larger than life figure, it seems. Adult and children are equally left bewildered about such characters. In today’s world, it is another craze of our generation. It is a good thing to help in understanding the heroes.
Superman, Spiderman, Batman… to kid’s Yokai, you name it. Characters are countless. Every distinct culture must have their own characters or myth, which are larger than life. By the way, we all are fascinated by such stories and character.
I still remember the day I introduced such type of character to my children during our ‘story time’. The name was Samson-the strongest person recorded in the Bible. My kids are mesmerized by the story as I was narrating. Each short pause in the narration was waited by anxious faces. They have seen much cartoon characters and superheroes movies but not a natural power, who don’t need extra catalyst to incite his power. It was different.
There is a secret to Samson’s power. His hair should not be cut. A razor must not touch his head. As an adult, Samson’s strength allowed him to tear apart a lion with his bare hands and to defeat many of their enemies* with supernatural acts of strength. There comes Delilah, the harlot, who was used by the enemy to subdue him. Samson falls on the beauty of Delilah. They captured him, cut off his tresses, and was blinded.
After a time, the enemies chose to bring Samson out of prison to make sport of him. He was brought into the arena during a festival where about 3,000 men and women were in attendance.
Samson repented and begged forgiveness before his God, and also to renew his strength. God did approve his prayer. He renewed his strength but not his eyesight. He died there with many of his enemies. That’s to it. He died there amongst his enemies beaucse he despise his purpose.
My children have so many questions to ask regarding this ‘very strong man’. Would he be stronger than Hulk or Spiderman or Superman….and so on. Parents, who have experience their curiosity level, will know clearly. “Can we be as strong as him, if we didn’t cut our hair?” The reply was, “I don’t think so, No” But that’s the joy of telling a story to children.
Even in our young ages, we already have a craze for something larger than life. Although for kids, it is to have control over their friends, to be the boss. It is not a wonder that the so-called Power Blocs of developed countries are vying for making armaments, which could subdue the poorer countries. I agree, it does give them huge interest in the political arena. For man, that is the largest thing they can achieve in a life time.
Now coming back to our Superhero(s), I personally appreciate when they included the famous line, “With great power come great responsibilities”, in the Superhero movies. It does teach us many things. Although there is no such thing as Superhero, except for Samson.
It is a good way of teaching the children about responsibilities and the fruit of sin.
*Philistines, the enemy of the Israelites at that time. (Judges 16)
