We all love reading about youthful heroes in action, especially when they use their powers to punish the wrong-doers. It’s the combination of the tools they use to defeat the enemy, their bravery despite all challenges, and their persuasive communication that attracts us.
As I grew up, my heroes changed. From the simple Jerry who fights Tom to protect himself to PJ Masks who used their brawn and technology, and Spiderman who protected NY City from criminals, et all. When I was 8, I began to read novels, I began to love a different kind of hero.
My current superhero, has titian hair, keen blue eyes, and is a slender girl who uses her bravery, logical reasoning clues, and pleasant communication skills to unmask the wrong-doers. Yes, you guessed it right - I am talking about Nancy Drew. My letter to her would be like this:
June 5, 2023
Bengaluru, India.
Dear Nancy Drew,
At the tender age of 8, unconsciously you brought about a change in my behavior – I began to take your book to bed instead of the soft toy. Were my parents and grandparents glad? Yes, but for my dad who was getting worried that I was staying awake beyond my lights-off time. But, what else could I do when every sequence, every page, and every chapter were so interesting that it seemed to defy gravity and preferred to stay open in my hands than stay closed on the side table of my bed?
You are my hero because
Positive Role Model: Through your intelligence, bravery, and independence, you empower girls to embrace their strengths and ambitions, defy stereotypes and challenge traditional gender roles, know their capabilities, and pursue their passions fearlessly. I have been able to change my parent’s perspective that my career goals are about my skills and knowledge more than my gender.
Determination: Your determination to never give up until the mystery is solved has taught me not to give up easily. Your remarkable analytical skills and the ability to connect what seems like unrelated pieces of information is something that I’m trying to gain. I have learned the road to success would want me to remain focused on my goals, remain a keen observer, broaden my skill-sets, and work together as a team. Today, apart from my academics, I am learning chess, swimming, dancing, and playing the kalimba.
Curiosity: Your thirst for knowledge, eagerness to learn and explore new things, and zeal to uncover the mystery behind each case are simply phenomenal. At school, our informal ‘young-gals-gang’, inspired by you, has created our own crypto-language to pass messages secretly. In Bengaluru, we now visit mystery rooms/escape rooms and try to decipher the clues in those rooms and escape within 45 minutes.
Emotional Stability: You have inspired us to use our intellectual abilities not only to solve the mundane problems in our textbooks but also to use them across all our activities – sports, co-curricular activities, arts, and hobbies. You have helped me fall in love with vocabulary and I believe the same helps in communicating clearly and concisely. And yes, I’m learning to be tactical than emotional when I do my activities.
Observant and a good listener: I learned to become observant after reading Nancy Drew. Observing surrounding helps in improving memory and becoming reliable. I am now more compassionate towards my family, friends and the community around me. When I am a leader, I am open to hearing the views and recommendations of my teammates and mentor as well as give credit where need be.
You are, undoubtedly, my hero. You weave a magic especially on young women readers and imbibes in us that will help us thrive in the 21st century. You are a true hero beyond the pages of your books and will always be a symbol of inspiration.
Please convey my sincere gratitude to your creator Carolyn Keene, who transformed me from just an ordinary reader to an ardent admirer of you. And in real life into a person aspiring to learn and apply forensic technology to keep the criminals, offenders, wrong-doers, et all under check. Thanks for inspiring me.
Truly yours
Dhamathi Suresh
7th Grade, Orchids – The International School,
Nagarbhavi 2nd stage, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560-072
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