“But,” said Mrs. Morris, “suppose he could have marched by a smooth road, straight from France to Italy.” “Why, he would not have been a hero at all, if he had not something to conquer.” “And the will to conquer it,” added Mrs. Morris with a smile. “ That is just what I want you to notice. We cannot imitate, if we would, the precise actions of these great conquerors; but we _can_ copy their energy and strength of purpose, and our daily life furnishes opportunities to cultivate these qualities.” “I do not see how, mother.” “The life of a little school-boy presents some difficulties--does it not, Charley?” “Yes, mother,” he replied, glancing ruefully at his Arithmetic. “Then _there_ is something to conquer, and in the conquest you can grow strong and brave. Like Napoleon _you_ can never be a hero, unless you have some obstacles to overcome.” “I wish the difficulties would not always come when I feel so cross.” “The crossness is the very first thing you need to conquer. There is a proverb on that subject: “He that is slow to anger, is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.” “That is an important thing to remember,” said Mrs. Morris. “If we are ever to attain anything great or good in life, our career of conquest must begin in our own hearts. Until all unruly feelings and passions are under control, our efforts toward knowledge, or anything else that is worth the winning, will be of little avail. What people call adverse fate, is the result of their own faults and failings.” “Do you think one can always help feeling unpleasantly, mother?” “I think one can learn either to put down all disagreeable feelings, or to work bravely on and never mind them. But what lessons do you most frequently have trouble with, Charley?” “Oh! this arithmetic, mother, it is the only thing that troubles me.” “I will write on your book, two mottos which I wish you to look at, whenever you are fretted, or discouraged by difficulties. The first is:--‘Every boy may be a hero.’ And that you may remember what sort of heroism is to be sought, I will add this verse: ‘_He that ruleth his spirit, is greater than he that taketh a city_.’” End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Every-day heroism, by Anonymous