The Life-Savers
Story Summary
In this humorous story with a moral, seventy-five law enforcement officers approach the President of the Humane Society seeking a gold medal for life-saving, claiming to have saved one life each. The President, impressed by their collective achievement, awards them the medal and recommends them for jobs at life-boat stations, blissfully unaware that their success came from apprehending two outlaws rather than traditional rescue efforts. This quick read story cleverly illustrates the unexpected outcomes of actions and the importance of understanding the true nature of one's achievements.
Seventy-five men presented themselves before the President of the Humane Society, demanding the prestigious gold medal for life-saving.
"Why, yes," said the President, "with so many men involved, you must have saved a considerable number of lives. How many did you save?"
"Seventy-five, sir," replied their spokesman.
"Ah, yes, that is one each—very good work—very good work indeed," the President responded. "You shall not only receive the Society's great gold medal, but also a recommendation for employment at the various lifeboat stations along the coast. But tell me, how did you manage to save so many lives?"
The spokesman answered, "We are officers of the law and have just returned from the pursuit of two murderous outlaws."
Click to reveal the moral of the story
True heroism often lies in the commitment to uphold justice and protect others, rather than in individual acts of bravery.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of heroism and societal recognition, common in late 19th to early 20th-century American literature, where valor in service was celebrated. It resonates with the tradition of valorous tales found in folk legends and moral stories, often highlighting unexpected or ironic outcomes, reminiscent of works by authors like Mark Twain and O. Henry, who frequently explored the complexities of morality and social expectations. The narrative critiques the nature of recognition and the sometimes absurd criteria for heroism, paralleling the evolving American identity during a time of rapid social change and the valorization of law enforcement.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the importance of collective responsibility and the often-overlooked contributions of individuals working within a system. In modern life, this can be reflected in scenarios like a police department where officers may be celebrated for a successful operation, even if the success is a result of many people's efforts rather than individual heroics, reminding us that teamwork and collaboration are crucial in achieving significant outcomes.
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Other names for this story
Heroic Pursuit, Medal of Valor, Lawmen's Triumph, Coastline Guardians, Life-Saving Legends, Brave Rescuers, Outlaws and Heroes, The Rescue Brigade
Did You Know?
This story highlights the irony in how societal recognition often overlooks the collective effort of individuals who work within structured systems, such as law enforcement, to save lives, emphasizing that heroism can come in forms that are not always immediately visible or celebrated.
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Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- courageteamworkheroism
- Characters
- Seventy-five MenPresident of the Humane SocietySpokesman of the Mentwo murderous outlaws
- Setting
- Humane Society headquarterscoastlife-boat stationslaw enforcement offices