The Brave Little Boy

During a fierce battle along the border, I was on duty with the Colonel, assigned to set up defensive positions near the canal. The weather was severe, with heavy rain and mud making movement extremely difficult. The surrounding villages had been evacuated, yet one herdsman remained behind to care for his cattle, accompanied by his thirteen-year-old son who insisted on helping his father. The boy spent the entire day assisting his father, milking cows, guiding the animals, and ensuring nothing went wrong. Despite the chaos around them, the boy remained calm, disciplined, and dedicated to his duties.

On the first day, after long hours of digging trenches and organizing our artillery positions, we were exhausted. The herdsman and his son kindly offered us fresh milk, reviving our spirits. Soon after, enemy shells began falling near our positions. Our artillery unit was far from the canal, and we needed to transport it quickly using a jeep. However, the slippery, muddy terrain caused one of the jeep’s wheels to sink into a pit. As we struggled to free it, urgent messages arrived via wireless that the enemy had crossed the canal and was advancing with tanks, threatening to break through our lines.

Amid the chaos, I noticed the herdsman’s son dragging a large wooden plank tied with a rope. With teamwork, we placed the plank under the jeep, giving it traction. The jeep jolted free, and we could resume our advance. We praised the boy for his courage and intelligence, amazed at how a child could contribute so effectively during such a critical moment.

As darkness approached, enemy forces occupied some of our trenches, and the situation became increasingly perilous. Our captain divided the infantry into smaller groups to counterattack from different directions. Despite heavy enemy fire, exhaustion, and casualties among our ranks, we stayed determined to prevent the enemy from advancing. During this tense moment, my attention was drawn to the young boy. He was holding a massive artillery shell, tied with a rope, dragging it toward the enemy trenches. My heart pounded in my chest. The boy was so young, yet his bravery shone through. I tried to shout for him to stop, but the thunder of gunfire drowned my voice. I silently prayed for his safety, waving at him to retreat, but he pressed on.

With remarkable precision, the boy released the rope, sending the shell rolling down the slope toward the enemy’s trenches. The shell, fortunately, had previously been fired by the enemy and landed safely outside the village, avoiding disaster. Yet the boy’s daring act had drawn our attention, and the shell finally rolled into enemy positions, exploding with devastating force. The blast destroyed several enemy units, forcing the remaining soldiers to flee in panic. Our team quickly took advantage, launching a decisive counterattack and reclaiming our trenches.

The bravery, determination, and quick thinking of the herdsman’s son left everyone in awe. Our commanding officer personally awarded him the flag of victory. Later, in a grand ceremony marking the end of the war, the boy’s father received a medal in recognition of his son’s heroism. Witnessing the boy’s courage, the government offered him admission to the military, recognizing his potential. He pursued his education diligently, excelled in his training, and eventually graduated, rising through the ranks to achieve the position of Colonel.

This extraordinary story highlights that courage and intelligence are not limited by age. Even the youngest among us can make a difference in the most challenging circumstances. It reminds us that bravery, determination, and quick thinking, combined with selflessness, can alter the course of events. The boy’s heroism inspires us to face adversity with courage and to act with wisdom, even when the odds seem insurmountable.