When I was a youngster and movies were less sophisticated, the typical Western hero was one who rescued the fair lady from the runaway horse or stagecoach and was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek as she exclaimed, "My hero!" Today we mostly see heroes who perform some feat of daring at the risk of their own lives.

However, for every recognized hero, there are a thousand or more unsung heroes. I speak of the faithful classroom teacher who toils by day and prepares at night to serve as parent, teacher, disciplinarian, moral agent and adult role model for the youth of the day. They even frequently dig into their own pockets to buy children lunches or provide art supplies for the classroom because the school's budget is depleted.

I also am referring to the parents who faithfully uphold their responsibility to their children on extremely limited budgets, as well as the faithful volunteers who regularly do yeomanlike work in serving the homeless, working in soup kitchens or distributing food and clothing to the needy.

My 1828 Noah Webster dictionary says that a hero is "a man of distinguished valor, intrepidity or enterprise in danger, as a hero in arms; a great, illustrious or extraordinary person." The dictionary also tells me that "unsung" means "not celebrated, not recited." Unfortunately, that is too often true. Those who do spectacular things get the publicity, but most of the time, they have their "15 minutes of fame," and it's all over in the minds of everyone — except the one who was the recipient of the hero's valor. Even though unsung heroes don't get their moments of fame, they do earn the undying gratitude of those they served. So whether you get the publicity or not, if you are someone who is making a difference, you really are a hero. Keep it up, and I'll see you at the top!

Disraeli vs. Gladstone

Two of the greatest prime ministers England ever had were Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. Each made enormous contributions to the British Empire and loyally served the throne. It's difficult to say which was greatest, but they were certainly different.

The story is told of a well-known British lady who spent an evening seated next to Gladstone at a formal state dinner. As was the custom, she spent virtually all of the evening in discussion with Gladstone. A few days later, at another state dinner, she was seated next to Disraeli, and again, she spent most of the evening in discussion primarily with Disraeli. Someone asked her what she thought of the two men and what the prime differences were between the two. She responded that Gladstone was knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects, a deep thinker and certainly a man who was capable of incredible achievements. She stated that as a result of her conversation with Gladstone, she was convinced that he was perhaps the most brilliant man England ever had produced.

At that point, she paused and commented that after spending the evening talking with Disraeli, she was convinced that she was one of the brightest, wittiest, most knowledgeable people that England had produced.

My question is this: Which one of these men did this lady like best? If she had to follow one, which one do you think she would follow? As she discusses them with her friends, whom do you believe she will talk most about? The answers are obvious, aren't they?

Anytime we show intense interest in another person, the individual upon whom our attention is showered thinks we are pretty nice, bright people! Take that approach to life, and you will win friends and influence people, and I'll see you at the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free e-mail newsletter through info@zigziglar.com.

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