It’s funny how you can witness acts of courage in the most unexpected places — suddenly without warning. For me, it was several years ago at a Boston subway stop. A friend and I were having great fun exploring Boston, which of course has to include traveling the city’s highly efficient subway system. I can’t remember whether we had just finished shopping or were returning from a tour of Harvard, but what I do remember is an incredible scene that took only seconds and yet is firmly imbedded in my memory for life.

We were waiting for the train, when suddenly a man came stumbling along the platform. Maybe he was impaired or ill. I don’t know and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is what happened next. He tripped and fell three feet down onto the tracks. In the distance we could see the lights of the train approaching, and maybe it was fear or shock that paralyzed us, but no one on that platform made a move to help the man. Then, out of nowhere came a young man — probably early twenties. He calmly jumped onto the tracks and put out his hand and said, “Hey, buddy, do you need a hand?” He took the fallen man’s hand and swiftly and gracefully helped him up off the tracks and out of danger.” Acts of courage like this are sometimes hard to find, but there it was right in front of me on the Green Line of the Boston subway system. It was truly inspiring, especially seeing someone so young acting with such courage.

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