Fly High, My Little Icarus
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Brooklyn, New York, lived an amiable and innocent boy named Patrick. His life was the embodiment of the common American dream, living in a well-off family, having loving parents, and attending one of the most prestigious institutes of the city. However, life isn't always filled with rainbows and sunshine.
Tragedy struck the happy household when Patrick's parents got involved in a severe car accident and, sadly, didn't survive. The event marked the end of Patrick's tranquil life, and he found himself spiraling into an abyss of darkness and depression.
Despite this devastation, on his 16th birthday, his life took a mystifying turn. Patrick discovered an old diary covered in dust in the attic, a diary that belonged to his late mother. The diary was a compilation of different stories of heroes from various cultures and civilizations. His mother’s beautifully crafted words somehow reached out to him, reminding him of her warm presence.
The stories became Patrick's sanctuary, giving him the strength to continue each day. But one such tale stood out from the rest - that of an ancient Greek hero, Icarus, who had too dreamt of flying but eventually fell into the sea due to his hubris. The story taught Patrick the value of moderation and adherence to guidance.
Patrick found his mother’s words echoing in his mind: 'Fly high, my little Icarus, but not too close to the sun’. Inspired by this, he didn’t let his tragic circumstances consume him. Instead, he chose to rise above his tragedy and started focusing on his future. Patrick decided to pursue his dream of getting into aeronautics engineering, hoping to fly, metaphorically, rather than literally.
For the next few years, Patrick spent time learning everything about aeronautics, spending sleepless nights studying and preparing for scholarships. The bright, playful boy was transformed into a focused and determined young man.
His efforts came to fruition when he received a full scholarship to MIT for Aeronautics engineering. Patrick rejoiced. He felt he had finally managed to fly, not too close to the sun but high enough to reach his dreams.
At MIT, he excelled in his chosen field, becoming a favorite among professors. Yet, he always carried his mother's diary with him, Every time he was demotivated, he would read the story of Icarus; this transformed it into his principle of life. He knew the importance of dreaming big but at the same time understood the significance of staying grounded.
Upon graduated with honors, he received multiple job offers from prestigious companies. Yet he chose the one allowing him to design aircraft that were safe and efficient, never forgetting the lessons he'd learned from the story of Icarus. Patrick was finally able to understand the true essence of his mother's words.
In the end, Patrick not only became a successful aeronautical engineer but also a symbol of inspiration for many, teaching them that tragedies are aspects of life from which one can rise and learn. He carried forward the legacy of those stories penned down by his mother, passing them down to generations, just like a legend should be.