Hero Character Sketch

THE MAN WHO RAISED ME FROM THE WATER

THE STORY OF GREG DEERING

WHIIIIIIR! I walk into a room filled with the cutting of saws and the buzzing of machines ringing in my ears. I continue my quest to interview a man by the name of Greg Deering. I find a shadowy figure at the other end of a long, dark hallway. I walk closer and the man fades into view. He founded and owns a world famous banjo company known as Deering Banjos. He is somewhat loquacious and he always has alacrity to ameliorate any bad situations. He is a man who truckles to few and is very wise. He is tall and lanky. His hair is short and is slicked back close to his head. I get a glass of water from his scuttlebutt. I ask him a few questions while sipping away at my cup of water. This is what he said.

“Being awarded Scoutmaster of the Year made me feel good. I wondered if I really deserved it or not. Scouting itself is a success. Everything about it from the Scout Oath and Law, to the fun and leadership that comes from it. Because I own a banjo company, I don’t really get a lot of free time. However, there is an old saying that keeps me going. You are only as useful as you are of service to others. While I don’t get much free time, the job I do and the troop I help run is fun and I would consider it a good alternative to free time. Mr. Deering sits back and starts plucking a few notes on his favorite banjo.

In my mind I can see him at the campsite plucking notes on his banjo and talking about the swimming merit badge. I feel like the reason he deserved Scoutmaster of the Year wasn’t because he was more experienced or owned a famous banjo company. It was because of the fact that he follows the scout oath, law and slogan. When I was younger, I was terrified of the water and didn’t know how to swim. My brother and I sat there by the pool, just soaking our feet while all our friends were playing. They seemed like they were having a great time with everyone laughing and splashing each other. We sat there all alone with no one but each other. Tears started to form in my eyes. A cold breeze made me shiver as I started to cry. Then a tall figure that blocked out the sunlight and wind came up behind me. “What’s wrong boys? Why aren’t you swimming with the others. They look like they’re having fun,” he said.

“We can’t swim.” I sobbed.

“Everyone can do everything. It just depends on how hard you try. I promise you that next year, when you get into my troop, you’ll be the best 10 year old swimmers in the troop,”

One year came and one year went. My brother and I went into the troop and don’t you know that Mr. Deering was there with a huge grin on his face. For the next couple of months, Mr. Deering spent hours at his pool teaching us to swim. He was determined to make us swimmers because he made a promise. A scout is trustworthy and he keeps his promises.  Four months later, we had the swimming merit badge, first aid merit badge, and were working on the canoeing merit badge. He helped us with that too. 

Greg Deering stands up and sets down the banjo. He ruffles my hair and flashes a grin of white teeth then jokes, “Remember when you got your swimming merit badge? That was awesome. Now get out! I have work to do!”


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