HELP PLEASE As a young boy, Rama, an epic hero of the ancient Hindu culture, was sent to contend with demons. His father, King Dasaratha, did not want to send him, but the sage insisted. Many cultures have stories of young boys going into battle with forces much bigger or more experienced than they are. One famous story comes from the ancient Hebrew texts about a boy named David who went into battle against a giant, named Goliath. Another story concerns a Native American hero called Arrow Boy. Modern stories can feature female heroes such as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.

Why do you think so many different cultures have stories in which young people triumph over forces much greater and more experienced? Can you think of other stories that feature young heroes against forces of evil? Discuss a few.