In his story, “Running for His Life,” Michael Halls tells the life story of Gilbert Tuhabonye, a young boy from Burundi. As a child he went through a traumatic event, a holocaust. The Hutu people set fire to his school, killing many tribe’s people. He tried to commit suicide during this but he was stopped by a voice he heard. It was telling him that he didn't want to kill himself, so he stopped himself, escaped and has scars to remind him of his horrible past. Even though he lived through such events, he doesn't allow that to stop him from living his life. He is now a running coach trying to win an Olympic medal, and teaching others how to not let obstacles get in the way of crossing the finish line. (601-604)
I believe that Gilbert’s runners consider him a survivor because he has such an optimistic view on life even though he lived through a tremendously difficult, heartbreaking experience as …show more content…
To begin, Hall notes “ then he ran the last fifty yards again with Richard Mendez one of many runners he had trained” (602). Gilbert chased his dreams with all his will. He inspires others to do so as well. After finishing a race, in which he was competing with his students, he didn't think twice about going back and cheering on his still running students. Even though he might have been sore from all that running, he didn't show that to his students. He instead decided to stay hopeful and optimistic that they could finish as well. The students realized that they shouldn't be complaining about a little pain from running because their instructor had gone through so much more and he’s as happy as can be. Then, the author remarks, “his back was on fire, his legs were smoking, and his feet were raw with pain. He ran” (602). When faced with an obstacle one thinks impossible, the instinct of most is to give up. Gilbert was face-to-face with death, but almost being burned alive didn't stop him. He did what he thought would keep him alive and that was running
I believe that Gilbert’s runners consider him a survivor because he has such an optimistic view on life even though he lived through a tremendously difficult, heartbreaking experience as …show more content…
To begin, Hall notes “ then he ran the last fifty yards again with Richard Mendez one of many runners he had trained” (602). Gilbert chased his dreams with all his will. He inspires others to do so as well. After finishing a race, in which he was competing with his students, he didn't think twice about going back and cheering on his still running students. Even though he might have been sore from all that running, he didn't show that to his students. He instead decided to stay hopeful and optimistic that they could finish as well. The students realized that they shouldn't be complaining about a little pain from running because their instructor had gone through so much more and he’s as happy as can be. Then, the author remarks, “his back was on fire, his legs were smoking, and his feet were raw with pain. He ran” (602). When faced with an obstacle one thinks impossible, the instinct of most is to give up. Gilbert was face-to-face with death, but almost being burned alive didn't stop him. He did what he thought would keep him alive and that was running