In the Disney Pixar film Ratatouille, Anton Ego, a food critic, mocks the famous quote "Anyone can cook," by the late Chef Gusteau. By the end of the story, Ego realizes what the chef truly meant and explains it as, "Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere." The same applies to a hero; a hero can come from anywhere, be it a from a movie, a book, or a celebrity that you idolize.
Throughout my childhood, I have encountered a numerous amount of people who fit the hero description, including two different presidents among many other government officials. However, some of the greatest heroes in my life seem to be those closest to me, my friends and my family. Whenever I'm feeling down or stressed, a simple gesture from them is enough to keep me going. A hero is not limited someone who comes "to save the day," but includes anyone who can make a lasting impact, whether it's on a day to day basis or that one time you see a bystander picking up someone else's garbage. A true hero ultimately does the right thing even if he or she may not know it. A true hero can be a complete stranger or someone you've known from the start. A true hero puts the needs of others before their own welfare. A true hero does not need to be acknowledged out loud because their heroic deeds speak for themselves.