There’s a habit most people in our society have of referring to the central character in a story as the hero—it’s a shorter, handier word than “protagonist,” and after all, usually the protagonist is the hero of the story. Buffy Summers was certainly the hero of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars is the hero of Veronica Mars, Jack Bauer is the hero of 24, Captain Kirk was the hero of the original Star Trek, and so on.

But “hero” doesn’t just mean “protagonist.” It doesn’t mean “lead character.” It doesn’t mean “star.”

A hero is someone who is better than most of us.

The form that takes can be almost anything. But traditionally, a hero is righteous, brave, and persistent—he has the desire to do the right thing, the courage to try to do it, and the fortitude to press on against adversity. To me, that’s what makes someone a hero. Strength, cunning, and a dozen other traits are useful, but they aren’t what make him a hero; to be heroic, you do what’s right even when you don’t want to, even when you’re afraid, and you keep on doing it, without thought of reward.

Well, okay, a hero can think about the reward, but that’s not why he does it. He does what’s right because it’s right.

Mind you, a hero doesn’t have to be heroic all the time; he can let little things go. He doesn’t have to intend to be heroic at all. He doesn’t even have to  …