I Have a Dream Speech Analysis Essay Example for Free

I Have a Dream Speech Analysis Essay King had suffered the racial injustice of America at that time and was tired of the segregation. â€Å"We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: ‘For Whites Only. ’† At this point in time, society was segregated to an extreme. Blacks and whites did not mix, the black people were forced to sit at the back of the bus while the white people had the privilege of the front. The two races could not drink from the same water fountains and attended segregated schools. There had been attempts to make a change in the past such as Rosa Parks, however no one was able to leave the same lasting impression that King did and make such a change in society as we now know it. â€Å"One day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. † King had a dream, a dream of racial equality. King was not fighting for only his own rights, he was also fighting for the future of his children, so that they would not endure the cruel police brutality of the times. In the speech King states â€Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. † This does not only show his dream for the future generations but also gives the speech personal identity by including his own children. Throughout the speech King uses a various amount of linguistic devices that help to give his speech the extra edge needed to keep his words in the minds of listeners for years to come. One of the main styles of public speaking King uses is repetition. Throughout the speech he constant repeats certain words and catch phrases such as â€Å"I have a dream† or â€Å"Let freedom ring. † These help to drill his words into the audience and create a lasting impression. This is a technique that is generally used in speeches, especially those dealing with politics. Obama, another man making a big change in society also uses this technique with his catch phrase â€Å"Yes we can,† the use of repetition allows the speaker to get their words through to every listener whether they realize it or not. King also includes aspects of the American Culture in his speech. This not only draws the attention of the white Americans but also shows a connection between the blacks and the whites, they are all Americans and they all live on the same land. King says lines like â€Å"when architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence,† this line praises the American beliefs. King gives a strong point of connection between the blacks and whites and their belief in the Declaration of Independence. He does not put down the American government despite the segregation and hardships but instead compliments them in his speech. The use of American Culture can also tie into King’s pacifism. King was against war and violence and in his speech he states â€Å"we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence,† this connects to why he never puts down the government. King shows that with kindness you get further than with violence as the changes that he made in the world are much more than a war would have done. Another strong point of King’s speaking is his inclusivity of the audience. He rarely states his goals in the form of ‘I’ but instead using ‘we. ’ This technique draws the audience in and includes them in the mission King is presenting to them. â€Å"with this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up to freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. † Note how King never refers to any of the actions in singular form. He says we will work together, stand up to freedom together. King always includes the audience to keep their attention and make them feel a part of the speech and like he is speaking directly to them and asking them to join him so that together they can make a change. King also used many links to religion. By linking his speech to biblical references he was able to connect on a deeper level with the religious members of his audience. During this point in time many people were spiritual, including the black population who were very religious as it helped them through the hard times of segregation and the assault they were experiencing. King used quotes such as â€Å"the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together† referring to the thought that the Lord’s power will overrule cruelty and both blacks and whites will witness it together creating a world free from segregation. Another strong technique that King uses is alliteration. symbolic shadow we stand today, signed † the repetition of the sound ‘s’ creates a dramatic sentence emphasizing the words using this sound. It draws the audiences ear to these sentences and because of the similar sounds allows the phrase to be remembered easier. This allows King to have powerful sentences within the speech which continue capturing the audience’s attention and allow for a more memorable speech. King often uses this technique as many parts of the speech include alliteration. Overall, King left a lasting impression on those who have listened to the speech. He does this by using the many different literary techniques to capture his audience at all times and leave them thinking about the points he put forward. King included various techniques to make his message strong and clear and leave a lasting impression.

Prayer Rituals Of Islam Religion Essay

Prayer Rituals Of Islam Religion Essay There are many religions of the world, mostly all consisting of a ritual of prayer of some sort. Islam is the second largest religion of the world after Christianity. Like almost all religions, Islam also has rituals of prayer. These rituals consist of purifying oneself before prayers, the call for prayer, also known as the azaan, the salah or the prayer, and reciting the holy Quran. These prayer rituals are a part of the daily life of a Muslim. The salah starts right after the Azaan or the call for prayer. It is recited by the Muazzin who is the man who recites in Arabic, the call for prayer. This call is recited in Arabic. In English translation it means , I confess there is no God but God, I confess there is no God but God. I confess Muhammad (PBUH) is the apostle of God. The people listening to this reply the same. The Muazzin says, Come to prayer. The listeners reply I have no power or strength but from God most High and Great. The Muazzin says, Come to God. The listeners reply, What God wills will be; what He wills not will not be. Lastly, the first two claims are recited once again to end off the call for prayer to all Muslims. The Azaan is not only a call for prayer to Muslims, it is also a reminder to all the believers that there is no God but Allah and that the Prophet (PBUH) was his messenger. This claim is also the basis of the shahadah or the Islamic creed. The azaan thus serves a double purpose; it is an announ cement of the time of prayer and at the same time an announcement of the principles of Islam and the significance underlying them. It replaces the meaningless ringing of a bell or the blowing of a trumpet by the most effective propaganda of religion that can be thought of. (A Manual of Hadith) The azaan can be signified as the wakeup call for all believers, serving as a reminder of God. Then comes the actual ritual of praying, the salah. This prayer consists of physical movements of the body along with holy words and phrases in Arabic. Firstly, one must be clean and pure and be standing in clean place, facing the Kaaba, the House of God. The prayer starts out as one stands up straight with hands by the sides, making an intention to pray. I have purposed to offer up to God only, with a sincere heart, with my face towards Kaaba. Then, the hands are raised upto the ear lobes, reciting, Allahu Akbar meaning, Allah is the greatest. The hands are brought back down and the right hand is placed above the left hand. Both hands are placed below the navel for men and above the navel for women. The gaze is lowered towards the floor. In this position, recitations are made. I seek refuge near God from cursed Satan. In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Following this, the first chapter of the holy Quran is recited. After that, the person is to recite any part of th e Quran and as much as he/she wants to recite. Once that is said, the worshipper must once again recite Allahu Akbar, meaning, Allah is the greatest. Then, the worshipper is to bend down as to place the palms of the hands on the knees. In this position, the worshipper must recite I praise the holiness of my Lord, the Great three times and stand back up with hands by the sides. Now he/she is to recite, God hears Him who praises Him: O Lord, Thou art praised. After this, the worshipper goes down on the knees and places his forehead on the floor with the palms of the hands placed on the floor next to the head. The feet are to be resting upon the toes. In this position, the person is to recite I praise the holiness of my Lord, the Most High. Then, the person sits up, placing his/her hands above the knees and recites Allahu Akbar. In a few seconds, the person goes back down to the bow and recites the same phrase as the last prostration. This marks the end of the first rakat. (The faith o f Islm) Depending on the time of day and which prayer is being recited, the number of rakats varies. For example, for Fajr, the prayer before sunrise, and the third prayer, there are four rakats, for Dhurr, the afternoon prayer, there are 12 rakats. There are seven rakats for the evening prayer, Maghrib, and for the last prayer of the day, Isha, there are nine rakats. The same procedure follows for every prayer. This form of prayer is mandatory and required by all Muslims as it is one of the pillars of Islam. There is no substitute for this prayer. It is a must-do. This ritual is the most important as it provides the person to connect with God through communication. Muslims believe that through salah, they can get a chance to communicate with God directly. Among ritual worships, Salah occupies the key position for two reasons. Firstly, it is the distinctive mark of a believer. Secondly, it prevents an individual from all sorts of abominations and vices by providing him chances of direct communion with his Creator five times a day, wherein he renews his covenant with God and seeks His guidance again and againSalah is the first practical manifestation of faith and also the foremost of the basic conditions for the success of the believers. (Islam In Concept) Not only does the salah keep the individual on a spiritual path and connected with God, it also keeps the body in motion and physically ac tive, serving as a great health purpose. Being the key of all rituals of Islam, the salah serves to be the most connective and spiritual ritual of Islam. Another type of prayer ritual is reciting the Holy Quran. The Quran is the holy book of Islam as compared to the Bible of the Christians and the Torah of the Jews. Just like the Hindus recite their Bhagavad Gita and the Jews recite their Torah, Muslims also recite the Quran. In Islam, reciting the Quran is a form of prayer. Muslims claim that the Quran is the word of God. Therefore, it is considered a holy and prayer-like task to recite it. Not only does one have to recite the words of the Quran, it is also important to understand the meaning of them as well as it is written in Arabic. This is a form of worship and prayer. When you recite the Quran and contemplate its meanings, you take a positive step toward achieving happiness. Allah described the Quran as being guidance, light, and a cure for what is in the breasts of men. He also described it as being a Mercy. (Dont be sad) Reciting the Quran is a form or prayer because Allah Himself claims in it that it will bring blessings and happiness in life. It is described to be like a handbook for our lives that we must follow, so reciting and understanding the Quran go hand in hand to establish a prayer. It is very common for Muslims to recite the Quran or perform salah when a difficulty arises in life, whatever it may be as Quran and salah have been the source of guidance towards a righteous path. A righteous person once said: I felt a cloud of depression and anxiety was hanging over me. I picked up the Quran and I read it for a period of time. Then, by Allah, the depression and anxiety disappeared and happiness along with tranquility took their place. (dont be sad) Reciting the Quran is a way of remembering God and keeping in mind his rules and regulations of life that are outlined in it. Along with performing salah, daily recitations keep the thought of God active in ones mind. It is also a way of seeking refuge from Satan. The Prophet (PBUH) claims that Allah has ordained that any man who engages himself in the recitation of Quran so oftenly that he finds no time for supplication I shall provide him more without asking than those who ask. (Principles of Islam) From this, we can conclude that reciting the holy Quran is not only a way of seeking Gods guidance, it also a reminder for all believers of Gods mercy and power. Religions of all people provide rituals of prayer. Islam offers several rituals of prayer such as the sacred washing (wudhu), call for prayer or the azaan, performing the salah, and reciting the Quran. Whatever the ritual may be, they all provide ways of connecting with God. Al-Omar, Abdur Rahman. The Religion of Truth. Saudi Arabia: Maktaba Dar-Us-Salam, 51-52. Print.

Comparing A Worn Path by Eudora Welty and A Rose For Emily by William F

Comparing A Worn Path by Eudora Welty and A Rose For Emily by William Faulkner In the pages of the short stories, A Worn Path and A Rose For Emily we are able to see a similar side and connection between the two. As we look at the theme, tone, and morals we are able to better grasp the conflict in these two stories, while detecting whether the two protagonists, Miss Emily and Phoenix Jackson are mentally crazy. The main moral in A Worn Path is the love, and life of Phoenix Jackson. The path she travels across interrupts her life. Her love is the love and affection she has for her grandson. If we read the story closer then it may lead us to the conclusion that Phoenix really does not have a Grandson. Phoenix complains to the doctor that her Grandson has had a sore throat for an extremely long time. This may cause the reader to believe that she used to have a Grandson but he became so sick he died. Yet, at the same time Phoenix also shows her intellect by seeing the money fall out of the hunter's jacket from a far off distance. In A Rose For Emily the main moral is...

The Power of Peer Pressure :: Peer Pressure Essays

According L K Cardin Smith and S a Fowler from the department of continuing education. â€Å"Classroom peers can serve as powerful sources of reinforcement in increasing or maintaining both the positive and negative behaviors of their classmates. In two experiments, we examined the effectiveness of a peer-monitored token system on reducing disruption and nonparticipation during a transition period of a kindergarten class for behaviorally impaired children. Additionally, the effect of providing and subsequently withholding corrective feedback to peer mediators on the accuracy of their point awards was evaluated. Results in Experiment 1 suggest that both teacher- and peer-monitored interventions were successful in decreasing disruption and increasing participation of monitored peers. Experiment 2 further demonstrated that peer monitors could successfully initiate the token system without prior adult implementation. Analysis of the point awards in both experiments indicates that peer m onitors consistently awarded points that were earned. However, when corrective feedback was withdrawn the peer monitors frequently awarded points that were not earned, i.e., they rarely withheld points for undesirable behavior. Even so, the monitored peers' disruptive behavior was maintained at low rates.† Teens aren't the only affected by it. It’s an epidemic. That challenges everyone, not only kids or teens but teens and adults alike. â€Å"The main consequence of saying no to negative peer pressure is not just withstanding "The heat of the moment," as most adults think. Rather, it is coping with a sense of exclusion as others engage in the behavior and leave the adolescent increasingly alone. It is the loss of the shared experience. Further, the sense of exclusion remains whenever the group later recounts what happened. This feeling of loneliness then becomes pervasive but carries an easy solution -- go along with the crowd.† (MICHAEL RIERA, Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers) (http://www.notable-quotes.com/p/peer_pressure_quotes.html#JFfXdBCK18YwLwIx.99) Peer Pressure affects everyone differently. For example, adults might be pressured to do something for work. The loss of what would happen if they didn't do it is the motivation. Sounds like blackmail, to me. However teens might be pressured into something by their friends this could go either way. Before I go much farther. There’s two types of peer pressure positive and negative. Positive is when someone helps you to do something that you wouldn't have had the courage to do on your own. Some examples could include doing a sole in choir, or trying out for a sport. Negative peer pressure however, is when someone constantly tells you should try it.

Chernobyl :: Ukraine Disaster History Essays

Chernobyl 1986 was a year of several meaningful worldwide events, some of which included the Voyager 2 got details and pictures of Uranus, the space shuttle Challenger exploded on takeoff, and Haley’s comet soared past Earth (infoplease.com). Perhaps the event that alarmed the world the most, however, was the major nuclear accident that occurred at the nuclear power plant Chernobyl. The nuclear disaster that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986 (Lecture 4/1/02), has forever changed the way that nuclear power plants are viewed by the world. Chernobyl is now an abandoned city in north Ukraine because at 1:23 am on April 26th (Chernobyl.com), during an â€Å"unauthorized test of one of the plant's four reactors, engineers initiated an uncontrolled chain reaction in the core of the reactor after disabling emergency backup systems† (infoplease.com). The type of reactor used at Chernobyl was a graphite-water reactor (Lecture 3/25/02). This means that the moderator of the reactor is graphite, and the coolant is water (Lecture 3/25/02). According to Chernobyl.com, technicians allowed the power level in the fourth reactor to fall to an extremely low level, causing a core meltdown. An explosion ripped the top off the containment building, expelling radioactive material into the atmosphere for over ten days (Chernobyl.com). More was then released in a fire that followed, due to a second explosion that allowed air to rush into the reactor (world-nuclear.org). It was only after Swedish instruments detected a problem from the explosion that Soviet authorities admitted that an accident had occurred (infoplease.com). The reactor core was sealed off by air-dropping a cement mixture which included 5,000 tons of boron, dolomite, sand, clay and lead, but not before eight tons of radioactive material had escaped into the atmosphere (infoplease.com). It is estimated that all of the xenon gas, about half of the iodine and caesium, and at least 5% of the remaining radioactive material in the Chernobyl reactor core was released in the accident (world-nuclear.org). Over twenty firefighters died instantly from overexposure to radioactivity, while hundreds suffered from severe radiation sickness (infoplease.

Atomic Bombing on Japan Essay

On the morning of August 6th, 1945 at around 8:16 a. m. , the United States dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Little Boy. † Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped, on August 9th, 1945 at around 11:02 a. m. , the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Fat Man. † These two bombs immensely destroyed these cities and took the lives of many people. There was an estimated 200,000 lives taken in the atomic bombing on Japan. The war on the Pacific had been going on for over four years before the atomic bombing occurred. There were two big battles that could have led to the United State’s decision of dropping the atomic bomb, the Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In these two battles there was an astounding amount of deaths taken in these battles from both sides. While both sides of the Japanese and American soldiers fought vigorously taking the many lives of one another, the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima was a military necessity for the United States. The reason why the dropping of the atomic bomb was a military necessity is because there was nothing else to force Japan to surrender. President Harry S. Truman asked the Japanese to surrender on August 3rd, 1945 or face devastation, but the Japanese failed to meet the deadline. Truman ordered the air force to use the new atomic weapons against Japan. Some argued that if we would had waited a few more weeks, Japan would have surrendered. Others argued that there was no other way to persuade the Japanese to surrender but the atomic bombing. Truman said this was a simple military mission. He said a weapon was available to quickly end the war so he sees no reason not to use it. The alternative to dropping the atomic bomb was a ground invasion in Japan, which would have caused heavy losses to our American troops. From my perspective, I believe that the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was necessary for the preservation and security of our nation. At the time of this incident, the United States was involved in World War II serving as part of the Allied Powers. Therefore, on the morning of December 7th, 1941, the Japanese decided to implement surprised attacks on Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor was a US Navy base located in Hawaii. The United States was not expecting these attacks at all. I feel that the attack on Hiroshima was retaliation for the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Although we may have gone a little over board, it had to be done to establish that the US was not a nation to be messed with. The Japanese’s opportunity to fight back was over after the first atomic bomb was discharged because the navy was taken out, the inability to import food and the lack of industrial supplies. In addition the second atomic bomb was dropped to seal the victory over Japan. Although both Japan and the United States suffered great losses from the altercations, Japan was left with much more trauma. The first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima immediately killed an estimated amount of 66,000 people out of a population of 255,000. The second bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki instantly killed about 35,000 people. However, a numerous amount of soldiers and citizens of Japan did not immediately die. These bombings lead to an awful amount of physical effects that dismembered the country of Japan for many years. Many individuals of Japan either died or suffered from radiation burns, cancer, leukemia, and many other physical disorders. Research shows that radiation increases the long-term risks of cancer. At the time of the bombing, many pregnant women gave birth to children with congenital malformations because of the contact with radiation. After the bombing, there were said to be 6,500 orphans in the city of Hiroshima. Despite the many people that were killed in the bombings, Americans saved many lives on both sides by not invading Japan. The city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was essentially wiped out by the two atomic bombs. The bombs fiercely took out anything in its path. Not one thing or person within 800 meters of the bomb’s blast survived. Only parts of two buildings were standing after the bomb at the explosion site. The survivors in Japan had to clean up over 11. 5 square kilometers of debris and dead bodies after the bombing. This process took Japan four years to clear up. The bombings also cost Hiroshima $2 billion in damage. There were an estimated 60,000 to 90,000 buildings destroyed by the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. And an additional 14,000 buildings destroyed in Nagasaki. To conclude, the atomic bomb dropped on Japan by the United States was indeed a military necessity. The position of the United States at the time left our country with no other choice but to establish superiority; we needed to end the war. There was little sympathy for an enemy who had stimulated the fight and had behaved the way Japan had. Also, Japan’s surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor had left many Americans pleading for revenge. The atomic bomb did just that, wiping out almost entirely two cities in Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although much tragedy and trauma had resulted from the attacks of both countries, the sacrifices were necessary and appropriate.

Dont Judge a Book by Its Cover

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must admit that their parents were right. We do not like to admit it, but the old adages they told us as children are normally correct, and we teach them to our children. My mother was adamant about teaching me that you should â€Å"never judge a book by its cover†. Some examples of what she meant are: the color of someone’s skin, the way they dress, the type of car they drive, anything that might give false impressions, either both good or bad. For the majority of my life, I had lived by that rule; kept it engrained in my mind, but when it came to the men in my life, well the cover was everything. When it came to men I was a student of Oscar Wilde who coined the phrase â€Å"It is only the shallow who do not judge by appearances. † I was under the impression that aesthetics were everything. It took me until one day before my twenty-fifth birthday to determine that maybe I should apply the saying that Mom taught me, rather than the philosophy of Wilde, to every aspect of my life. I now know that it is truer than anything else that Mother ever taught me; â€Å"never judge a book by its cover†, or you just might miss a great story. The day before my twenty-fifth birthday three of my girlfriends and I decided to go out for a pre-birthday celebration. There was a big party planned the following night, and we knew that we would not have a lot of time to hang out together. We got all dressed up and went to our favorite sports bar, George’s. I guess we could be considered regulars, and because of that, we knew a lot of the people there that night. As we sat around our table, listening to music and talking, several people came over to the table to give me birthday wishes since they would not be attending the party the next night. About halfway through the evening, a friend of mine named Chuck came over to say hello because we had not seen each other in quite some time. He had been out of town visiting family in Huntsville, Texas. He told me that he had brought one of his cousins back to Houston with him to the bar as well as an old friend from high school. I looked over towards his table and saw a man, who, in my opinion, at the time was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. I had to meet him. There was no way around it; he was tall, dark, and handsome. He had a smile that could light up a room. I did not say anything to Chuck just then, we simply continued our conversation, and I made sure to remind him of the party the following evening. He promised he would come. All the while I hoped that he would bring his friend or cousin. I was not sure yet which he was, but I would soon find out. Sometime after midnight, it was officially my birthday, and I decided that my present to myself would be to meet that handsome stranger. I walked over to Chuck’s table and introduced myself to the other gentlemen. I quickly learned that the man whom I thought was so handsome was Alex, Chuck’s cousin, and the other man was Don, Chuck’s friend from high school. We talked for a while and I invited them all to the party later that night. I made sure they all had my number in case they needed directions and bade them good night. I just knew that Alex would show up and be my next beau. The next evening I got a call from Don, which was not the call that I had been anticipating, he was asking for directions and said that he was coming with Chuck, but they had not heard from Alex. I was a little disappointed, but was excited about the party, so I did not let it get me down. When Don and Chuck arrived, I was shocked to see that Don came in with two dozen long stemmed white roses. â€Å"Happy Birthday Beautiful; you are even more beautiful than the flowers that I hold for you† and he kissed me on my cheek. I felt speechless but somehow managed to muster a quiet Thank you so much, they are amazing. † Once he had given me the flowers, Don and Chuck went to find a seat and I remained stunned in mine. I talked to my friends that were with me the previous night, and one asked â€Å"Where is Alex? † â€Å"I have no idea. † I said. â€Å"Those flowers are incredible! Where did you get them? † my friend Becky asked. â€Å"Don, the friend of Ch uck’s that I met last night at George’s. The flowers are beautiful, and he told me I was too, I can’t believe this, he likes me. I don’t know what to do; he is so nice but just not my type. He’s shorter than most guys I date and he is not slim and trim the way I usually like my boyfriends; what am I going to do? I guess I will just smile and be nice and think about it tomorrow. † I said to my friends and we continued with the party. I never saw Alex that night and never got a phone call from him either. I looked at the flowers all day Sunday and could not get past how much Don was not my type but yet so very sweet. Don called me on Monday to say hi and thank me for inviting him to my party. He had really enjoyed himself. Finally, he asked if I wanted to go to George’s and watch he basketball game on Tuesday night. I was torn, he was nice enough, but I did not want to lead him on because he was not my type, it would never work. I decided to go and see what would happen after some good natured ribbing from my friends about being conceited and mean. I am so glad that my friends did pick on me and make me regret being shallow because I ended up very sere ndipitous. I soon found out that Don was the nicest man I had ever met. After spending some time with him his looks were not of consequence anymore, in fact they had grown on me in a way I never expected they would. Ever since that Tuesday night we have been together and are now married with two beautiful daughters. Once we kissed, that man whom I had once considered a frog quickly turned into a Prince and I was blessed to become his princess. I should have listened to my mother all those years ago and applied the saying to â€Å"never judge a book by its cover† to everything in my life; I may have saved myself some heartache. Thanks Mom for instilling values in me and keeping in the back of my mind, â€Å"never judge a book by its cover† you might miss a great story; or in my case, a fairytale. Dont Judge a Book by Its Cover There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must admit that their parents were right. We do not like to admit it, but the old adages they told us as children are normally correct, and we teach them to our children. My mother was adamant about teaching me that you should â€Å"never judge a book by its cover†. Some examples of what she meant are: the color of someone’s skin, the way they dress, the type of car they drive, anything that might give false impressions, either both good or bad. For the majority of my life, I had lived by that rule; kept it engrained in my mind, but when it came to the men in my life, well the cover was everything. When it came to men I was a student of Oscar Wilde who coined the phrase â€Å"It is only the shallow who do not judge by appearances. † I was under the impression that aesthetics were everything. It took me until one day before my twenty-fifth birthday to determine that maybe I should apply the saying that Mom taught me, rather than the philosophy of Wilde, to every aspect of my life. I now know that it is truer than anything else that Mother ever taught me; â€Å"never judge a book by its cover†, or you just might miss a great story. The day before my twenty-fifth birthday three of my girlfriends and I decided to go out for a pre-birthday celebration. There was a big party planned the following night, and we knew that we would not have a lot of time to hang out together. We got all dressed up and went to our favorite sports bar, George’s. I guess we could be considered regulars, and because of that, we knew a lot of the people there that night. As we sat around our table, listening to music and talking, several people came over to the table to give me birthday wishes since they would not be attending the party the next night. About halfway through the evening, a friend of mine named Chuck came over to say hello because we had not seen each other in quite some time. He had been out of town visiting family in Huntsville, Texas. He told me that he had brought one of his cousins back to Houston with him to the bar as well as an old friend from high school. I looked over towards his table and saw a man, who, in my opinion, at the time was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. I had to meet him. There was no way around it; he was tall, dark, and handsome. He had a smile that could light up a room. I did not say anything to Chuck just then, we simply continued our conversation, and I made sure to remind him of the party the following evening. He promised he would come. All the while I hoped that he would bring his friend or cousin. I was not sure yet which he was, but I would soon find out. Sometime after midnight, it was officially my birthday, and I decided that my present to myself would be to meet that handsome stranger. I walked over to Chuck’s table and introduced myself to the other gentlemen. I quickly learned that the man whom I thought was so handsome was Alex, Chuck’s cousin, and the other man was Don, Chuck’s friend from high school. We talked for a while and I invited them all to the party later that night. I made sure they all had my number in case they needed directions and bade them good night. I just knew that Alex would show up and be my next beau. The next evening I got a call from Don, which was not the call that I had been anticipating, he was asking for directions and said that he was coming with Chuck, but they had not heard from Alex. I was a little disappointed, but was excited about the party, so I did not let it get me down. When Don and Chuck arrived, I was shocked to see that Don came in with two dozen long stemmed white roses. â€Å"Happy Birthday Beautiful; you are even more beautiful than the flowers that I hold for you† and he kissed me on my cheek. I felt speechless but somehow managed to muster a quiet Thank you so much, they are amazing. † Once he had given me the flowers, Don and Chuck went to find a seat and I remained stunned in mine. I talked to my friends that were with me the previous night, and one asked â€Å"Where is Alex? † â€Å"I have no idea. † I said. â€Å"Those flowers are incredible! Where did you get them? † my friend Becky asked. â€Å"Don, the friend of Ch uck’s that I met last night at George’s. The flowers are beautiful, and he told me I was too, I can’t believe this, he likes me. I don’t know what to do; he is so nice but just not my type. He’s shorter than most guys I date and he is not slim and trim the way I usually like my boyfriends; what am I going to do? I guess I will just smile and be nice and think about it tomorrow. † I said to my friends and we continued with the party. I never saw Alex that night and never got a phone call from him either. I looked at the flowers all day Sunday and could not get past how much Don was not my type but yet so very sweet. Don called me on Monday to say hi and thank me for inviting him to my party. He had really enjoyed himself. Finally, he asked if I wanted to go to George’s and watch he basketball game on Tuesday night. I was torn, he was nice enough, but I did not want to lead him on because he was not my type, it would never work. I decided to go and see what would happen after some good natured ribbing from my friends about being conceited and mean. I am so glad that my friends did pick on me and make me regret being shallow because I ended up very sere ndipitous. I soon found out that Don was the nicest man I had ever met. After spending some time with him his looks were not of consequence anymore, in fact they had grown on me in a way I never expected they would. Ever since that Tuesday night we have been together and are now married with two beautiful daughters. Once we kissed, that man whom I had once considered a frog quickly turned into a Prince and I was blessed to become his princess. I should have listened to my mother all those years ago and applied the saying to â€Å"never judge a book by its cover† to everything in my life; I may have saved myself some heartache. Thanks Mom for instilling values in me and keeping in the back of my mind, â€Å"never judge a book by its cover† you might miss a great story; or in my case, a fairytale.