This is a scholarship essay that I wrote following the prompt, if you could have dinner with any three people in the world, who would it be and why? -Enjoy! (BTW, I got the scholarship. :))
I sit alone in an old cafe. It’s crowded and the live music isn’t always on key, but the atmosphere is great. Although it’s busy, I know that I will be able to sit and think without feeling rushed. My notebook is open, and I begin to scribble.
After a while, I look up and notice a guy approaching my table. I stare, completely incredulous. I have just finished making a list of role models, and his name is at the top.
“Hi, do you mind if I join you?” His inflection shows hesitancy.
“Yes. I mean, no. I mean, yeah, have a seat.” I stumble over my words, trying to act calm.
The teenager sitting across from me is Zach Hunter. He is a modern day abolitionist, author, and speaker, working to bring attention to those around the world who are enslaved. I read Zach’s first book when I was thirteen. He made an impression on me because he has shown by example what can be accomplished by being ready and willing to help others. He started a non-profit to help free slaves after he found out that there are more slaves in the world today than there were during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” he asks, smiling. I realize I’m staring.
“No, I’ve read your books.” I smile back, embarrassed. “I’m Lauren. Lauren Hayden.”
“Nice to meet you.”
I look down at my notebook; I’ve just remembered that his name is written in bold letters at the top of the page, very much in plain sight. I wonder if he’s noticed it; I look up, he has.
“Actually, I’ve been writing this afternoon. I decided to make a list of people I’d enjoy meeting. You know, the ‘If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or dead, who would it be?’ scenario. And, um, you’re on my list.” I grin sheepishly.
“Wow, that’s cool. Who else is on your list? Maybe they’ll randomly show up too.” He looks bemused.
“Well, actually, they’re dead.” If he didn’t think me crazy before, he does now. “But it’s Corrie ten Boom and William Wilberforce.”
“Wilberforce the abolitionist, politician, and brilliant orator? Him?” He seems excited. “And Corrie ten Boom, the woman who survived a concentration camp?” He knows them both. For some reason, that makes me feel better.
“Yes! I think they had an impact on so many people, and that you have, too. One of my dreams is to be a positive influence in the world in what I do and say.
“Wilberforce was an obvious choice because he was such a strong example of perseverance. He spent almost all of his life fighting for the abolition of slavery in England.”
“Did you know that he actually lived to see slavery outlawed in England, but died three days after the law was passed?” Zach asks. “And Corrie was such an incredible woman! She once said ‘Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill that love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.’”
“Wow, that really illustrates what I’ve learned about her! She lived what she believed. She opened refuge homes for concentration camp survivors and jobless Dutch after the war ended. She also spoke publicly about her experiences hiding Jews and living in concentration camps, and even shared about her journey to forgiving the guards in the concentration camps. I think that was the difference between her and many others that have been through traumatic events. She knew that our greatest tool to help our friends, as well as our strongest weapon against our enemies, is love.”
“So you’ve chosen both Wilberforce and Corrie ten Boom because they devoted their lives to what they believed. I like that.” He understands.
“Zach, that’s why I put you on my list too. Do you remember the movie Amazing Grace, about Wilberforce? Well, in it, William Pitt says, “We're too young to realize certain things are impossible, so we will do them anyway.” You are living that out. By the world’s standards, you’re still a kid, and yet you’ve already accomplished so much! And you have a quality about you; so much passion, so much...life.” He laughs, but it’s true.
“Well, I’m honored to be in such company as William Wilberforce and Corrie ten Boom. I--”
“Ma’am?” A waitress interrupts Zach. She smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry to wake you...but we’re closing.” I look up. I’m alone at the table. As I look across the room, I realize I must have fallen asleep. I grin as I think about how cool it would be to meet my heroes. But I know that it’s okay if I never have the opportunity, because their lives have already changed mine. They have helped me understand that influence isn’t an all-powerful gun that will win the war, but the spark that must be tended until it kindles a flame in the hearts of those around us.
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