________________
An Incarable Optimist in the Tent bridge Test and one at Lords, thereby providing ample evidence of his batting prowess, and that too with injuries suffered one after the other. During his cricketing career, Allen Melville scored a total of 10,598 runs with 25 centuries in first class matches. One who does not despair in difficulties is the real hero. Is it not ?
Allen passed away in 1983 in South Africa at the age of Seventy two. A cricketing wonder !
Bethany Hemilton wanted to be a professional surfer when she was harldly thirteen. She participated in surfing competitions, while in school. Her father was a waiter and mother a cleaner. They both encouraged the daughter to indulge her hobby. On 31st October, 2003, at 6-40 in the morning, she plunged into the sea with friends for surfing. Minutes later, the water turned red. A shark had attacked her and she lost her one hand. Her friends brought her to the shore and were shocked to see her plight.
Her days of surfing are over,' they said. Bethany responded with a defiant 'no'. She began surfing after sometime. In 2004, she wrote her autobiography 'Soul Surfer' and began writing novels and stories for children. She still participates in surfing competitions for about four weeks. She has surfed on the seas in Brazil, Indonesia and Australia, but she prefers the seashore of Hawaii. In 2004, she received Best Come-Back athlete award and even today, she has a pride to place in National surfing championship.
147
