Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in full.
Hero Teen Saves Brother Being Swept Away: ‘Mom…I Might Not Be Back
The Gamage boys – supplied
In New Zealand, a young boy has become the world’s youngest recipient of the Mountbatten Award after saving his younger brother from a treacherous stretch of coastal water last year.
The hero was Kalya Gamage, 14, who must have paralyzed his mother with fear when he saw his brother Kithmi being pulled out to sea by 3-meter waves and said to her, “OK, Mum, I’m going out. I might not be back.’’
12-year-old Kithmi was a good swimmer in his own right but couldn’t resist being ripped off his feet by several large waves that broke ashore on Chrystalls Beach in South Otago. Quickly tiring himself out trying to fight his way back to land, he was out around 60 meters (180 feet) treading water in a “notoriously dangerous” patch of coastal ocean where the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) notes “no one survives.”
Kalya jumped into the frigid water and had little difficulty reaching his brother but became nervous about whether he could reach the shore.
But he was relieved that they did, cold and tired but alive.
“Undoubtedly, Kalya’s brave response saved his brother’s life that day,” said the RLSS.
Kalya wants to start a business or be an engineer when he grows up but has spent time specifically improving his swimming skills. Those skills and the rescue they afforded won Kalya the 2022 Mountbatten Award, given to a single member of the whole British Commonwealth per year—over 2 billion people in 56 countries.
While his high school and even the Kiwi government expressed their pride at Kalya’s bravery and presence of mind, the greatest reward will, of course, be having his brother around for many decades to come. The good news here is a boy was saved because his brother thought quickly. Today’s JohnKu talks about saving others. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Someone Else by John W. Howell © 2023
We protect ourselves,
But the question still remains . . .
Would we protect others?
Fiction Favorites 
I would like to think we would try John, but I suppose we won’t know unless the circumstances arrive.Hugs
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So true, David. Hugs back.
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What a wonderful story but oh my the mother must have been so upset at the prospect of losing both sons. A brave young man for sure.
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I’m sure she was. So glad she didn’t have to experience that level of loss.
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful and tender story, John. And your Johnku poses an important question for all.
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Thank you, Gwen. In today’s divided social environment the answer may not be as sure as it was in the past. I could see someone answering, “A Democrat? Sure.”
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Fine job! ❤
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Thank you, Annette. 😁
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What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this with us, John. Fantastic JohnKu!
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Thank you, Jill for the lovely comment. I hope you have a super weekend. BTW I got to do a puzzle and I think I’m hooked. 😁
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Yay! I’m happy to hear this, John. Puzzling is so relaxing for me. I hope you have the same benefit! I should mail you some of ours. 🙂
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We have plenty. Just never got to them. Thanks for the offer. 😊
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Excellent story, John.
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Thank you, GP. I was amazed that he won the Mountbatten award.
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Riptides are no joke. We have warnings about it all the time here. Glad both kids were okay.
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When we lived on the coast we had the same warnings. There were instructions posted on what to do if caught in one as well.
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Oh my! What a courageous young man. Thank you for sharing, John.
Happy Friday!
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Happy Friday to you Dale. He was certainly courageous. 😊
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Thank you, kind sir 🙂
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😁
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Wonderful story, John.
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Thank you, Craig.
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That’s a brave young man! Thanks for sharing, John.
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Thank you, Joan. Yes he was a brave one. 😁
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We all like to think we would, but you never know. What a good story.
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Thanks, Dan. We would hope we would. You are right. You never know. 😁
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Absolutely wonderful story, John. It brough tears to my eyes, and I can only imagine what the mother felt watching this boy struggle to help his brother back to the shore. What an inspiration he is, and I’m convinced he’s going to be a very special person throughout his life. And thanks to him, his brother will be likely follow in his footsteps.
Thank you for making my morning happier with this wonderful Fri-Yay story, and here’s to a great day, yourself!
😊❤️😊
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It is a great story, Marcia. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know you liked it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
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The description makes it sound like a particularly dangerous bit of coast. Quite a story. So glad that mother had the chance to tell both boys ” don’t you ever do that again ! “
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Excellent point, John. I’m sure she was happy to be able to say that.
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A hair-raising story. How lucky they both survived and the brother deserves the award for his bravery. And a solid scolding for both of them from the mother!
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So true, Noelle. Thank you.
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That poor mother must had been terrified. So relieved it was a happy ending!
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Me too. I’m sure the mother is grateful to have both boys.
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What a brave young man. Thank you for sharing such an uplifting story.
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I’m glad you liked it, Maggie.
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Brave thing to do, so glad it worked out. I couldn’t image being the mom and possibly losing two boys.
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I know right? I’m glad it worked too.
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Being willing to risk your life for a brother is certainly brave, John, and your Johnku is a prod for self-examination. Great job!
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Thank you, Tim.
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What a beautiful story. ❤ Thank you for sharing this with us, John.
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It is beautiful. Thanks for the comment and visit, Mar
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Wonderful story, and a perfect JohnKu.
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😊
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What a heartwarming story with a super ending. Thanks for sharing a ‘pawsitive’ story in a world that’s too filled with bad news. This hit the spot.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Monika. Thanks for telling me. 😊
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There is no greater love than a selfless one.
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So true.
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Love can gave someone amazing strength (and bravery!). What a strong bond those two brothers must have now.
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What a brave young man.. So happy this story had a happy ending for these brothers John.
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I am too, Sue. It made the story very special.
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What a great story, John!
I love happy endings which segue into happy beginnings.
Your JohnKu is piquing.
Most would want to protect others, but I think saving our own skin prevents many acts of heroism.
Therefore, we recognize heroes, like Kalya.
🐂🐂🐂🐂
There is no emoji for oxen in super hero capes. Yet another emoji failure.
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There are so many emoji failures in the world, Resa. 🐂🐂🐂🐂 You are right about saving one’s own skin.
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🐂⨷⨷🐂
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Maybe an ox with romaine wings
🐂🥬 🐂🥬 🐂🥬 🐂🥬
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Oh, now that’s lovely!
OMG! Emoji art!
🐂🥬 🐂🥬 🐂🥬 🐂🥬
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You saw it here first. 🙃
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Yes! I hope it catches on!
🎨X
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Signing off now. 🤗😘
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My goodness, so, so frightening. As a mom, I can imagine that mom in anguish that she might lose both her sons. But what a tragedy had the big brother not been there to save the younger. Whew! Great story to share, John. Thanks. 🙂
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Yes it is a great story the way it turned out. Thanks, Betsy.
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🙂
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Wow to that presence of mind and that courage at such a young age. The kid has one hell of a future ahead of him and thanks to his heroics, so does his brother.
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I think so too, Marc. A rare human being.
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For sure.
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God bless these brothers. 🙂 x
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