The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

I just finished reading the short story "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, and I believe that Joby (the main character) changes a lot in this story. At first, Joby feels scared, alone, and useless. He's only the drummer boy, what good could he do in comparison to a soldier?All he had was his drum, he had no one, he ran away from home. And now he has to go and beat his drum for an army unsure of himself.

He keeps on having this attitude until, out comes the general. He is kind of like the hero of the story, the knight in shining armor, saving Joby from bad thoughts. This is where Joby changes dramatically. The general starts talking to Joby after he seees him crying, and he empathized with Joby, saying he cried yesterday too. Then, the general talks about what war really is, and what horrific things actually happen in wars. The general talks about how Joby is the heart of the army and how much the general needs Joby. He sets the pace and that's something the general can't do himself. And Joby finally realizes how important he is. This makes him feel much better and that boy in the start of the book that felt alone, scared, and useless was afterwards a confident, courageous and very usefull man.

I can relate with Joby. I have been playing soccer since I was 3, and I still play it. At first I was a tiny kid and my shirt was down to my ankles, so I was on the floor for almost half of the game. I got so discouraged that I quit soccer. That adventure would've been over as soon as it started. But thanks to me getting taller and some motivational words from my parents I gave it another shot. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I have kept playing to this very day, and my soccer team has made it to the 13th best team in the whole country. And all thanks to that little kid who started off with a bad attitude and changed for the best.