It is often said that “Good things come in small packages”. Andrew Wiggins, aka Ender, of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card could be an example of this. He was taken from his family at the age of six and placed in Battle School. The Colonel of the school felt that Ender would be ready to be the Commander when the next invasion of buggers occurred. Most people would not like their future determined when they were only six. Physically he may be a small package but there is a big powerful mind in it.
Ender’s mind is like a super computer. He learns from any source he can. He watches the videos of earlier battles so he can develop new strategies to win his battles. He is not afraid to share information with the other commanders because he doesn’t think they will be able to use it against him. He has sleepless nights because he is often thinking and cannot shut his mind off. To many people a mind that works like a computer would be a good thing.
Having a mind that works like a computer isn’t enough to have to make a life happy. Because of his battle success, Ender had no friends on his level and the other commanders were jealous of him. His success also leads to quick promotions so he doesn’t get to spend a lot of time with many people. The pressure for Ender to be the next great commander is also great. It is surprising that a six year old boy could be giving so much responsibility and handle it this well.
Even though this is a science fiction book, there are many parts of it that are real; the bullying, sibling rivalry and pressures to succeed. My plans for the future have changed many times since I was six and I couldn’t imagine having someone else plan my future or having Ender’s fight to be successful. But having a brain that worked like a computer wouldn’t be bad because then I could have 100% in all my classes.
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