Writing Challenge
Well, That Would be Just Super!
If I had a superpower for just one day
I was going to play it cool and pretend like I haven’t ever daydreamed, all on my own and completely unprompted by anyone, about what it would be like to have a superpower.
I was going to say something like, “Great question B. A. Cumberlidge., I hadn’t really given it much thought, but I suppose if I did have a superpower it would be…” But I figured most of you would see right through that anyway. So, here is Brian’s story:
Brian’s story along with my recent viewing of the movie The Invisible Man did get me thinking a little bit about the ethical dilemma that comes along with a superpower. I noted to my wife that the ability to be invisible creates a lot of opportunity for misdeeds.
In other words, I think there is a lot more potential for evil with invisibility than potential for good. If there was an invisibility suit or potion available for limited use, I suspect that those most desiring to use it would be for things like spying, theft of items or ideas, and general no good.
The one super ability that I spent many an idle hour dreaming about in my distant (and maybe not-so-distant) past was the ability to stop time.
I think there is some potential for good with this power. Imagine being able to calmly move someone out of the way of the speeding bus or being able to take time to get a boat and row out to someone who is just beginning to thrash about in the water, saving them from drowning. You could definitely save someone’s life with such ability.
My first notion was to rail against Brian’s prompt of what if you had a superpower for just one day. Who would only want the superpower for 24 hours, wouldn’t you rather have it for life, or at least longer than one day?
But that got me thinking as well. You might be able to hide the ability to stop time or to be invisible for quite a while. Perhaps no one would ever know. But what if you slipped up and were discovered? Or, what if the magnitude of bearing such a secret was too much, and you broke down and told someone?
Surely, much like those that win gigantic lotteries, once your secret was out you would be besieged by those wanting you to help them. Eventually those requests are bound to become overwhelming.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
And, I still hypothetically wonder whether the morals of even the most upstanding person might not be tested by having a power that no one else has? Especially if it worked in such a way as to not be very noticeable to the average person.
But that is the topic for a whole other article, and to keep us on track with what I think was intended as more of a lighthearted ask, I decided to change my power. Especially if it was something I only had for one day.
If I had a superpower for just one day, I would want to be able to fly.
I think the feeling of simply floating on the wind would be exceptionally freeing. When I watch birds coasting along, diving and turning, then pulling up suddenly, I long to be able to imitate them.
There has to be something cathartic and magical about being suspended in the air by wings or foils. Something I suppose hang gliding can replicate to a minimal extent, except birds can start from the ground and gain height, whereas a glider or foil requires some other method of getting up to height in order to facilitate coasting.
Plus, think about all the traffic you could avoid on the ground. As long as you steer clear of major airports and military bases, I suspect you would attract little attention from air traffic. The term “as the crow flies” would suddenly have much more meaning. Bodies of water would pose no obstacle at all.
Yep, if I had a superpower for just one day I would dispense with any pretense of sneaking around and take to the skies!
I just hope it is a clear day and not raining. If I only had one day, I would want a day with the best views!
Okay other folks that will have more imaginative and brilliant answers than I. Please weigh in with your superpower for a day thoughts and tag me and B. A. Cumberlidge. in your posts, Charles Roast, Holly Jahangiri, P.G. Barnett, Tree Langdon ♾️, Ming Qian, Kevin Buddaeus, Paul Myers MBA, Bill Abbate, Sherry McGuinn, Dipti Pande, Terri DelCampo-Nelson and Desiree Driesenaar!
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Timothy Key spent over 26 years in the fire service as a firefighter/paramedic and various fire chief management roles. He firmly believes that bad managers destroy more than companies, and good managers create a passion that is contagious. Compassion, grace and gratitude drive the world; or at least they should. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and join the mail list.
