The Unknown Quantity

People often learn more about themselves when they are challenged. When they are driven to their limits some people can do things they never thought they could. In the face of danger, some people would show that they are actually braver or better than they thought while others, sadly, would have to admit that they are not as good as think they are. In extreme situations, people would react in extreme ways. Just a few days ago, a friend had asked me a question that got me thinking. She said, "If there was a major earthquake, and you and one other person is stuck under the crushed building. You are not best friends with that person, but you are acquaintances. You have two choices. One, you get saved with not the slightest scar on you, but you have to watch the other person die in pain as the the building crush on him/her. Or two, both you and the other person get saved, but you have you cut off your legs for the other person to survive. You will have to feel the pain of cutting off your legs, but you will save the other person. Another down side to the situation is that the other person might also be badly damaged. What would you choose?" I'm sure that the very first response that most people would give is to save the other person too. This might not be because they want to "look" like a nice and sympathetic person. They might really feel that way. However, I think we would never know until that day actually comes. Some people just might prove to themselves that they are the sympathetic person they think they are. Others, however, might learn that they have to take a new look at themselves.