Wings of Fortune

    By k Suresh Babu

    Wings of Fortune cover image

    02 Mar, 2024

    a boy standing in a street with a backpack on his back and a building in the background with debris everywhere, serial art, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, graphic novel

    In a poverty-stricken corner of India, a young boy named Surya was born into hardship. His family had no means to provide him with a proper education, yet he harbored a grand dream - to touch the sky.

    a boy standing in front of a sunset with birds flying overhead and a bird flying overhead over him,, dau-al-set, poster art, Asaf Hanuka, comic cover art

    Despite the lack of resources, Surya's passion for learning was insatiable. He often spent hours observing the birds, marveling at their ability to soar freely in the sky.

    a boy sitting at a desk reading a book in a room with a window and a lamp on it, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Alejandro Burdisio, rossdraws global illumination

    Surya found an old, discarded textbook about aviation. Captivated, he consumed every word, every diagram, every concept with a voracious appetite. He became more resolute to make his dream a reality.

    a man standing in front of a group of men in a village with a sky background and a building, samikshavad, a comic book panel, Bhupen Khakhar, graphic novel

    The villagers mocked Surya's ambitions, considering them whimsical. But Surya was unfazed. He was determined to convert the mockery into admiration.

    a boy with a backpack standing in a street in a city with buildings and cars on the street and a truck in the background, serial art, a character portrait, Cliff Childs, comic cover art

    To raise funds for his education, Surya worked multiple odd jobs. He toiled from dawn to dusk, saving every penny, always keeping his eyes on the prize.

    a man standing in front of a crowd of people in a city with a bird flying overhead in the sky, serial art, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, cushart krenz

    Years passed and Surya's hard work paid off. He was accepted into a prestigious aviation school. His joy knew no bounds, and the villagers' incredulity turned into admiration.

    a cartoon boy in uniform holding a book in a library with planes flying overhead and a bookcase full of books, serial art, a character portrait, Du Jin, official art

    School was challenging but Surya was relentless. He studied harder than anyone else, excelled in all subjects, and finally graduated as a distinguished pilot.

    a boy standing on a rock with a backpack on his shoulders and a sky background with clouds and planes, sots art, a manga drawing, Akira Toriyama, yukito kishiro

    His first flight was a surreal experience. As he soared above the clouds, he remembered the hardships, the mockery, the struggles, and felt a sense of immense pride and satisfaction.

    a painting of a boy standing in front of a group of people in a village with a sky background, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Bikash Bhattacharjee, graphic novel

    Surya became an inspiration for all. His story served as a reminder to the villagers and people beyond, that dreams, no matter how big or small, could be achieved with perseverance and determination.

    a boy with a backpack and wings flying through the air with a sky background and clouds behind him, with planes in the sky, rayonism, poster art, Asaf Hanuka, yukito kishiro

    Surya, the boy who once gazed at the sky with a longing in his eyes, was now soaring in it. He was no longer just Surya, the poor boy from a village. He was Surya, the pilot, the dreamer who dared to dream.