The bus bumps across the road, wheels bouncing over rocks and pebbles. Gradually, it stops, and the doors ease open with a squeak. A man climbs on board. Only his eyes are visible, a black cloth covering the rest of his face. He asks for Malala Yousafzai. That is you. Everyone looks your way, giving away your identity. In a quick motion, he pulls out something from his pocket, and the last thing you hear are gunshots.

        This is what happened to Malala Yousafzai. She was shot in the head and neck by someone from the Taliban because of what she believed. She believed that girls should be able to go to school and get a good education, but the Taliban thought otherwise. Malala recovered from the incident, but she didn’t stop. She kept on going. She gave speeches, spread her belief, and fought, not with violence, but with words. Malala persevered, and her hard work paid off. 

        Perseverance is something that can be difficult to do because it means not giving up and pushing yourself to keep on trying until you reach success. But perseverance is not just trying; you have to keep on going and pursuing your goals no matter what obstacles are thrown your way or what challenges you might face. Perseverance is an important trait to have because people who persevere and go after their goals always find their road to success, no matter how long it takes or what circumstances fall in their path. Anyone who wants to achieve something can’t do it without perseverance. Malala Yousafzai was successful because she used this trait. Malala faced many hardships and obstacles in her journey, but she persisted and persevered, and it led to her success. 

        Malala Yousafzai lived in Pakistan, and her town was taken over by a group of terrorists called the Taliban. The Taliban believed that girls shouldn’t get a chance to get an education, but Malala thought otherwise. Malala wanted to go to school, and she wanted other girls to get a chance to get an education as well. Malala’s father was a teacher, and everyday she went to school along a different path to avoid the Taliban. When Malala got older, she fought. She protested, gave speeches, shared her belief with other people who thought the same and others who thought different, and she did whatever it took to get to her goal. But it wouldn’t be that easy. It started when Malala was riding on a bus. There was nothing abnormal about this day; it was just like the others. The bus eased to a stop, and the doors squeaked open. A man came on board. Only his eyes were visible, a black cloth wrapped around the rest of his face. He asked for Malala Yousafzai.  Then he pulled a gun out of his pocket and shot Malala in the head and neck. Malala was rushed to multiple hospitals where, thankfully, she was saved. After the incident, Malala didn’t back down. She continued her journey. Malala gave speeches, went to campaigns, and shared information about what her life was like under Taliban rule. Malala also started the Malala Charity Fund to help build schools. 

        Malala Yousafzai was faced with a challenge, and she rose to meet it, not with anger or resentment or any thought of violence, but with courage, determination, and persistence. She went after her dream and made it into reality. But Malala wouldn’t have gotten as far as she is now without one thing. Perseverance. Malala persevered through her journey, and that’s what got her where she is now. Malala got shot two times because she believed that girls should be able to go to school. After she recovered, she didn’t back down. Malala gave speeches, went to campaigns, shared her story, and started a charity fund. Malala knew that she wasn’t alone in her journey. She knows and acknowledges that other people have been in similar situations like hers, and that people all around the world agree with her opinions and ideas. If she had backed down, she wouldn’t be where she is now. Over 10 million girls around the world have a chance for education because of all of Malala’s efforts. Because of Malala’s effort, determination, courage, and perseverance, she reached the accomplishment of success.

        Perseverance is something that can be difficult to do, but Malala Yousafzai did it. She let nothing get in the way of her goal, which was to give girls the opportunity to have an education. When Malala got shot two times, she didn't even let that stop her. She was determined to achieve her goal. Malala persevered, and her hard work paid off. Perseverance is something important that we all need in our lives. You won’t breeze past life, no one has, or ever will; life is not like that. You need to know how to overcome challenges, go after your goals, and persevere. You only live once, so it's up to you.

-Mili P.