Aitzaz Hasan Bangash was a fifteen year old boy who grew up in Ibrahimzai, Pakistan. He had ways to pass time as well as interests, as said by Aurangzaib Khan on dawn.com: "There were frequent trips to mountains for hunting and picnics. Unable to play games—he loved cricket and football, watching inter-village tournaments from the periphery—Aitzaz applied his youthful energies to social work."
"The suicide bomber wanted to destroy the school and school students. It was my cousin who stopped him from this...destruction."
-Mudassar Hasan Bangash (Aitzaz's cousin).
On the morning of January 6, 2014, Aitzaz was going to school when he and some classmates spotted a suicide bomber. The other students ran when they saw him, but Aitzaz tackled the suicide bomber. During the struggle, the suicide bomber denoted his bomb, killing both him and Aitzaz.
"I'm going to stop him. He is going to school to kill my friends."
-Aitzaz Hasan Bangash
While everyone else ran, Aitzaz stood his ground. He fought the suicide bomber by himself, even though he likely knew he could die. He displayed bravery and selflessness in fighting to keep his friends and his school safe. No one can deny that his act is heroic. A fifteen year old boy, sacrificing his life for the safety and well-being of others? That's as heroic as any act can get.
"My son made his mother cry, but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children."
-Mujahid Ali (Aitzaz's father).
Aitzaz saved hundreds of lives when he made the choice to fight the suicide bomber. He could've ran, he could've saved himself. Instead, he chose to try and save others, even when it meant potentially dooming himself. As Mujahid Ali said, Aitzaz might've made his mother cry because of his valiant actions, but he has saved hundreds of mothers from the grief of losing their children.
"Though I lost my sweet son I have no regret for what he has done. He has done a heroic job and I am proud of his bravery."
-Mujahid Ali (Aitzaz's father)
Aitzaz's actions inspire me because of their nobility and selflessness. It inspires me to be brave, selfless, and to be ready to give up anything for the safety of the people I care about—even my life. It inspires me to be courageous when faced with two options, and it inspires me to be the good in this world. There is a lot of bad in this world—murderous discrimators, school shootings, suicide bombers, etc.—, but Aitzaz inspires and reminds me that I can be part of what's left of the good.
"Shaheed (martyr) Aitzaz's brave act saved the lives of hundreds of students and established a sterling example of gallantry and patriotism."
-The Pakistani prime minister
Every action has a reaction, like how a stone that's thrown into a lake makes ripples. Aitzaz's valiant act has impacted people and will continue to. His act impacted the mothers of the children he saved in a positive way, but his own mother in a negative way. His act has impacted people by showcasing selflessness and bravery—both important traits that people shouldn't forget, but have.
In a world of cruelty, he has brought goodness and light. Being good and courageous isn't easy. It's hard, and it may cost you your life, but despite your own loss, you can and should save hundreds of other people. You can and should do what you'd want someone to do for you. You can and should make a difference. That is the lasting impact of Aitzaz's actions. People will read Aitzaz's story and likely mourn him. However, they won't just mourn him. He will be honored because of what he did. From his story, people will learn lessons. The ultimate moral of the story they will learn is this: This world is a cruel world with terrible, dangerous people in it, but in this world is also selfless, brave, good people whose qualities we should try and have. Aitzaz's story is a sad story, but it is the truth. There will be consequences to your actions, sacrifices are noble but painful, and most important of all to know, you can make a difference.

                                                       Works Cited
Beard, Katherine, and Tim Smart. "Pakistan Honors Teenage Boy Who Stopped Bomber With Recommendation for Award." USNews.com, 10 January 2014, https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/10/pakistan-honors-teenage-boy-who-stopped-bomber-with-recommendation-for-award. Accessed 21 January 2023.
bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-25663992 (no author)

Khan, Aurangzaib, and Asfand Yar Warraich. "Aitzaz Hasan — the lad who would be a hero." Dawn, 6 January 2018, https://www.dawn.com/news/1155090. Accessed 21 January 2023.