Alain and Fionn, an Irish folk legend of a classic good versus evil medieval battle, portrays a story that is surprisingly relatable to almost any high school student’s life.

As the story goes, a young peasant by the name of Fionn lives in an era when each year during the Irish holiday of Samhain, an evil monster named Alain terrorizes the Irish citizens.  One year, King McArt decides to host a banquet.  During the feast, he suggests that the strongest men in Ireland battle against the monster in order to cease his reign of terror.  Fionn attends this banquet in hopes of witnessing a brave man volunteer to battle the ferocious Alain.

However, even Ireland’s greatest warriors shy away from the challenge.  Just as all hope is soon to be lost, Fionn summons every ounce of his courage and volunteers to fight Alain.  Although the King permits this battle, the entire country expects the imminent death of the weak and innocent Fionn.  Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Fionn ventures to Alain’s lair and manages to slay the monster after a perilous struggle.  From then on, the citizens of Ireland were safe, relieved and able to joyously celebrate the Samhain.

            While these dangerous endeavors will present themselves in countless forms throughout one’s life, the legend of Alain and Fionn illustrates that bravery and sacrifice for the greater good can always result in a victory, no matter how unexpected.