Sayings and Proverbs Contest Entry

Gilbert grinned at the men assembled before him, men from the cities and towns of his great country. Men, trained to become soldiers. The awesome Prussian army in all it's might. His smile faltered for a moment as he remembered who they were up against: the French army with his best friend Francis fighting. His country was weak after Friedrich Wilhelm II's resignation, making Gilbert himself weak but he knew that he had to fight for his people, for his country and for his pride. So he gave the men before him his usual cocky, confident smirk and spoke loudly and clearly.

"Gentlemen, we are facing an enemy. This we know. We're the awesome Prussian army, this too we know. What else do we know?" He asked the crowd of men before him. A boy of maybe 19, barely a man, put his hand up.

"We are vastly outnumbered. We're going to lose and we're going to die." Prussia's face fell before a look of annoyance came across it.

"Boy, come here." He ordered. "Name, rank?"

"Private Frederick Hirsch." The boy saluted him. Gilbert clipped the Private over the head.

"Private Hirsch, you are a trained soldier, ja?" Gilbert demanded.

"Ja." The Private replied, wincing and rubbing his head where Gilbert had hit him.

"Ahh but we are the mighty, awesome Prussian Army. We can't be defeated against the sissy French Army! You sir, are not an awesome soldier but a sissy little mädel. We're awesome Prussia, there's no way we could lose!" Prussia said proudly, feeling his chest swell as his soldiers responded with a loud cheer.

They were outnumbered, many of his men did lose their lives and they did lose the battle but that wasn't the point: A true soldier, one that is proud to fight and die for his country, proud to defend his land, does not admit defeat before the battle.