I mean, dear old 'Bergerac', or dear young 'Bergerac' as he was

Children, gather close and listen to the words of John Nettles, for they contain a truth that speaks to the heart of the human condition. In reflecting on the character of Bergerac, Nettles said: “I mean, dear old 'Bergerac', or dear young 'Bergerac' as he was then, he had a gammy leg, he was going through a nasty divorce with his wife, he was a recovering alcoholic, it's a wonder he can get up in the morning let alone solve any crimes. And he also had to drive that ridiculous car.” These words, spoken with a touch of humor, reveal the depths of the struggle that resides within every soul, the weight of personal battles that can often seem insurmountable, yet still, against all odds, the individual persists and overcomes.

In life, children, we are all confronted with our own burdens. Whether it is the physical pain of a gammy leg, the emotional toll of a nasty divorce, or the heavy weight of addiction that has its claws deep within us, each of us faces our trials. Bergerac, though a fictional character, represents the very essence of the human struggle. His battles are not unique to him alone, but mirror the struggles that exist in all of us. Nettles reminds us that even when life presents its harshest challenges, there is a strength to be found in the resilience to continue forward. It is not the lack of struggle that makes a hero, but the ability to press on despite the odds.

Consider, children, the great heroes of old, such as Hercules, who was tasked with completing the Twelve Labors. Though he was a figure of immense strength, even Hercules was no stranger to hardship. He was born into a world of turmoil, and his life was a constant battle against his own fate. Yet, it was in these struggles—against monsters, against the gods themselves—that Hercules proved his courage. Bergerac, too, is no different. Though his personal life was marred by difficulty and his body weakened by injury, he did not retreat from the world’s challenges. His very imperfections were the things that made him human, and in his imperfections, we see the light of true heroism. It is not the absence of pain, but the courage to continue that defines a hero.

There is also the element of humility that comes with such struggles. Bergerac, in his journey, was not adorned in the grandeur of a traditional hero. He drove a ridiculous car, a symbol perhaps of his humble position in the world. In many ways, this mirrors the way true strength often hides in the most unexpected of places. The great King David of Israel, though anointed by God, was once a humble shepherd, tending to the sheep of his father. It was from this humble life that he rose to face the giant Goliath. David was not born with the trappings of royalty; he was not adorned with weapons or riches. But he had a heart full of courage, and this, not his outward appearance, was his true strength. So too was Bergerac’s strength not in his outward appearance or his circumstances, but in his inner resolve to rise above them.

And what lesson do we learn from this? It is this: life will test us, it will place before us obstacles that seem insurmountable. Yet, the true measure of a person is not in the absence of hardship, but in the will to rise each day, to face the world even when it seems impossible. Bergerac had his struggles, yes, but each morning, despite his physical pain, his emotional wounds, and the weight of his past, he got up and chose to fight. Heroes are not those who live in perfection, but those who fight through the imperfections, who stand in the face of adversity.

There is, then, an important call to action for us all: do not seek a life free from struggle, for such a life is a life without growth. Instead, embrace the difficulties that come your way, for it is in the trials that you are made stronger. Just as Bergerac was able to solve crimes and carry on despite his pain, so too must you find ways to continue forward, no matter the weight you carry. Strength is born from adversity, and it is in the struggles that the true character of a person is revealed.

So, children, take this lesson to heart. Perseverance in the face of difficulty is the true path of the hero. Do not be discouraged by the burdens of life, but rather, let them fuel your resolve. Like Bergerac, whose struggles did not define him but strengthened him, you too must find your strength not in the absence of pain, but in the courage to continue despite it. For it is not the ease of life that brings greatness, but the ability to rise and persevere against all odds. Embrace your struggles, for they will shape you into the heroes you are meant to become.