Klair Carroll

Michael Kimball

English 1010

Sept 2, 2012

The Mythic rare

I am a mythic rare card from the Magic the Gathering trading card game. I am Strong and powerful yet fragile and easily damaged. I am Valuable and sought after by some but misunderstood and rejected by many.

Magic the Gathering is one of the most popular trading card games in the world that began in 1993 with approximately 11,000,000 players. Currently it has an array of cards varying in from common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare. Mythic rare cards have undeniable power and are very highly sought after in the Magic the Gathering Community.

For the vast majority of the world that isn’t involved with this game though the usefulness of these cards can be mistaken and their value demeaned, even to the point that they are taken for just another piece of paper with an interesting picture. I myself feel like I can be misjudged or mistaken by people who don’t know me and make an assumption of who I am just by looking. For example if someone were to look at me for the first time they would notice someone with generic clothing that is out of style and even sometimes stained with oil, also they would notice that my hair just lays flat with a complete lack of style. From what people see on the outside it’s easy for them to believe I’m just some punk kid who doesn’t care what happens to him now or in the future. This generalized assumption can’t be further from the truth because I try my hardest to excel in school and fulfill my future of becoming a dentist. I’m also happily married and I’m awaiting the birth of my first child. It’s just like when someone treats a Mythic rare card as just some worthless piece of paper (which some can be worth more than 1000 dollars). Though there are few people that know me they truly have been able to cherish my easy going, non-confrontational personality, and have especially been able to appreciate my willingness to go out of my way to help them in any way I can. Just like the few people that play Magic the Gathering can appreciate the power and value of a Mythic rare.

Another thing about a Mythic rare card is that because of their worth many people put them in plastic sleeves to prevent any damage and to protect their value. Though my body is fairly resilient to physical stress I feel that who I am emotionally is fairly fragile, especially when I am around new people I don’t know. I, like a Mythic Rare needs a protective sleeve to prevent any serious damage. My sleeve isn’t made of plastic though, it’s actually comedy and laughter which is just as vital to my protection as a plastic sleeve is to a Mythic rare. Whenever I’m in a new environment with people that I don’t know, who I believe could easily judge me in a way I don’t perceive myself I use jokes, witty remarks, and just about any other antic to get other people laugh and lighten these tense environments.

Mythic rares are very important to the Magic Community just as I am very important to my family and friends and anyone else that I have the opportunity to make smile, and we both are cherished my some yet misunderstood my many.