Percy Jackson is one of my favourite fantasy series. Although only the first two out of five of the Percy Jackson series are distributed into films, I like this series very much. I prefer the books than the movies very much, because the way the author Rick Riordan writes can always make me laugh even though he is writing a really serious matter. Among the gods and heroes who are either strong, intelligent or capable, my favourite supporting charactor is Chiron.

Chiron is the director of activities at Camp Half-Blood in the Percy Jackson novel series. He posed as Mr.Brunner- Percy’s favourite Latin teacher to protect Percy from the monsters. Before Percy has discovered his abnormality with the other children-he is a half-blood- Mr.Brunner teaches in Percy school to instruct him when he thinks Percy might be a big deal. Chiron also pushes Percy on his Latin class, setting high expectations for him because he wants him to know more about the Greek God. It is not until Percy discovered that his knowledgeable teacher is a centaur with upper human body leg, and instead of a pair of legs, he has horse’s legs. Chiron stays in his wheelchair in the school which is believed magical and enchanted to hold numerous items.

Due to Chiron’s immortality, he has taught a lot of heroes throughout his life in Camp Half-Blood. Most of the time he teaches the demi-gods in the camp how to protect themselves from the monster. He tries to train Percy as much as he can and is disappointed when he sent Percy on his quest since he is not able to train Percy as he did with the other heroes before.

“I’ve met plenty of embarrassing parents, but Kronos, the evil Titan Lord who wanted to destroy Western Civilization? Not the kind of dad you invited to school for Career Day.”

― Rick Riordan, The Sea of Monster

Chiron’s father is Kronos, which makes him different with the other centaur. Unlike the other centaurs, wild, violent and uncultured, Chiron is civilized, intelligent and kind. Normal centaur is not immortal but Chiron has gained his immortality from the gods. Some might say Chiron is not immortal, but somehow the gods provide him to live teaching until he is needed, that is to say he can stay alive as long as he wishes so.

I think Chiron the character throughout the Percy Jackson series is essential and provides positive image. He is like a hunter who discovers treasures and turns them into real gold. After Grover the satyr reports to him about Percy, Chiron posed as a teacher in his wheelchair just to keep an eye on Percy and he also protects Percy from being killed by the monster in the museum at the beginning of the novel. He trains Percy and explains to him the Camp Half-Blood. Other than that, he gives Percy advice and acts like his life mentor. He treats the demi-gods in the camp true-heartedly and takes good care of them. Not only Percy, most of the heroes in the camp like and respect Chiron.

Since the demi-gods do not always get the chance to see their parents (some does not even know who their parents are), Chiron acts as their teacher and also acts as their guardian. For those who have been living in Camp Half-Blood since young, such as Annabeth Chase, Chiron is somewhat like a father to her. He handles the activities in the camp and acts as the tutors of most, be remarkably patient to all of the campers, even those that can be exceptionally hard to deal with.

Chiron always gives Percy and his fellow friends plenty of advices before they are off for their quest. He asks Percy to take good care and does not stop him from heading to the dangers. Chiron does not treat Percy as a little teenager and protect him under his shadow, at the contrast, he trains him, giving him the power to protect himself by teaching him. He supports him and advises him before his quest. He surely has deep faith in Percy and constantly pushes him to excel in studies, even in the time he is still his Latin teacher.

People tend to remember the name of the heroes and what they did, but the one who discovers their talent, cultivates them, trains them, encourages them and supports them is left to be forgotten. I think it can much describe the role of teacher nowadays, a hero can only be a hero, but a teacher can build a lot of heroes. There are always a lot of different kinds of heroes in every age, yet sometimes it is hard to have someone who discovers your talent and cultivate you. As the saying goes: “Pearls are everywhere but not the same as the eyes.”

Behind every hero, there is either a Dumbledore, or a Chiron. Maybe all we need is a Chiron to becoming a hero.

You’ll do well, Percy. Just remember your strengths and beware your weaknesses.

– chiron (Rick Riordan)