From the short story ‘Leaving’ by MG Vassanji, a character that I think is a good role model for

teenagers is Aloo. He is a good role model for teens because he is resourceful, obedient and
hard-working.

The first reason why I say he is a good role model is because he is resourceful. Resourceful
is defined as able to deal well with new or difficult situations and to find solutions to
problems. It is an admirable trait to have. Aloo is resourceful because when he is offered to
study in the university, he gets agriculture instead of medicine. Nonetheless, he does not
resign to his fate. Instead he does research and looks at prospectus of universities abroad. He
also writes letters to overseas universities to find a place. His resourcefulness pays off when
his mother sees the prospectus and finally lets him go. Aloo’s resourcefulness is why he is a
good role model for teenagers.

The second reason is because Aloo is obedient to his mother. Obedient here means
that doing, or willing to do, what you have been told to do by someone in authority, in this
case, his mother. Aloo is obediant to her because he does not fight her back when she says she
does not want him to leave him. He accepts her mother’s will even though he really wants to
study overseas. By being obedient, he did not hurt his mother’s feelings that in the end she
softens and understands his ambition. Aloo as an obediant son is why he is a good role model
to teenagers.

The third reason why Aloo is a good role model for teenagers is that he is hard-working.
Hard-working is a person who puts a lot of time and energy in doing something. Aloo is hard-
working as he puts a lot of energy into researching overseas universities after Mr Velji returns
from America and tells him of the opportunities to study there. He writes letters to
universities and reads a lot of prospectus. He never gives up until he finally gets a place in
Caltech University, one of the leading universities in America. His hard-working attitude is
why I say he is a good role model for teenagers.

In conclusion, Aloo is a fantastic role model for teenagers because of his resourcefulness,
obedience to his mother and his industrious attitude.