Hero lost his way in social glare

Comment on "Young hero of '08 quake stands trial" (China Daily, Nov 4)

The degeneration of a hero is always lamentable. But the answer to why Lei Chunian turned from a hero into a fraud could be found in the excessive social honors and rewards he was showered with. The sudden media glare and fame blinded him to reality, and an immature mind became a victim of luxurious lifestyle.

Despite being a mediocre student, he was exempted from taking the entrance exam of a key middle school. This prevented him from realizing how hard an ordinary student has to work to get admitted to such a school.