"The Spiderman of the 18th" speaks with the President. Mamoudou Gassama's selfless act awarded him more than citizenship, a job, and a bravo from the President, it has given him–and all of us–l'éspoir in humankind. Let's hope that after the media invasion, this former refugee will be left in peace–to grow and to find happiness, and, finally, a bit of rest, in France. Read about this man's bravery.
Today's word: escalader
: to scale, to climb
Listen to Jean-Marc read the sentence below, and today's word, in French:
Filmé par des passants, l’acte spontané de Mamoudou Gassama samedi à Paris a été vu des millions de fois sur les réseaux sociaux : on le voit escalader, à mains nues et en moins de trente secondes, la façade d’un immeuble parisien pour sauver un enfant de 4 ans suspendu à un balcon au 4e étage. —www.ladepeche.fr
Filmed by passersby, the spontaneous act of Mamoudou Gassama Saturday in Paris has been seen millions of times on social networks: we see him climb, with bare hands and in less than thirty seconds, the facade of a Parisian building to save a 4-year-old child hanging on a balcony on the 4th floor.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi Espinasse
By Monday morning, the heroic act of Mamoudou Gassama was all over the media. In awe along with the rest of France, I sat with my coffee, in bed, reading about the 22-year-old Malian refugee who had acted on instinct to save a 4-year-old child from imminent death. In his parents' absence (the father had stepped out for a few courses, or items at the store), the petit bonhomme wandered out onto the terrace of a 5th-floor apartment…and ended up dangling from the balcony.
In the 18th Arrondissement of Paris…
As a crowd gathered below, screaming in horror, the young Malian man, who had been walking past, quickly assessed the situation before springing–quite literally!–to action. Within 30 seconds he had scaled the side of the building, going from balcony to balcony–at times jumping to reach the next level. Thank God he did not miss the bar!
Reaching the 5th floor he landed on the balcony, having swooped up the crying child. The two safe inside the apartment, Mamadou had to sit down, his legs were trembling so badly. One can imagine his emotions were every bit as shaken. He had just taken a selfless risk, and could have easily slipped to his own death.
Mamoudou recounted the incident to journalists:
"J'ai eu peur quand j'ai sauvé l'enfant et puis on est allés dans le salon, je me suis mis à trembler, je n'arrivais plus à tenir sur mes pieds, j'ai du m'asseoir" I was afraid when I was saving the child, and then we went into the living room and I began to tremble. I could no longer stand up with my feet. I had to sit down.
Dubbed "The Spiderman of the 18th"
In a second act of bravery, this Malian refugee faced an onslaught of reporters outside the hospital, where the firefighters had taken him and the child.
Watching the news again Monday night, I was struck by this young man's composure and ability to speak a foreign language under a barrage of questions and the blaring, flashing camera lights.
When he woke up, Saturday morning, the man who had escaped to France only last September, could never have dreamed the start of a new week would include a visit to the guilded salon of L'Elysee, a personal bravo and a job offer by French President Macron, and the gift of French citizenship; a cadeau even more precious to a young man who had travelled from from Mali to Burkina Faso, to Nigeria, and to Libya, where he was beaten before managing to get on a boat and cross the sea to Italy. His hope was to reach somebody who could help him, he who had been displaced from a very young age. On his way, he ended up helping a child–every bit as displaced as Mamadou had been.
We wish Mamoudou bon courage and bonne continuation, especially as he faces all the attention–the good and the bad (the jealousy, the questioning, the prying)– that comes with being thrown into the spotlight.
As for the job? If he accepts, Mamoudou will soon be working as a fireman in Paris. I think you would agree, dear reader, that he more than passes the physical fitness test! More than that, he is an example to all of us to not hold back, to protect the innocent, and to be as graceful and recongizant as he, before a media flurry–or simply life's flurry.
"Dieu merci, je l'ai sauvé." Thank God, I saved him. "Je l’ai fait parce que c’est un enfant. J’aime beaucoup les enfants. Je n’ai pas pensé aux étages. Je n’ai pas pensé au risque." I did it because it was a child. I love children. I didn't think about all the floors. I didn't think about the risk.
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Incredible bravery .He deserves every accolade An example to us all Like you I watched the footage in awe !
Dear Kristi,
Thank for this inspiring and well written post. It is one I am sharing with my friends.
You are doing good work!
Leslie Schultz
Good post Kristi. Je suis d’accord!
Amazing! And, mesmerizing to watch him spring up the balconies. A hero! Thank you for recounting the story-I hadn’t heard the interview. That is one very lucky little boy!
God Bless Mamoudou Gassama and good luck to him on his new job! Any country would be proud to have him as a citizen!
Oh, joy, that there are humans on this earth like this young man, selfless and able to act on instinct.
Thank you for recounting the story of this man’s bravery. I had watched the footage of his rapid ascent several times on Sunday and Monday and it stills seem miraculous that he was able to get to the child so quickly. I think it’s very telling, and touching, that his body gave way once he had the little boy safely in the house. I agree with you that I hope he is left alone so that he can go on with his life. I am glad that he will become a citizen and may serve the people of Paris as a fire fighter.
What a great idea from President Macron to offer such a noble job! He deserves it.
WOW! That’s all I can say.
Thank you for writing more about this. We’ve heard some of what happened, but it is wonderful to hear more. If only more people would care for the little ones so selflessly!!! I am so glad he was rewarded generously for his bravery and caring!! Thank God he didn’t just continue as he passed by!
I followed this in the UK press and I’m so glad that you wrote as you did, with feeling.
Such an incredible and deeply moving story…. Saw the news video several times and marveled at this young man’s strength and agility. These are the kinds of stories that inspire us all and renew our faith in our fellow human beings. Thank you, Kristin, for writing about it.
What a brave young man. Any country would be lucky to count him among its citizens. We are all in this together and for me this is a reminder of how much we (humans) need each other.
I am ashamed to say, we are offering no asylum to refugees here in the U.S. no matter who or what they are running from!
This is courage – to act in spite of being afraid.
May God bless this young man and may he find his place in this new life. Yes, Thank God he was in the right place at the right time. It was ‘not by chance’.
It is so comforting to hear about the good in the world these days.
Such a great story … and so is your post! Merci mille fois!
….. Thank god there are men like him in this world! He is a true hero and I hop his rewards will be many. Thank you for a well written story… J. Dunn
Quelle histoire !
Gracious and recognizant, your English vocabulary is ahead of mine. Alert and humble?
What terms are those en français ? That is, gracious and recognizant. I had to look up that second English word.
Thanks for alerting me to this amazing man and his story. Life hangs on such momentary decisions.
Great reporting .
What inspiration! Thanks for sharing his bravery and the welcome he is finding in France, his new home!
Our Dear Kristi,
We applaud this brave man and his courage!
And! Thank YOU for sharing this story with us.There is always so much negativity and bad news trying to surround us;seeing and reading of such selflessness is indeed inspiring hope for mankind.
Love
Natalia XO
Teri, my feelings exactly! WOW!
Made my day. Merci Beaucoup!
The other part that needs to be addressed is that a four year old was left alone.
Lovely story! I just wanted to add that The language of Mali is French. It is part of the francophone world.
Incredible!
In the selfless act of saving someone else, he saved himself. Isn’t that the way it always is?
Hi Kristi
One report said the little boy had been left alone playing Pokeman Go, and that’s why he ended up over the balcony…, and that he’d already fallen 15ft before he reached the balcony where Mamoudou saved him. All credit to the incredibly brave Mamoudou, totally inspiring. As for the parents of the little boy, words fail me.
Mamoudou did an exceptionally brave thing saving the young child. Marconi did the right thing in offering citizenship and a job. Both acts show how to follow your instincts and to reward the extordinary abilities of the young man.
This shows true compassion, bravery and just instinct to help others. I wish more people were like this.
Kristi, thank you for writing about this.
Kathleen
What a selfless and generous young man! Thank you for the details of this story.
Good for President Macron for recognizing and rewarding Mamoudou’s heroic act. Vive la France!
You have a beautiful platform to inspire, Kristi, so thank you for covering this incredible, most amazing story. Thank YOU for selflessly serving ….
always so gracious, humble, kind, and wise.