From Hidden Brain Media, I'm Shankarvedanthem. This is my unsung hero, stories where one person reached

out to help another in a time of need.

My Ensign Hero is a Frenchman.

She had given me exactly what I needed in that time.

I was fortunate enough to survive with the help of this man, this doctor,

who went out of his way to help save my life.

Today's story comes from Iranda Jiawicrama.

In July 2000, Iranda Jairwicrama.

In July 2000, Iranda had just finished high school

and was in a flight from Colombo Sri Lanka to Paris.

He'd won a French poetry writing competition and the trip was his reward.

It was his first time flying overseas by himself.

I was both excited about my first solo trip out of Sri Lanka

but also worried about how I was going to manage getting around France.

My job was to get to Charlegull Airport, take the metro to downtown Paris, and then make my way to an

address where I will meet the other

distance from around the world who had won similar competitions.

Now I had only been speaking French for three years

so I was really worried that I would get lost in the Paris airport

or on the metro or in the city itself.

I mean what if I wasn't able to find the address on time and the students left without me?

So there I was, worrying myself silly on the flight.

...