In the new animated movie Kung Fu Panda, a (you guessed it!) panda named Po, voiced by Jack Black, is unexpectedly chosen to train among his Kung Fu idols. Although big and somewhat clumsy, Po works to become a Kung Fu master and defend The Valley of Peace from an evil snow leopard, Tai Lung.

We asked our readers to tell us about the unlikely heroes in their own lives. From a woman who was inspired by her friend's battle with cancer, to a compassionate child and a resilient hamster--your heroes come in all forms. Click through our gallery of unlikely heroes.

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My youngest son, who is 22, inspires me and is one of my heroes.

It was a typical night for us. We were just preparing to call it a night [when] we heard...an outside fire alarm. As we opened our front door, [we saw that] the building next to ours was largely engulfed in fire!

I ran to join our neighbors furiously banging on doors, hoping to alert everybody to get out. A few minutes later, I [realized] I couldn't find my son [who was 12-years-old at the time]. I frantically ran around the burning building. Just as I was launching [into] panic mode, my neighbor said, "Steve, your son is over at the community clubhouse, making coffee for people." My son was opening his heart and reaching out on his own.

Two weeks after the fire, I got an excited phone call from my son at work, which I will always cherish. "Dad! I found Rattle--and he's alive! Can you believe it Dad?!" Rattle, was our young friend's hamster [who went missing during the fire]. Matt, searched the rubble, saw motion, and there he was! "Dad, He smells like smoke, but he is alive!" That afternoon, sitting in my office, I cried and could not wait to get home, hug my son, and tell him that he had behaved as God does for us. I grew that day thanks to a child and a tough little hamster named Rattle!

--SChapman

My dad was a real hero. He saved two people from fires, and I always knew he would save me if I ever needed him to. That's a real hero. Sure, he had blemishes of character, but don't we all? We are all human after all. I hope he knows that the things he taught me by word and example, are the things that will take me through life knowing how to be strong, when to be brave and how to love, honestly. I love you, daddy.

--wildegirlny37

Two months ago my best friend Suzanne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at a very young age. She faced the diagnosis with fear at first, but as she researched treatment options, her fear turned to hope. She underwent major surgery and emerged scarred but cancer free, as the doctors were able to completely remove two tumors surrounding each of her ovaries. She was prepared for the worst but thankfully it ended happily. I'll never forget the strength she showed. She is my hero for teaching me how to handle even the darkest life moments with courage and grace.

--Lynn Beatty

I have a personal story about someone I consider to be a hero. On May 29, 2003 my daughter Kaitlyn was born. Within her 11th hour of life, Dr. Fredrick Leong, Pediatric Cardiologist diagnosed her with transposition of the great vessels. He told us that open-heart surgery was imminent, and crucial in order to save her live. He immediately transferred her to U.C.L.A. via ambulance for the surgery.

The cardiac team at U.C.L.A. performed the surgery and the P.I.C.U. team monitored her and kept her alive. Everyone there is a hero too. Because of Dr. Leong's accurate diagnosis and quick action, we were able to take our beautiful daughter home when she was two-months-old. She is our miracle baby, and Dr. Fredrick Leong is a hero to many families, not just ours.

--dovemom

My unlikely hero is a man I have worked with for 6 years. He and his wife could not have children and several years ago they decided to adopt. They did not, however, try to adopt an infant. They adopted three siblings--two boys and a girl who are now young teenagers. I can tell from the way he talks about them that they are the apples of his eye. But still, it has got to be a challenge raising those kids! He and his wife are very giving people. They are Christians and raising their children in the church. He is a very outgoing, talkative, crazy man, but still he is my unlikely hero.

--Dharmab31

How about that young man/woman who dresses weird, has body tattoos and metal objects stapled on them, who take the time to help a crotchety old person across a busy inter-section? How about that [tough] looking male sitting in the subway car who gives-up his seat for a toddler? Or maybe that faceless/nameless individual who is out of work giving one of their last dollars to another nameless/faceless young mother with two children who cannot quite come up with the full amount at the grocery store check-out line?

People who "accidently" come into contact with another and do these very small acts of heroism (or perhaps we can call it kindness) on a daily basis, get no reward and are not looking for anything. Heroes come in small packages and they come in very large, bigger-than-life packages. They come with disabilities. They come from impoverished inner-city dwellings. They also come with mega bank accounts. All sizes, all shapes, all color and stripe. They do "small" things for their fellow human yet "large" things in the eyes of God.

--klauden

My friend John is a hero. He has helped me become stronger, more able to experiment, and has never left me hanging out to dry. He is a loving, outgoing person who encourages others to try. John is truly an inspiration.

--shocharah

Don't relegate heroes to an afterthought. And don't just appreciate disaster rescuers. Think of those who give us respite from life's daily burdens. A hero is anyone who goes beyond the bounds of responsibility. Recognize when someone does something when they could have done nothing-- those who lift us with kindness and laughter. "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom," offered Marcel Proust.

--spiritlinks