What can be said about Harry Potter? He's still here -- alive and well! And now Luke Skywalker has rejoined the ranks! The life of both of these young men have captured the imagination of hundreds of millions of readers and viewers and counting. And what makes them real? Why, because they're real boys -- straight from the imagination of their creators!

"The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me," intimated both authors on separate occasions. "In low times of our lives, one has to achieve something, rise to some kind of challenges to keep from going stark raving mad," they both agreed.

Both authors have written about ordinary boys in extraordinary circumstances, living with cruelty, banished to a lives of isolation. Well, wouldn't you want to escape? And wouldn't every reader identify with them on some level? And wouldn't they all fear for their lives, certain they couldn't prevail, not until they see both of them in their different circumstances emerge victorious.

I have read only one Harry Potter book and only seen the first "Star Wars" -- yes, in 1979 -- but I have read up on them both. I know of the children and parents parked outside of bookstores and movie houses for days on end. Parents have braved crowds before in the name of getting their children what they wanted. Remember the Cabbage Patch Doll? (Oh, do I remember the Cabbage Patch Doll!) And then, it was Tickle-Me-Elmo, Beanie Babies -- and the special Purple Bear Beanie Baby in honor of Princess Diana, proceeds going to the special Land Mine Society created in her name. "Oh, I gotta have it, Mom!" the kids all said.

I thought something was wrong with that need to possess, but I got into it myself when a three year old fell in love with Sesame Street's adorable little Elmo. Tickle that furry little belly and he laughs making the child laugh, and the world is so fine in that moment. Within hours, the same child is sitting in front of the television set, Elmo in one hand, thumb of the other in his mouth. Any flight of the imagination is grounded in the reality of what's on.

Harry Potter, however, has grabbed them from the television set and play stations and Luke Skywalker has lifted them from the couch as swiftly as he himself is lifted in his spacecraft. They learn the tricks of their respective worlds -- one the wizard's trade, the other a space cadet's trade. They are involved. They're right there when warnings of danger and disaster appear. Their intuitions prove to be true and they are faced with new torments and the reader bravely goes along with them.

Along with everything else about these two young boys is a message, not planted mind you, but matter-of-fact. Our young people learn about being brave, standing tall, love is powerful and truth will out.

But do they? What are the fallacies here? Are two different authors telling the same story? Are we being hyped and snipped? Let's compare the two.

• Luke Skywalker: He doesn't know his parents, is raised by an aunt and Uncle who never tell him who he really is. He goes head to head with Darth Vader to aid rebel forces in their fight against the empire. Somehow he is left maimed in one of those fights losing his hand.
  
  
• Harry Potter: Ditto! He doesn't know his parents, is raised by an aunt and Uncle who never tell him who he really is. He goes head to head with Lord Valdemort to save the world of wizardry. Somehow he is left maimed in one of those fights suffering a lighting-bolt scar on his forehead.
  
  
  
  
• Han Solo: Wisecracking best friend who fights alongside Luke and Leia to save the galaxy from the evil power of Darth Vader. Hans is masterful behind the Millennium Falcon's controls constantly getting the trio out of jams. He has the hots for Princess Leia.
  
  
• Ron Weasley: Ditto! Wisecracking best friend who fights alongside Harry and Hermione to save the world of wizardry from the power of Lord Voldemort. Ron is masterful at wizard chess and he is constantly getting the trio out of jams. He has the hots for Hermione.
  
  
  
  
• Princess Leia: She is a highly educated young woman who helps save the galaxy from evil control. She always has a cool head and from the best galactic learning institutions. She in turn has the hots for Han!
  
  
• Hermione Granger: Ditto! She is a smart young girl, has a cool head and is highly educated in wizardry. She often gets Harry and Ron out of danger using the many skills she has learned. Will she grow up to marry Ron?
  
  
  
  
• Darth Vader: Born Anakin Skywalker, he was to become a great Jedi Knight. But alas, he succumbed to his Dark Side and eventually he became the embodiment of evil. Once his teacher, Obi Wan "Ben" Kenobi is his mortal enemy.
  
  
• Lord Voldemort: Ditto! Born Tom Riddle, he was to become the greatest wizard of all time! But alas, he succumbed to his Dark Side and eventually he became the embodiment of evil. Once his teacher, Albus Dumbledore becomes his feared enemy.
  
  
  
  
• Obi Wan "Ben" Kenobi: One of the most accomplished of the Jedi Knights, he was entrusted to take over the tutelage of Anakin Skywalker. Always appearing at appropriate times, he acts as a spiritual guide in Luke's quest.
  
  
• Albus Dumbledore: Ditto! One of the most accomplished of the Master Wizards, he was entrusted to take over the tutelage of Tom Riddle. Always appearing at appropriate times, he acts as Harry's moral center.
  
  
  
  
• Chewbacca: Extremely large and hairy co-pilot.
  
  
• Hagrid: Extremely large and hairy gamekeeper.

So, there you have it! The same story chewed over and over. But we never tire of it, do we?