When a roughneck does something that sticks in the public imagination, the first thing that happens is the story is repeated. Word of a daring escape or a bold act of defiance travels, gets embellished, and finally takes on the rhythm of a folk tale. People then look at the figure through the lens of their own values—courage, freedom, or rebellion. Once the narrative is set, it becomes a shorthand for a larger idea, and that’s what makes an outlaw a myth rather than just a criminal. It’s a combination of dramatic deeds, the way stories are told, and the cultural context that gives the legend its lasting power.

Yes, history has its share. Take the tale of Joan of Arc—she led a small army after one bold vision, and that single act became the symbol of resistance for centuries. It shows how one courageous moment, if told and retold, can turn a person into a lasting legend.

Indeed, a single brave act can ripple through time, shaping ideals long after the event itself. It reminds us that history often listens more to the stories we choose to honor than to the laws that governed the moment.