Beth and the Animal Cup
The forest animals hold a football cup, but nobody can agree on the rules!
The forest was buzzing. At last, the animals were holding their very own football cup, and the winner would get a golden acorn trophy! Beth the bear was in goal... Er, was ready to play.
But there was a problem. Lena the cow was so big that the little ones kept bouncing off her. ‘That’s not fair!’ squeaked Juno the hedgehog. ‘Maybe we have to change the rules!’
They all talked at once. Lena wanted one rule. Juno wanted another. The ball sat in the middle looking very bored. Then Beth had a better idea.
‘What if Lena plays with a soft ball and the little ones get a head start?’ said Beth. ‘And everyone takes turns in goal!’ The animals thought about it. ‘Yes!’ they cheered.
The match began. Lena gently tapped the ball. Juno zipped round like a rocket. Beth passed and passed. It was the funniest, fairest football the forest had ever seen.
In the end, nobody could say who had won. ‘Let’s all share a golden acorn trophy,’ said Beth. So they did. And they cut it into the right number of pieces so that every animal got one.
As the stars came out, the animals went home, tired and full of happiness. Next year, they would hold the cup again. And this time, everyone knew the rules.
The little lesson
When we listen to each other, we can make rules that are fair for everybody.
Let’s talk about it
- What makes a game fair?
- Which animal would you like to play football with?
Finish stories to collect Beth as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Football stories
Nate’s Case of the Vanishing Goalposts
On Saturday morning, the goalposts have disappeared! Time for the Football Detectives.
Elsa’s Brave Little Goalkeeper
Elsa is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
Lily and the Missing Goals
On Saturday morning, the goalposts have disappeared! Time for the Football Detectives.
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