Daisy’s Longest Walk to the Penalty Spot
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Daisy is the very last kicker.
It was the cup final, and the score was 2-2. The stadium was packed with people waving flags. ‘We’re going to penalties!’ said Coach Tilly the turtle.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Daisy was chosen to take the last kick for the Blue Comets.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Blue Comets, one for the Sunny Rovers, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Daisy.
Daisy walked to the penalty spot. It felt like the longest walk ever. Her legs were wobbly. Her heart went thump-thump-thump. She could hear the whole stadium breathing.
Daisy remembered what Coach Tilly said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Daisy breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Daisy ran up to the ball. THWACK! The ball sailed past the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net. GOAL!
The Blue Comets lifted the cup into the air. Confetti fell like snow. Daisy was lifted onto Ben’s shoulders, laughing and laughing.
That night, Daisy lay in bed and held the match ball. Whether the ball went in or out, she knew one thing. She had walked up to that spot and tried, and that was the bravest thing of all.
The little lesson
You can’t control where the ball goes, but you can always try your bravest best.
Let’s talk about it
- What helps you stay calm when you feel nervous?
- Do you think Daisy still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Daisy as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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