Deep Breath, Ravi
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Ravi 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 Basil the bear.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Ravi was chosen to take the last kick for the Red Rockets.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Red Rockets, one for the Maroon Mighty, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Ravi.
Ravi walked to the penalty spot. It felt like the longest walk ever. His legs were wobbly. His heart went thump-thump-thump. He could hear the whole stadium breathing.
Ravi remembered what Coach Basil said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Ravi breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Ravi ran up to the ball. THWACK! The ball skimmed the crossbar and bounced into the net. GOAL! ‘It went in!’ Ravi yelled, and the crowd went wild.
When the whistle blew, the Red Rockets were champions. Ravi held the cup high, and every single teammate got to hold it too.
That night, Ravi lay in bed and held the match ball. Whether the ball went in or out, he knew one thing. He 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 Ravi still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Ravi as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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Match Day with Vera
Pearl is going to a real stadium for the very first time!
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