Eli’s New Kid on the Pitch
Eli just moved to town and doesn’t know anyone. Then a ball rolls by...
Eli the elephant had just moved to a new town. His things had come in a big blue van, and now he stood alone at the edge of Cherry Lane Pitch, hugging a football.
All the other children were laughing and playing. Eli wanted to say hello, but the words were stuck in his throat like jam in a jar.
Just then, a ball rolled across the grass, all the way to Eli’s feet. Kai the kitten came running. ‘Sorry!’ Kai panted. ‘Can you kick it back?’
Eli kicked the ball. It flew through the air, straight to Kai! ‘Whoa!’ said Kai. ‘Nice kick! Do you want to play with us?’
Eli nodded so hard his head almost wobbled off. Kai gave him a sky-blue shirt to wear. ‘Welcome to the Sky Wolves,’ said Kai.
Eli played and played. He passed to Kai. Kai passed to Luca. Luca passed back to Eli. It was like a happy ball dance.
That night, Eli looked out of the window at the new town. It didn’t feel so new anymore. ‘Tomorrow,’ he whispered, ‘I have friends to play with.’
The little lesson
A kind hello can turn a stranger into a friend.
Let’s talk about it
- How could you help a new child feel welcome?
- What do you think Eli was feeling at the start?
Finish stories to collect Eli as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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