Kai’s Brave Little Goalkeeper
Kai is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
Coach Enzo the elephant blew the whistle. ‘Today we need a new goalkeeper!’ Kai gulped. Everyone looked at Kai. ‘Me?’ he squeaked.
Kai did not like the idea at all. The ball came so fast! What if it bumped his nose? What if it went past him? His tummy did a funny little flip-flop.
Kai pulled on the big orange gloves and stood in the goal. Elsa took the first shot. WHOOSH! The ball flew past, and Kai shut his eyes.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Coach Enzo, kneeling down. ‘Big breath in, big breath out.’ Kai took a deep breath. Then another. His tummy flip-flops began to slow down.
The next shot came. Open eyes. Big hands. Bounce! The ball landed right in Kai’s gloves. ‘I SAVED IT!’ he yelled, jumping up and down.
All through the game, Kai dived left and dived right. He saved four shots. Each one made him feel taller, braver and bigger.
After the match, Elsa gave Kai a high-five. ‘You’re a super goalkeeper!’ Kai grinned. Being scared hadn’t stopped him at all.
The little lesson
Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means you try anyway.
Let’s talk about it
- Is there anything that makes you feel nervous? What helps?
- Why do you think Kai felt better after the first save?
Finish stories to collect Kai as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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