Kira Takes the Penalty
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Kira 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 Eli the deer.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Kira was chosen to take the last kick for the Purple Stars.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Purple Stars, one for the Red Rockets, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Kira.
Kira 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.
Kira remembered what Coach Eli said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Kira breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Kira ran up to the ball. THWACK! The goalkeeper stretched out a glove and the ball went just wide of the post. A big, quiet silence fell across the pitch.
The Red Rockets won the cup that day. Kira felt a wobbly lump in her throat. But Ruby shook her hand, and Freya wrapped an arm around her. ‘We’re proud of you,’ said the team. And Kira smiled.
That night, Kira 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 Kira still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Kira as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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