Leo’s New Kid on the Pitch

Leo just moved to town and doesn’t know anyone. Then a ball rolls by...

Leo the bear had just moved to a new town. His things had come in a shiny green car, and now he stood alone at the edge of Willow Green, hugging a football.

All the other children were laughing and playing. Leo 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 Leo’s feet. Dev the deer came running. ‘Sorry!’ Dev panted. ‘Can you kick it back?’

Leo kicked the ball. It flew through the air, straight to Dev! ‘Whoa!’ said Dev. ‘Nice kick! Do you want to play with us?’

Leo nodded so hard his head almost wobbled off. Dev gave him a black shirt to wear. ‘Welcome to the Midnight Owls,’ said Dev.

Leo played and played. He passed to Dev. Dev passed to Toby. Toby passed back to Leo. It was like a happy ball dance.

That night, Leo 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 Leo was feeling at the start?

Finish stories to collect Leo as a sticker in your Sticker Book.

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