Noah Stands Between the Posts
Noah is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
Coach Daisy the bear blew the whistle. ‘Today we need a new goalkeeper!’ Noah gulped. Everyone looked at Noah. ‘Me?’ he squeaked.
Noah 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.
Noah pulled on the big orange gloves and stood in the goal. Finn took the first shot. WHOOSH! The ball flew past, and Noah shut his eyes.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Coach Daisy, kneeling down. ‘Make yourself big, like a star.’ Noah 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 Noah’s gloves. ‘I SAVED IT!’ he yelled, jumping up and down.
All through the game, Noah dived left and dived right. He saved four shots. Each one made him feel taller, braver and bigger.
After the match, Finn gave Noah a high-five. ‘You’re a super goalkeeper!’ Noah 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 Noah felt better after the first save?
Finish stories to collect Noah as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Football stories
Pip’s Goal to Remember
Pip scores a goal that no one saw was wrong. What would you do?
Lola’s Team Nobody Expected
The big kids always use the pitch. So Lola and friends make a team of their own.
Rufus and the Missing Boot
It’s match day, but Rufus can only find one boot. Where could it be?
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