Otto the Goalkeeper
Otto is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
Coach Bear the bear blew the whistle. ‘Today we need a new goalkeeper!’ Otto gulped. Everyone looked at Otto. ‘Me?’ he squeaked.
Otto 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.
Otto pulled on the big orange gloves and stood in the goal. Esme took the first shot. WHOOSH! The ball flew past, and Otto shut his eyes.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Coach Bear, kneeling down. ‘Smile, and the ball will feel friendly.’ Otto 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 Otto’s gloves. ‘I SAVED IT!’ he yelled, jumping up and down.
All through the game, Otto dived left and dived right. He saved four shots. Each one made him feel taller, braver and bigger.
After the match, Esme gave Otto a high-five. ‘You’re a super goalkeeper!’ Otto 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 Otto felt better after the first save?
Finish stories to collect Otto as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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