Pearl’s Longest Walk to the Penalty Spot
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Pearl 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 Otto the deer.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Pearl was chosen to take the last kick for the Pink Panthers.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Pink Panthers, one for the Teal Turtles, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Pearl.
Pearl 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.
Pearl remembered what Coach Otto said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Pearl breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Pearl ran up to the ball. THWACK! The ball rocketed in under the keeper’s arm. GOAL! The stadium shook with cheers.
The Pink Panthers won the cup, and the noise was so loud the pigeons flew off the roof. Pearl hugged Eli until they both fell over, giggling.
That night, Pearl 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 Pearl still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Pearl as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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