Percy’s Last Penalty
The cup final comes down to penalties, and Percy 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 Omar the owl.
Each team would take five penalty kicks. The players hugged in a big circle on the pitch. Percy was chosen to take the last kick for the Lime Leopards.
The first four kicks came and went. One for the Lime Leopards, one for the Purple Stars, and on it went. After four kicks each, the score was level. It all came down to Percy.
Percy walked to the penalty spot. It felt like the longest walk ever. His legs were wobbly. His heart went thump-thump-thump. He could hear the whole stadium breathing.
Percy remembered what Coach Omar said. ‘Breathe in, breathe out. Pick a spot. Kick it like you do in the park.’ Percy breathed in for a count of three, and out for a count of three.
The whistle blew. Percy 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 Purple Stars won the cup that day. Percy felt a wobbly lump in his throat. But Sana shook his hand, and Manu wrapped an arm around him. ‘We’re proud of you,’ said the team. And Percy smiled.
That night, Percy lay in bed and held the match ball. Whether the ball went in or out, he knew one thing. He 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 Percy still felt proud at the end? Why?
Finish stories to collect Percy as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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