Pip’s First Kick
Pip the panda has never kicked a ball before. Today is the big day!
Pip the panda loved watching the big kids play football at Duckpond Park. The ball went zoom, zoom, zoom! He wished he could play too.
‘Do you want to play?’ asked Priya the girl. Pip nodded. Priya rolled the ball across the grass, all the way to Pip’s feet.
Pip took a big swing and KICK! Oh no! The ball bounced the wrong way and rolled into the bushes. ‘Never mind,’ said Priya. ‘Try again!’
Pip tried again. And again. He wobbled. He tumbled. He giggled. Kicking was much harder than it looked!
Then Pip took a deep breath. ‘Eyes on the ball,’ he whispered. He kicked. THUMP! The ball rolled straight to Priya. ‘You did it!’ cheered Priya.
They kicked the ball back and forth until the sun began to sink. Pip had a banana for being brave.
Pip skipped home with muddy knees and a great big smile. Tomorrow, he would kick even better. Hooray for Pip!
The little lesson
Every great player starts with one small, wobbly kick.
Let’s talk about it
- What is something new you tried that felt wobbly at first?
- Who helps you when you are learning something new?
Finish stories to collect Pip as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Football stories
Danny’s Loudest Cheer in the Stadium
Danny is going to a real stadium for the very first time!
Zara’s Old Boots in the Attic
In the attic, Zara finds a pair of dusty old boots with a name inside.
Sia’s Woodland Football Match
The forest animals hold a football cup, but nobody can agree on the rules!
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