Pip’s Goal to Remember
Pip scores a goal that no one saw was wrong. What would you do?
It was the last minute of the semi-final. The score was 1-1. The Sky Wolves and the Sunny Rovers had both played brilliantly, and everyone on the sideline was holding their breath.
Ravi sent a long, curling pass high into the air. Pip jumped as high as he could. The ball bounced off his arm, rolled onto his foot and flew into the net. GOAL!
Half the crowd cheered. The other half groaned. But the referee, Jamal the elephant, had been looking the other way. Jamal pointed to the middle of the pitch. The goal counted!
The Sky Wolves ran to Pip, shouting with joy. But Pip wasn’t smiling. His tummy felt like it was full of stones. He knew the ball had touched his arm.
If Pip stayed quiet, the Sky Wolves would reach the final. If he spoke up, the goal would be taken away. Pip looked at Finn, who looked so sad. Pip took a big breath.
‘Referee,’ said Pip, walking over. ‘It hit my arm. It wasn’t a fair goal.’ The whole pitch went silent. Jamal blinked. ‘Thank you for telling me,’ Jamal said. ‘No goal.’
The Sky Wolves lost that day, 1-1, and then the Sunny Rovers won the shoot-out. But as Pip walked off, the crowd rose to clap. Even the Sunny Rovers cheered. Finn hugged him.
At the end of the season, Pip was given the Fair Play Cup. ‘I didn’t win the match,’ he said, holding it up. ‘But I won something even better. I feel proud of myself.’
The little lesson
Telling the truth when it is hard shows real strength.
Let’s talk about it
- Why was it hard for Pip to tell the truth?
- How did the others feel about Pip afterwards?
Finish stories to collect Pip as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Football stories
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?
Lola’s Smallest Team in the Cup
A tiny village team faces a mighty club in the cup. Can heart beat height?
You might also like
Nell’s Whale Who Lost Her Song
Nell the whale wakes up unable to sing. Her ocean friends lend a hand, or a fin.
Opal Says Sorry
Opal accidentally breaks Flo’s favourite kite and is too scared to say sorry.
Yuki’s First Tournament
Yuki is playing in her first tennis tournament against a much better opponent.