Tariq’s Great Forest Cup
The forest animals hold a football cup, but nobody can agree on the rules!
The forest was buzzing. At last, the animals were holding their very own football cup, and the winner would get a rainbow ribbon! Tariq the raccoon was in goal... Er, was ready to play.
But there was a problem. Gia the tiger was so big that the little ones kept bouncing off her. ‘That’s not fair!’ squeaked Remy the bee. ‘Maybe we have to change the rules!’
They all talked at once. Gia wanted one rule. Remy wanted another. The ball sat in the middle looking very bored. Then Tariq had a better idea.
‘What if Gia plays with a soft ball and the little ones get a head start?’ said Tariq. ‘And everyone takes turns in goal!’ The animals thought about it. ‘Yes!’ they cheered.
The match began. Gia gently tapped the ball. Remy zipped round like a rocket. Tariq passed and passed. It was the funniest, fairest football the forest had ever seen.
In the end, nobody could say who had won. ‘Let’s all share a rainbow ribbon,’ said Tariq. So they did. And they cut it into the right number of pieces so that every animal got one.
As the stars came out, the animals went home, tired and full of happiness. Next year, they would hold the cup again. And this time, everyone knew the rules.
The little lesson
When we listen to each other, we can make rules that are fair for everybody.
Let’s talk about it
- What makes a game fair?
- Which animal would you like to play football with?
Finish stories to collect Tariq as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Football stories
Beth and the Animal Cup
The forest animals hold a football cup, but nobody can agree on the rules!
Nate’s Case of the Vanishing Goalposts
On Saturday morning, the goalposts have disappeared! Time for the Football Detectives.
Elsa’s Brave Little Goalkeeper
Elsa is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
You might also like
Tilly and the Leaf Pile
The leaves are falling in a rainbow. Tilly and friends gather the biggest leaf pile.
Cleo Mixes Up the Magic
Cleo is trying to tidy up with a spell, but a few words get muddled. Everything goes bonkers!
Wait for It, Daisy!
Daisy plants a seed and waits. And waits. And waits some more.