The Day Percy Dived
Percy is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?
Coach Pip the pony blew the whistle. ‘Today we need a new goalkeeper!’ Percy gulped. Everyone looked at Percy. ‘Me?’ he squeaked.
Percy did not like the idea at all. The ball came so fast! What if it bumped his nose? What if it went past him? His tummy did a funny little flip-flop.
Percy pulled on the big orange gloves and stood in the goal. Esme took the first shot. WHOOSH! The ball flew past, and Percy shut his eyes.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Coach Pip, kneeling down. ‘Make yourself big, like a star.’ Percy took a deep breath. Then another. His tummy flip-flops began to slow down.
The next shot came. Open eyes. Big hands. Bounce! The ball landed right in Percy’s gloves. ‘I SAVED IT!’ he yelled, jumping up and down.
All through the game, Percy dived left and dived right. He saved four shots. Each one made him feel taller, braver and bigger.
After the match, Esme gave Percy a high-five. ‘You’re a super goalkeeper!’ Percy grinned. Being scared hadn’t stopped him at all.
The little lesson
Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means you try anyway.
Let’s talk about it
- Is there anything that makes you feel nervous? What helps?
- Why do you think Percy felt better after the first save?
Finish stories to collect Percy as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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Rory scores a goal that no one saw was wrong. What would you do?
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