McKade
peaked around the bleachers at the kids practicing football.
He loved to play football in his backyard with the neighborhood
kids. He enjoyed it because he was the biggest one and he
was good! But his school football team was different. Even
though McKade was the same age as these kids, he hadn't quite
grown as much as they had over the summer.
That
night McKade's Dad asked him, "Are you O.K.? You seem a little
down."
"It's
about football. I really wish I could play on the schools
team." He said.
"Why
can't you?" asked his Dad.
"Have
you seen those guys? They're huge! I wouldn't be good and
I'd get clobbered!" McKade answered.
"You're
right. With that attitude you wouldn't be good and you probably
would get clobbered!" said his Dad.
"You
don't understand." McKade said under his breath as he walked
away.
After
school the next day McKade watched the football practice again.
He imagined he was the star player running for a touchdown
with the crowd going wild!
"How
was school today?" McKade's Dad asked.
"Fine."
"I've
been thinking about our talk yesterday. You like playing the
game, right?" asked his Dad.
"Yes,
with the small kids in the neighborhood."
"Why?"
asked his Dad.
"Because
I'm good!" said McKade.
"It
doesn't matter if you're the best player on the team or the
worst. What's important is having fun and learning how to
get better! Are you having fun when you watch the team practice?"
asked his Dad.
"No."
answered McKade.
"Would
you be having more fun if you were playing the game?"
"Yes."
Said McKade.
"Then
why not give it a try?"
After
school, this time instead of watching, McKade asked if he
could join practice. When the coach agreed, McKade was excited
and scared. "Well, here goes nothing." He thought.
To
McKade's delight, he didn't get clobbered! He did o.k. He
tried his hardest and had fun doing it! After practice McKade
was a bit surprised. His teammates weren't as big as he thought
when they weren't wearing their pads.
McKade
was very thankful he had talked to his Dad. With his Dad's
support and McKade's determination he made the team. He wasn't
the star player yet, but maybe next year…or the year after!
