Femi Scores

Femi was not the best athlete on the team. He was the slowest player, and he knew it. Every Sunday, the village team played five-a-side football on the cold pitch behind the church. The other players ran faster. They scored more goals. Femi only ran and tried.

“Keep going,” the coach always said. “You're better than last week.”

One cold morning, the ball came to Femi near the goal. He did not think. He just kicked it. The ball went past the keeper and into the net.

Femi scored! His first goal, ever. The whole team shouted his name. The coach laughed and clapped.

“See?” the coach said. “Today you're the best winner here.”

Femi was still the slowest player. But that morning, on the cold pitch, he didn't care at all.