A Will To Succeed
JOSEPH'S GOAL
Two more weeks. Two more weeks until Joseph's first soccer game. After almost a whole summer of practice, the Reds were ready for their first game against the Blues. Joseph liked that a lot of his friends were on the Red team with him. But unfortunately, Joseph was not known for his good kicking. He was going up against the Blue team's Buddy Barnes ,the best soccer player in the sixth grade, who had earned the nickname "Fab Feet" for his amazing long-distance kicks. But it wasn't just Buddy Barnes that scared him. It was the thought that he may not do well, because Joseph had autism.
When the day came of the final practice, everyone was ready. The coach blew the whistle. The practice started. Someone kicked the ball. Joseph got the ball, and passed it to someone else. The ball got passed back to him. He kicked and...... he scored! Joseph jumped up and down with excitement! The coach blew the whistle and ordered everyone to the benches. Joseph ran over to high-five his teammates, but everyone groaned and turned away.
Soon, Joseph's dad came over to him.
"I'm so sorry, Sport. And you tried really hard, too."
Joseph didn't know what his dad was talking about. Hadn't he seen him out on the field? He scored a goal! Wasn't Dad paying any attention?
"Daddy, what are you talking about? I scored a goal!"
"But, for the wrong team, buddy. I'm sorry," Dad walked away.
Joseph was very mixed up. He was sad and angry all at the same time. He really didn't understand. Joseph went home very upset.
When the day came of the final practice, everyone was ready. The coach blew the whistle. The practice started. Someone kicked the ball. Joseph got the ball, and passed it to someone else. The ball got passed back to him. He kicked and...... he scored! Joseph jumped up and down with excitement! The coach blew the whistle and ordered everyone to the benches. Joseph ran over to high-five his teammates, but everyone groaned and turned away.
Soon, Joseph's dad came over to him.
"I'm so sorry, Sport. And you tried really hard, too."
Joseph didn't know what his dad was talking about. Hadn't he seen him out on the field? He scored a goal! Wasn't Dad paying any attention?
"Daddy, what are you talking about? I scored a goal!"
"But, for the wrong team, buddy. I'm sorry," Dad walked away.
Joseph was very mixed up. He was sad and angry all at the same time. He really didn't understand. Joseph went home very upset.