There was this young boy who came regularly for soccer practice but never made it to the starting team. While he practiced, his father would sit at the far end of the field, waiting for him. The matches began but the boy didn't turn up for practice. He didn’t even show on the days of quarter finals and the semi finals. But he appeared for the final game, went to the coach and said,"Sir, you have always kept me in the reserves but never allowed me play in the games. Today please let me play." The coach said, "Son, I am sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals; the reputation of the school is at the stake and I cannot take a chance on you." The boy pleaded, "Sir, I promise, I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play." The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "Okay son, go and play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don't let me down."
The game started and the boy played like a horse of fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the star of the game. His team posted a spectacular win. When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "Son, how could I have been so wrong? I have never seen you playlike this before. What happened? How did you manage to play so well?" The boy replied, "Sir, my father is watching me today." The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. Nobody was there. He said, "Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today." The boy replied, "Sir, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today he is watching me from Heaven.”
By Kanika Goyal
