All players hugged Theo and lifted him up. His name was shouted by all supporters in the Stadium. Because of his goal, Arsenal U-15 could beat Chelsea U-15 1-0. Theo as the captain, lifted the trophy up happily and proudly. Besides that, he got an individual award as The man of the match. What a wonderful moment that wouldn’t be forgotten by Theo. A reporter came to him and gave a question for Theo, “Whom will you be grateful for all this achievement?”
“My late mother, Anna Collin and My lovely Father, William Collin. Without their prayers and supports, I wouldn’t be like this. Thanks Pa, this trophy is for you.”
17 years ago, at a little town near London, There lived a young boy named Theo Collin. He had white skin and short black hair. His nose was sharp and his eyes’ color was blue. Her mother died when his age was a week. His father worked in ball factory. Since he was born, his body was very weak. He couldn’t do many activities like the other kids did. His activities were sleeping and drawing anything near his house only.
One day, Theo who was 8 years old, brought his drawing book and a pencil to a Lake. He drew a Lotus on it. When he was drawing seriously at one of lake side, he heard crowded voice from the field. Theo wondered what was happening there. And then he saw some kids were playing football there. Theo was amazed with what he saw. A kid was dribbling a ball and then he shot it to a goal beautifully. He ran to his house. At house, he tore all papers from his drawing books. He made a ball from all that papers and wrapped it with plastic. And then he took two empty canes. He put them at the same line and the distance between them was 3 meters. Now, He was ready to play football. He put the handmade ball 5 meters in front of the goal. And then he kicked it. The ball flew into the goal. Theo was running to celebrate his goal like the real football players. His dad who saw his son’s doing felt so affected.
On the next day, when Theo was having breakfast, Mr. Collin made a surprise. He gave his son a ball that he took it from the factory where he worked. Theo felt very happy. He hugged his dad. And then, he ran out and dribbled it happily. After that day, Theo always brought his ball everywhere he wanted to. Even he slept with the ball beside him. Mr. Collin admitted his son was talented in football. So he spent his saving to pay Theo’s football school in London.
Theo practiced three times a week. He was never absent except when he was sick. But when Theo was 11 years old, his father had no money to pay the bus fare to London. So, he stopped practicing in the club. But Theo promised himself, he would get much money to buy bicycle. So his father needn’t to pay the bus fare. To get much money, he was selling newspaper and bathed horses. But he never forgot to keep playing football. After working hard, the money had been collected. He bought a bicycle. The bicycle was not brand new. It was just a secondhand bicycle. On the next day, he started to join in Football School again.
Mr. Anderson, Theo’s coach, admired Theo’s skill and Theo’s effort to be a professional player. Although he never practiced in Football School, Theo’s game was not worse than others. So Mr. Anderson registered Theo at Arsenal U-15 Selection. After two weeks selection, Theo passed the Arsenal U-15 Selection. He rode his secondhand bicycle fast. He hugged his father as he broke into tears of happiness. His father was so proud of his son. Being an Arsenal’s player was Mr. Collin’s dream and his son could make it come true.
Theo and his father went to Mrs. Collin grave. The grave was very clean, Mrs. Collin’s photo was mounted on her gravestone. Theo put his medallion on the grave.
“Ma, this is for you. Thanks for your struggle for my birth into this world. I miss you Ma.” Theo kissed his mother’s gravestone. Then, he stood up and hugged his father. They left the graveyard and went home with happy face.
