Ephrem's Soccer Surprise

A book for Ephrem to help with his "tricky words".

Kate Triebe

A book by

Kate Triebe

ISBN:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book was designed for Ephrem, a second grader, to help him master his “Grade 2 Tricky Words “through the narrative of a story.

The tricky words are: : February, until, woman, different, caught, something, really, bought, alright, already, across, lose, build, tomorrow, through, surprise, minutes, remember, decided, together, though, around, favourite, interesting, women, believe, was, were, home, why, who, ask, animal, thought, always, their, mother, father, house, school, every, there, great, other, know, any, can't, could, should, would, after, saw, here, friend, where, family, people, what, because, work, said, they, brother, sister, about, cousin, only, where, these, another, were, many, don't, couldn't, shouldn't, wouldn't, laugh, before

Once upon a time in the middle of February, there was a boy named Ephrem who loved soccer dearly. It was his favourite thing to do! Every afternoon after school, he'd race home, grab his soccer ball, and head to the park. He lived with his sister Darcy, their big dog Lulu, and their parents in a cozy little house where laughter was always heard, and love was the foundation.

Ephrem and Lulu were an inseparable pair; the dog would watch as Ephrem practiced his kicks and tricks. Darcy, though more into books than balls, sometimes joined in to play goalkeeper, making their games even more interesting.

One afternoon, Ephrem's father decided to surprise him with tickets to watch a soccer match. The game wasn't until the next day, but the excitement in Ephrem's heart couldn't wait for tomorrow.

“Really? Are you serious?” Ephrem asked, his eyes wide with delight. “Yes,” his father laughed. “But remember, we're going there together as a family.” Darcy, hearing the news, was thrilled too, though she didn't know much about soccer. She thought it might be fun to see why Ephrem loved it so much.

That night, as the wind danced around their house, Ephrem could hardly sleep. He imagined the stadium, the players, and the roaring cheers of the people. He even dreamt that he was one of the players, scoring the winning goal.

The next day, the family bundled up and set out early. The drive across town was filled with songs and stories. Ephrem sat with Lulu’s head on his lap, looking through the window, picturing the day ahead.

When they got to the stadium, it was even more magnificent than Ephrem had imagined. The field was a vibrant green, and the stands were filled with fans. The game was intense, and Ephrem watched every move with keen eyes. Darcy, catching his enthusiasm, shouted, and cheered too, enjoying the spirit of the game.

Just before halftime, something caught Ephrem’s eye. One of the players was wearing a different kind of shoe. He leaned over to his mother and asked, "Why does that player have those shoes?"

His mother, who always found a way to weave interesting facts into any story, explained, "Those are special shoes built to help him run faster and not lose his grip. Different players need different gear depending on how they play."

Ephrem thought that was really cool. He wondered if he should ask for a pair like that. But then he remembered how much his current shoes meant to him; they were the first ones he bought with his own savings.

As the game ended, Ephrem’s team won, and the family headed home, talking excitedly about the match. Ephrem felt a new connection with his sister; they had shared something great together. Even Lulu seemed happier, wagging her tail as if she understood their joy.

That night, as Ephrem lay in bed, he realised that every day brought a new lesson, a new adventure. He thought about his future, about soccer, and about all the wonderful things he wanted to do. His father had smiled, knowing that whatever path Ephrem chose, he would always have the support of his family. And Ephrem, falling asleep under the glow of his nightlight, knew it too.

The excitement lingered in Ephrem's heart as he woke up the next morning. He was still buzzing from the game, but today was another day, filled with its own adventures. His cousin Leo was coming over, and that meant more soccer, more fun, and more family.

Leo was not only Ephrem's cousin but also his best friend and sometimes, a brother in arms on the soccer field. They would team up in their backyard, imagining they were competing in big tournaments. Ephrem had a single goal in mind: work on his dribbling skills today. He knew he couldn't do it alone, and with Leo's help, they could push each other to do better.

As they played, Ephrem’s mother called them in for lunch. "Don't forget to wash up before eating!" she reminded them, her voice carrying across the yard. Leo, who was always curious about Ephrem's family, asked, "How many games have you won with your sister as your goalie?"

Ephrem laughed, "Many! But don't let her modesty fool you; she's really good. She shouldn't be underestimated."

After lunch, as they were deciding whether to watch a movie or play more soccer, Darcy suggested, "Why don’t we do something different today? We could use another player, and I know just the person!" She wanted to invite another cousin who lived nearby, thinking the more, the merrier.

Ephrem thought for a moment. He loved soccer, but he also knew the importance of spending time with family doing various activities. "Alright," he said, "Let’s ask her over, but only if we play more soccer after the movie. These days are the best, and I wouldn’t want to spend them any other way."

As the day faded into evening, Ephrem's mother and aunt, both strong women with kind hearts, began to prepare dinner. Ephrem watched as they moved around the kitchen, a dance they had perfected over many shared meals. Their laughter filled the house, echoing the joy outside.

Meanwhile, Leo, Ephrem, and Darcy decided to build a small goalpost in the backyard. "This will make. our matches even more exciting!" Ephrem exclaimed, as they spent several minutes measuring and setting up the frame.

As they worked, Lulu, their faithful animal companion, ran circles around them, barking happily. She was always here, right in the middle of their fun, eager to be part of the action.

Just then, Darcy saw their aunt walking towards them with a tray of lemonade. "Here comes the best refreshment!" she announced, and the children cheered, grateful for the break. "This woman, our aunt, can always be counted on to know exactly what we need," Ephrem said to Leo, who nodded in agreement.

Their game resumed with the new goalpost, adding a fresh level of challenge and excitement. The children took turns trying to score, their efforts more enthusiastic with each attempt. As the sun set, casting long shadows across the yard, Ephrem's family gathered to watch the kids play. The women in the family, especially, were proud to see how well the children played together, supporting, and challenging each other.

After the game, as they all sat down for dinner, Ephrem’s mother said, "It’s moments like these that build a family. Remember, it’s not just about winning or scoring, but about how we support each other." Ephrem, full of happiness and tired from a day well spent, looked around at his family and felt a deep sense of contentment. Here, with these people, he was truly home.

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