He was kicking the ball around in the park when it happened. It hit the tree and careered away sideways, jumping the flowerbeds and heading for the road. It didn’t stop. It was a good kick, probably his best ever. It rolled slowly out over the curb. He ran behind it, but stopped at the footpath. He watched it go. He stood teary-eyed as it came to rest.
What is it that a child thinks, when he sees his ball bounce out into the road? Does he remember the good advice that his parents gave about never running after it? How real are the warnings about being hit by a car?
He needed to get it back!
A month later, it was his tenth birthday.
He was there…