August 24, 2006 Issue                                       

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Kids Section

The Champ
By Seamus Gleason, age 8
Green Woods Charter School

Adriano was a simple child. He had a simple life...for now. If there was one thing he liked most it was soccer. Some day he wanted to be a soccer player for Brazil because he lived in Brazil. He loved the way they played, how they played rough, and how they set up goals.

He had two pets, a poison dart frog and a dog, a Cocker Spaniel. Their names were Dart and Howl.

He saw a man that was telling people to sign up for tryouts for right wing on Brazil’s soccer team. That was it. He could actually have the chance to be on the Brazil Soccer Team! The man said: “Only one more entry. Sign up now!”

Adriano said, “Ma, can I?”

“Yes, Adriano,” his mother said. “But you first need to practice.”

“Aw,” said Adriano.

“Adriano, I know you can do it, but you just need to get a little better.”

“Okay,” said Adriano, “I’ll practice.”

When Adriano was done practice he signed up for a tryout. Once he got to the last round with one other person, he won in scoring goals. He became right wing!

When Adriano was 24, Brazil got to the championship in the World Cup against Italy. It was tied in OT. Italy had the ball. They took a shot but Brazil’s goalie blocked it. He threw it in. It landed in front of Adriano. He took a shot...he scored but there was still time left. Italy had the ball again. They shot into the corner and Brazil’s goalie blocked it. Brazil had won!

Adriano lifted the Cup. Dart jumped on Howl’s back and they did a victory lap.