King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan

Author:Paul Gilligan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

And then something even more amazing happened.

It was about a week later during the game against the Cross Creek Crickets’ archrivals, the Baron Hill Bandits. The score was tied and we were near the end of the “second half” (soccer term). I was working my shorts off avoiding the ball, as usual. But a soccer ball is like humor: it’s hard to predict where it’s going to go. And without me realizing it, the ball was suddenly right at my feet.

With opponents converging on me, I panicked and hoofed the ball randomly. And that’s when the amazing thing happened.

The ball was headed out of bounds. But then it curved around in a long, slow arc and headed toward the net. A couple of opposing players tried to intercept it, and the ball dodged and swerved around them, leaving them kicking air. It was like the ball was being guided along by the very ground beneath it. I must have accidentally put some crazy spin on that kick!

The opposing goalie rushed forward for the save, and the ball bounced up over his head and into the net.

GOAL!!!

My team went wild! They didn’t pick me up and carry me on their shoulders or anything like I’ve seen them do in movies, but they did gather around me and pat my back and say “crazy shot.” I was the hero of the game!

Afterward it started pouring rain again, and I overheard some people saying they couldn’t find some things, like umbrellas, and coolers, and the playground slide. But the way I was feeling, nothing was going to burst my bubble. Not even a drawing of a crown. It was half washed away by rain, so I decided to pretend I didn’t see it.

The three familiar voices coming from a storm drain were more difficult to ignore.

I peered into the drain at my Royal Guard, who looked like they were on just as much of a high as I was. I couldn’t guess why. It’s not like they’d just scored a winning goal.

“Did King see how we score winning goal?” yelled Oog. Dang it!

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