There was a young boy who used to come for soccer practice, but never made it on the team. While he was practicing, his father used to sit at the far end of the field, waiting. At the end of the year the tournaments started, but for days the boy didn’t show up, not even for the quarter or semifinals.
The team made it to the finals, and the coach was shocked when the boy suddenly showed up, and said, “Coach, you always kept me in the reserves and never let me play. But today, please, put me in.”
The coach said, “Son, I’m sorry, I can’t. There are better players than you, and it’s the finals. The reputation of the school is at stake.”
The boy pleaded, “Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please, please let me play.”
The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, “OK, son. You’re in. But remember, I am going against my better judgment. Don’t let me down.”
The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the best player and the star of the game. He led the team to a spectacular win.
When the game was over, the coach went up to the boy and said, “Son, I have never been so wrong in my life. I had no idea you could play like that. What happened?”
The boy replied, “My Dad was watching me today.”
The coach turned and looked at the place where the boy’s father sat. There was no one there. He said, “Son, I don’t see him there today.”
The boy replied, “No Sir. My father was blind. Four days ago, he died. Today was the first time he could see me play.”
