The Ball - a Hero's Journey Tale

Hero's Journey tale: The Ball

© 2001 re-told by and reformatted by Debbie Dunn; Original author Terry Gardner.

As a clinical social worker, Terry Gardner kindly created these stories for Debbie Dunn's Communication Skills class at CMS.

This is a Terry Gardner Jack Tale shared in his memory and with permission of his widow, Lin Gardner.

Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the importance of the Character Education traits of Self Control, Valuing & Respecting Self, Valuing & Respecting Others, and Tolerance & Allowing . In the set of follow-up discussion questions, your students will also learn key features of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey process.

This is the first story of seven about a 6th-grade boy named Jack. Jack tries out for the football team even though he is tall and gangly and wears glasses. The older boys pick on him unmercifully. Many of the kids at the school make fun of him. Then Jack discovers basketball. Read how he experiences great success when he turns to a sport he truly loves.

I. Read Hero's Journey story about Jack called "The Ball"

A. Teacher reads story to the class called "The Ball ."

B. Story Description: Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the importance of the Character Education traits of Self Control, Valuing & Respecting Self, Valuing & Respecting Others, and Tolerance & Allowing . In the set of follow-up discussion questions, your students will also learn key features of Joseph Campbell's hero's journey process.

This is the first story of seven about a 6th-grade boy named Jack. Jack tries out for the football team even though he is tall and gangly and wears glasses. The older boys pick on him unmercifully. Many of the kids at the school make fun of him. Then Jack discovers basketball. Read how he experiences great success when he turns to a sport he truly loves.

Hero's Journey tale: The Ball

© 2001 re-told by and reformatted by Debbie Dunn; Original author Terry Gardner.

Chapter 1: Sixth-grade Jack tries out for the football team

Jack, a 6th grader, is new to his middle school. Jack is very tall and thin for his age. Jack goes to a middle school where football is THE SPORT. The football players are usually very popular with the other students and teachers as well.

Jack played some football in both fourth and fifth grades, so he decides to try out for the team. Jack wears glasses which is difficult for him as a football player.

Jack walks into the coach's office and said, "Hi, Coach. My name is Jack, and I'd like to play for our school football team."

Coach Anderson said, "Hi Jack! I'm glad to meet you. Did you ever play football before?"

Jack said, "Yes, Coach. I played linebacker and end for a PeeWee team the past two years."

Coach Anderson said, "Humm!. Well, we'll see what you can do for the team here."

Jack said, "Okay, Coach!"

The other boys and Jack practice very hard. They are watched closely by the coach and his assistants.

The team members hit physically hard, and Jack is beginning to have some doubts about his place on the team. The 7th- and 8th-grade boys especially pick out Jack to tackle hard whenever they have the least chance.

One day, Jack went to the coach's office and said, "Aw, Coach! I'm not sure about the team. I'm trying hard, but the other guys keep trying to get at me even when I don't have the ball."

Coach Anderson said, "Well, Jack, play a bit longer, and we'll see what is going on."

Jack nodded and said, "Okay, Coach!"

The team practices a few more days, and then Coach announces the team members. So many boys tried out for the team that not all the boys could possibly make the team. Jack learns that he is playing on the third team, the replacements for the replacements for the first team.

Jack is VERY disappointed but accepts his place and shows up for every practice and game; however, the other players, cheerleaders and students make a lot of fun of him.

Bobby said, "Hey, look at flagpole over there. I'm glad that he'll never play this year. After all, he's only in 6th grade. He's so clumsy and uncoordinated compared to us 8th graders. Besides, he wears those glasses that look so wussy and wimpy. You know, Ann, he is the school nerd in a football uniform."

Ann giggles and says, "Bobby, you're so funny! Jack is a real nerd. I don't know ANY girl who really likes him. He is so tall that he makes me feel so tiny."

Sam said, "I hear that he's a real book nerd too. That guy actually likes to read, study, learn, and even take tests!"

Bobby said, "Yeah, that guy lives in Weirdsville!"

Bobby, Ann, and Sam laugh. In the meantime, Jack thinks, "Gosh, the other guys just ignore me. The girls even laugh at me. Maybe I shouldn't even show up for the team anymore. I know! Maybe I could go talk with Coach Anderson."

Jack goes to Coach Anderson's office. He asks, "Coach Anderson, could I talk with you? I'm still not sure about this football team."

Coach Anderson said, "Sure, Jack. What's on your mind?"

Jack said, "Coach, I don't get to play in the games and the other guys and girls laugh at me. Maybe, football is not for me at all."

Coach Anderson said, "Jack you have a lot of courage coming out for football as a 6th grader. The other guys are better than you because they have a lot more experience as 7th and 8th graders. You are also much taller than the other guys. A lot of them envy you and wished they were tall too. I put you on the team because you have some talent and a lot of heart. Do you understand what I mean by heart?"

Jack said, "Well, I guess so. Does that mean that I try REALLY hard no matter what?"

Coach Anderson said, "That's right! You know, Jack that I like having you on the football team. However, which sport REALLY grabs you?"

Jack's jaw drops open and his eyes light up with excitement. His entire face glows as he answers Coach Anderson almost before Coach even finishes his sentence. Jack exclaimed, "BASKETBALL! That's the one for me!"

Coach Anderson said, "Well, Jack we have a basketball team here as well."

Jack said, "Coach, I hear a lot about it like that it's NO GOOD and all the students laugh at the players."

Coach Anderson said, "Jack, I heard the guys saying you are wimpy and wussy because you wear glasses in football practices. Are they right?"

Jack's eyes flash as he speaks respectfully but firmly to Coach Anderson, "NO WAY!!!!!"

Coach Anderson said, "Well, Jack, are you going to believe the other guys' opinions about the basketball team if you don't believe them about yourself?"

Jack said, "Humm! Thanks a lot, Coach. I choose what to believe about myself."

Coach Anderson said, "Right, Jack. Now, what are you going to do?"

Jack said, "I'm going to try out for the basketball team!!!"

Chapter 2: Jack experiences success with basketball

Jack continues to show up for the football practices but realizes that he won't play in a game that year. Jack accepts that.

Jack then goes to the basketball team try-outs and immediately makes the first team. Jack makes first team center because he is VERY GOOD and also so few boys try out for the team. Jack talks with Coach Brown about the team.

Coach Brown said, "Hi, Jack! I'm glad that you tried out for the team. Coach Anderson told me about you. I know that you will make THE DIFFERENCE for our team this year."

Jack said, "Thanks, Coach Brown! I love playing basketball. Swish, whoosh! I see and feel the balls skimming through the net in my sleep."

Coach Brown said, "Jack, I hope you keep your enthusiasm and belief in yourself! With that kind of attitude and dedication, you can inspire an entire team to great things."

Jack said, "Coach, I play my heart. I play my best. I play my love for basketball."

Jack and the other boys practice even harder than the football team. Jack, a 6th grader, makes the position of center and captain of the school basketball team.

The other students laugh a little but begin to wonder about Jack. They even begin to come to the school basketball games to see him. Practically no one came before this basketball season.

One day, Bobby said, "You know, there's something different about the flagpole. He walks differently than during football season."

Ann said, "Yeah! He's got a different look to him. He kinda looks cute with those glasses or ... without those glasses."

Ann's words made Bobby feel a little angry and jealous. He asks, "What do you mean? Do you really like that nerd, wussy, wimpy flagpole?"

Ann said, "I'll like ANYONE I want to like, Mr. Bobby. Maybe I do like him a little. Maybe a lot more if you keep talking that way."

Meanwhile, in the locker room, Coach Brown said, "Now, listen up, all you guys. You're playing as a team now. Five bodies and ONE MIND on the court. GREAT JOB! We have a perfect 10 game win record and people are noticing YOU - all of you."

Jack said, "Coach Brown, thanks for that! We just have a lot of fun together out there. Swish, whoosh!!!! Right guys?"

All the other basketball players answer in unison, "RIGHT!!!"

Jack goes to Coach Brown's office after practice. He asked, "Coach Brown, could I talk with you?"

Coach Brown said, "Sure Jack! What's on your mind?"

Jack said, "Coach, basketball means so much to me. I know that I'm only a 6th grader but you put me on the first team."

Coach Brown said, "Jack, what grade you're in means nothing to me. You earned the spot with your attitude and your love for basketball. Your attitude and enthusiasm earned you the team spot and captaincy."

Jack said, "You know, Coach, the other guys don't laugh at me anymore. Even the 8th-grade football players want me to have lunch with them. I also wear my glasses during basketball games as well as practices. They sure help a lot!"

Coach Brown laughed and said, "Jack, you're being yourself. You're doing a sport that you love. You wear your glasses with pride like you are not even aware of them, therefore, others won't be aware of them either. How is your school work going for you?"

Jack said, "I'm doing great. It took a week or two, but I got the hang of changing classes and using my time well."

Coach Brown said, "GREAT! I wanted to hear from you because I already know from your teachers. I keep in close touch with all the teachers of my team because basketball is after your schoolwork, even if you don't think so."

Jack makes a grimace face but says, "I know, I know! Uh, ..., Coach, the cheerleaders are a lot of fun."

Coach Brown said, "Humm! Are you trying to tell me that ONE cheerleader is special to you?"

Jack said, "Well, I guess so. I kinda like Ann. But she is a 7th grader."

Coach Brown said, "Did you even really stop to watch her during our games, Jack?"

Jack said, "Well, no! I figured that she liked Bobby - the football player."

Coach Brown said, "Guess again, my friend. I notice that she keeps looking at you but in a way so the other students won't see her."

Jack said, "REALLY? You mean that she might like me???"

Coach Brown said, "Jack, what brought you to basketball: Fear, uncertainties, doubts?? NO! You trusted yourself and did your best. Trust yourself and say hi to her."

Jack said, "Coach, thanks a lot! I wondered about that, but I was afraid to trust myself."

Jack follows his feelings about Ann and continues to play superb basketball with his teammates.

The middle school team wins the city, district and regional basketball championships.

The team is moving into the final 2 games of the state basketball championship when Jack again talks with Coach Brown.

Coach Brown said, "Jack, we're having the best basketball year in 10 years. ALL the students are showing up for our games, and the cheering practically lifts the ceiling. How are you doing?"

Jack said, "Coach, I just float along, swish and whoosh! I talked with Ann and she would like to go to the Christmas Dance with me. ME! I can hardly believe that a 7th-grade girl would go out with me."

Coach Brown said, "Jack, you believe in yourself! You know what you love to do! You have the courage to do it now no matter what! You accept your glasses and yourself, and you inspire others by believing in yourself and acting on that. What grade you are in does not matter. Being a sixth grader does not limit you. You see the results of your choices."

Jack said, "I guess you're right. Thanks, Coach Brown! I'll see you later."

Click "Hero's Journey Lesson Plan #1 of 7: Jack and the Ball" to read the discussion questions that accompany this story. (coming soon)