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Games People Play(Jacob Kurien, Aug 5th, 2007) |
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If you walked around the Indian School grounds it would come as a surprise if you didn't spot at least one sphere in motion that was the center of attention. The spheres came in different sizes and appearance. The smaller ones were usually green or white and had a felt touch. While the larger ones had different patterns - some just orange with stripes running from north to South, others with criss-crossed pentagonal patches sewn together at the borders, yet others with smooth even surfaces that had a variety of designs painted right onto it.
It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that the sphere in discussion is a ball - whether its manifestation be a tennis ball, basketball or a soccer ball. Somehow, its instinctive to feel great power and pride when you are in control of one. Perhaps, its because you've fought all your competition to attain it for a few seconds or minutes during a game before relinquishing possession to someone else.
One such vital game took place a long time ago. We knew that it was the last football game of the academic year...just because it was the concluding PT class before the final exams for VIth grade. The enthusiasm was at a feverish crescendo and a bunch of eager limbs were quivering with anticipation. The little, sandy playing field located at the end of the admin building and in front of the primary school entrance was the venue for this historic match.
The reason for it being billed that high on my list of famous events was not attributed to any amazing athletic skills demonstrated nor any fantastic moves performed. But that game was pivotal in teaching me one lesson - in life anything is possible. It reinforced my belief in the amazing perseverance of the human race and our connection to the divine.
Very early on in the game George Mathews scored the first goal for the opposing team. The feeling of being one down is dosed with desperation and frustration while the glorious intoxication of being ahead by a goal almost rivals the pleasure of basking on the white sands of a Hawaiian beach. The game wore on and on and it didn't seem like lady luck would ever glance with favour on my team. The more time ticked the harder we fought but without success - the score stayed where it was.
We were almost resigned to a defeat when at the last moment, a ray of opportunity shone through the otherwise bleak hopes we had. The winning team had temporarily dropped their guard and the ball found itself at Manish Megchiani's feet. Rising to the occasion, Manish kicked it with every ounce of strength he had left and the ball shot off like it had a rocket on it. The goalkeeper was caught off guard while we watched the ball travel past him before he had a chance to lunge and make a save. In the instant that the ball traversed behind him the school bell rang signaling the end of the game. The score was tied and our celebration ensued. All of us regardless of which team we belonged to enjoyed that game to the fullest. There were no losers...everyone was a victor.
After the match, I walked away awestruck and with stars in my eyes. Miracles still happen.
There were no championships at stake nor trophies being contested over. But what an eleven year old boy learnt that day remained with him ever since. It made him a believer and he returned home to recreate the event in the pages of a little red book (click to enlarge).
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