I COULD DO

[Guest guest]

I COULD DO

Baba said, "Be wherever you like, do whatever you choose, remember this well

that all what you do is known to Me" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch. III.

A teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special

relationship. The father believed in encouragement. Even though the son was

always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never

missed a game.

This young man was the smallest of the class when he entered the high school.

His father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did

not have to play football if he didn’t want to.

But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined

to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he’d get to play when he become a

senior.

All through the high school he never missed a practice or a game, but remained a

bench warmer all the four years. His faithful father was always in the stands,

always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college,

he decided to try out for the football team as a "Walk-on."

Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted

that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to

every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with spirit

and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled

him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father.

His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college

games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years

at college, but he never got to play in the game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the

practice field shortly before the big play off game, the couch met him with a

telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent.

Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it

all right if I miss the practice today?"

The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the

week off, son. And don’t even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well.

In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man

slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto

the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful

team-mate back so soon.

"Coach, please let me play. I’ve just got to play today," said the young man.

The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player

in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling

sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right, " he said, "You can go in."

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stand could not believe

their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before, was doing

everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed,

blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph.

The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid

intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans

broke loose. His team-mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering

you’ve never heard!

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the

locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the

corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can’t believe it. You

were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"

He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad

died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and

forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he

could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do."

(East and West Series)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Count your blessings – and you will lack nothing.