Animal Soccer

Bonk, Uzzle, Lurk and Snag start a soccer team.

“I am very good at soccer, ” says Bonk.

“Everyone should watch me.”

Uzzle, Lurk and Snag watch Bonk.

Bonk kicks the ball hard.

He dribbles it across the field.

He kicks it into the goal.

“I will be the star player, okay? ” says Bonk.

“I don't even need a team, ” says Bonk.

Uzzle, Lurk and Snag frown.

They cross their arms.

“But we want to play, too, ” Lurk says.

“When I get tired, you can have the ball, ” says Bonk.

Bonk plays soccer by himself.

“Are you going to get tired soon? ” asks Uzzle.

“Not yet, ” says Bonk.

At home, Uzzle, Lurk and Snag practice soccer.

They pass the ball to each other.

They take turns being goalie.

They kick the ball into the goal.

They cheer.

Soon, it is the day of the big game.

The other team is bigger and faster.

Right away, Bonk has trouble.

He tries to dribble the ball.

The other team steals it.

Bonk gets the ball back and shoots it at the goal.

But their goalie catches it.

Then the other team scores a goal.

Then another. And another.

“Help! ” Bonk says.

Uzzle, Lurk and Snag sit.

“You said you didn't need a team, ”says Lurk.

“You said you were the star player, ”says Snag.

“I said all those things? ” asks Bonk.

The animals nod their heads.

“I was wrong, ” says Bonk. “I am sorry.”

Uzzle, Lurk and Snag jump up.

They pass the ball.

They dribble it down the field.

They shoot the ball into the goal.

All the animals play as a team.

When the game ends, Bonk says, “I won! ”

“What did you say? ” the other animals ask.

“I mean, our team won! ” says Bonk.

Then all the animals cheer.