The Present By Jessica C

Sizzle, sizzle! The spectacular sun scorches the grass under my feet. It goes crunch, crunch as I stand on it. It is hotter than I thought it would be. I go back inside and the air conditioner hits me in the face and cools me down as fast as an ice block. 

I walk into the kitchen and get a snack and drink. I go to watch TV. “Mum, can you help me turn the TV on please?’’ I yell because my arm is full with food and a glass of water. She comes in to the lounge room with a box. “What is that?’’ I ask. Mum ignores me and puts the box down next to me. I quickly put my food down and open the box. I’m so excited it’s a brand new basketball! Oh no! I remember that I can’t throw a ball anymore - I’m so angry that I kick the ball away. 

I’m so annoyed! Why would she give me a basketball? I never want to see a basketball again! The ball hits the wall and rolls back to my feet. At the same time my cousin walks into the loungeroom. She asks me to play with the basketball. I say “NO!”  The next day I calm down a little, though I still don’t like my present. But as the ball stares at me I can’t help thinking about how good it used to feel to play. 

The basketball ring catches my eye for the first time since the accident. A flashback takes over my thoughts. I want to try. I want to play basketball again. Feeling of happiness flow through my body. I pick up the ball in my only hand and walk slowly towards the ring. I take a shot and watch it hit the ring and bounce up and into the net. I make the basket! I almost feel like I have both of my arms again. 

From that day on I don’t stop practising. I practise before and after school, even at lunchtime. I finally join a basketball team, and I have never been happier. I will never again be the girl that watches the day go by from my bedroom window. 

Who would believe a basketball staring at me would change my life?