Ball Hog

There was once a yellow Moehog who loved to play soccer. His team, the Neopian Soccer Team, was one of the best around. They had practice three days a week and a game every weekend. The Moehog, who everyone called B.H., was the star player. He was fast, he could dribble, and he could kick the ball hard and very far! There was only one thing bad about his game--he was a ball hog. He never passed the ball or set his teammates up for goals. His teammates were always mad at him.

It was an afternoon game and the Neopian Soccer Team was ahead by two goals. B.H. wiped the dripping sweat from his brow and glared at the other team. It was the last quarter, but B.H. was still full of energy. He glanced at Jenny the Cybunny and Froglee the Kacheek. B.H. was center forward, Jenny was left forward and Froglee was right forward. The referee blew the whistle and

B.H. passed the ball to Froglee. Froglee dribbled around the other team, up to the goal, and shot. He missed, but B.H. got the ball back. He skillfully brought it close to the goal, shot, and scored! His teammates spent the rest of the game watching B. H. be a ball hog. In the end, it was six to zip. B.H. was gloating about how good he did, while the rest of the team plugged their ears. Even coach Gelert rolled his eyes. The rest of the team complained to their owners about B.H. "He is such a ball hog!" Jenny sighed to her owner. Froglee, who was walking home with them, nodded. "Yeah, he acts like he is the only player." Jenny's owner smiled sympathetically, "I'm sure he can't be that bad." Jenny laughed bitterly, "Oh, but he is! I wish he would just realize, WE are part of the team, too."

B.H. entered his house, and flopped onto the couch. His owner was not home (probably working on the shop). B.H. sighed, smiling at the thought of another victory. "What would the team do without me? They couldn't win a game without me--I'm the star!" he mumbled to himself, as his eyes drifted shut…

"B.H., you have to wake up! It's time for your big game!" B.H. blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Game, what game?" "Come on, you are going to be late!" B.H. sat up and saw his owner trying to get him going. He slid off the couch and trotted over to the door. "Finally, you sleepy head." His owner ushered him out the hall and into the garage. "Here is your blue bike. I'll get mine." B.H. climbed on his blue bike and began to ride towards the soccer field. Excitement was beginning to grow in B.H.'s stomach, as it always did before a game.

When B.H. got there he didn't see any other members of his team, except for coach Gelert. B. H. hurried over, "Where is everyone? I only see the other team." Coach Gelert looked a bit worried, "They all called in sick. But I thought you didn't need the rest of the team, B.H. Do you want me to forfeit the game?" B.H. looked across to the other team and said determinedly, "I can win this game easily. I don't need a team." Coach Gelert nodded and pushed B.H. out on to the field. The other team kicked off and B.H. stole it right away. Things were looking good until the other team surrounded him and took the ball. They took it down the field and gently knocked it into the goal. B.H. became very angry and looked more determined than ever. While the other team got back on their side, B.H. reviewed his strategy in his head. It was all up to him, him alone. There was no team, just him.

The whistle blew and B.H. tapped the ball over centerline. A Techo ran up, took the ball, and raced past B.H. B. H. chased after the Techo, but it was to fast. It was another goal. Needless to say, the rest of the game went like that. B.H. didn't score a single goal! At the end of the game, B.H. sat down on the middle of the field. The other team was celebrating their victory and B.H. was mourning over his loss. "I guess I can't do it by myself. I really do need the rest of the team," he muttered. He sighed and stood, "I guess I've been a real jerk. I will apologise to my teammates." Coach Gelert walked over and patted B. H.'s back. "I see you have learned a lesson, B.H." The Moehog nodded, and then everything went black.

"Hey, what's happening!" he yelled. B.H. sat up and jumped straight into his owner's arms. "B.H., that must have been quite a dream! You were yelling and sweating." B.H. nodded, "I'm glad it was only a dream."

The game was tied with only a few minutes left. B.H. gulped and looked at Jenny. Jenny nodded, then looked at Froglee. The Neopian Soccer Team had been amazed at B.H.'s transformation into a team player. During the whole game B.H. passed the ball, encouraged others, and never acted like a ball hog. The whistle blew and Froglee got the ball. He passed it to B.H., who dribbled straight up the field. Everything seemed like it was in slow motion. The other team blocked Jenny's shot. Froglee was trying to get in scoring position and two players were rushing towards B.H.

B.H. could have scored the goal, but it would have been very risky and might have cost his team the game. He looked across to Froglee, who was wide open. He passed the ball straight to him. Froglee was shocked as the ball landed right at his feet. He set up, aimed, and shot the ball. It was a goal! The Neopian Soccer Team had won! Froglee was jumping and yelling, as was the rest of the team. Coach Gelert patted B.H. on the back and said, "Now, B.H., you are a true winner."