November 6, 2010, Zack told me - that during his high school football game he was getting frustrated because he was never able to catch the football that the boosters threw into the stands to keep the fans entertained during lulls in the game. He’d wanted to catch that thing for some time now and even expressed his frustration to the friend sitting next to him “I never get the ball. I want to catch that thing so bad, but it never comes to me. If it just come a little closer I know I could get it.”
S.C.O.U.T. - Zack had barely finished his rant about missing out on the awesome experience of catching the ball, when moments later the football came drilling into the stands once again. This time the spinning oval projectile knew exactly where it was headed and made a bee line straight for Zack’s waiting arms! It was as if the ball, or someone, or something had heard his request and proceeded to fulfill his football catching fantasy.
Zack couldn’t have been more thrilled to be clutching the cold, bumpy red leather trophy until the students around him realized that the prize was within their reach as well. All they had to do was to dive on the owner, crush him to the ground, pound him in the back of the head and pry the ball from his unsuspecting grip, which is exactly what they did.
Zack lost the ball and a bit of his pride, but no one could take the thrill of the catch from him. He went home with a smile on his face, and a few bumps and bruises to help him remember the glory. He’s satisfied now, fantasy fulfilled, and has made it clear to “the powers that be” that once is enough, no more football glory required. Could it be that he’s learned the very important lesson of “be careful what you wish for!” The lumps on his noggin say “yes“!
P.S. “Prolate Spheroid” is the scientific name for any object that’s shaped like a football. See, you learn something new everyday!
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