The weather this afternoon was lovely—cool and pleasant with gentle sunlight. The fourth-grade students lined up amidst laughter, running downstairs with excitement for their PE class. The instructor was Long Yongzhi, a kind and caring teacher. The children were quite playful; during the descent, their orderly line gradually became a bit chaotic. Amidst the commotion, the teacher reorganized the group and began the lesson.
The teacher first had the students run a lap around the playground, followed by warm-up exercises. The children, full of excitement, eagerly asked what the lesson would be about. "This class is about basketball," the teacher replied. At this, some girls immediately cried out, "I don't know how to play basketball! I don't like basketball!" Only a few boys showed keen interest. The teacher patiently encouraged them, saying, "That's exactly why you should learn! You'll never know if you like it unless you try." Under his patient guidance, some girls expressed that although they were intimidated by the unfamiliar sport, they were willing to try. The students began learning from the basics—dribbling and ball handling. Although their movements were clumsy, the smiles on their faces showed they were truly enjoying themselves. During the practice, the teacher patiently corrected their form. After half a lesson, the children had gradually found their rhythm, dribbling with a poise that almost resembled seasoned players.
When faced with something new, children often have the desire to try but may lack the motivation. Therefore, we should offer them more encouragement; with support, they will find the courage to take that first step. Take the little girl named Xinyi, for example; before practicing, she was convinced she wouldn't be good at it and even tried to back away, fearing the game. But after bravely trying, she happily realized it wasn't scary at all—in fact, it was quite fun. As they grow, children will encounter many "basketballs" in life. Our role is to encourage them to step out of their comfort zones. Gradually, they will discover the joy and rewards of effort, gaining the courage to face new challenges. This spiritual wealth is an invaluable asset that will profoundly influence their future lives.
May they always have the courage to pursue what they want and grow up strong! Believe in yourselves—every step is a new world, and life will become more beautiful because of it. Keep going, children!
