Sherman and His Never Giving Up Days
In Louisville, Kentucky, an 8-year-old boy named Sherman faces his greatest challenge yet: making the school basketball team. Despite multiple setbacks and moments of doubt, Sherman's courage and determination will teach him the true meaning of never giving up.
On a warm Fall morning, Sherman woke up excited. Today was basketball tryouts at his school! He wanted to make the team as a third grader, just like his uncle years ago.
At breakfast, Sherman’s dad said, “Just do your best.” Sherman smiled, “I'll try hard and never give up!”
During lunch, Sherman's friends talked about the tryouts. Some of them were good at basketball. But Sherman believed that if he tried his best, he’d make the team.
Determined to get better, Sherman practiced every day after school. He dribbled, shot hoops, and even watched videos to learn new techniques. But one day, it started to rain heavily, making it impossible to practice outside. - What do I do now? Sherman wondered.
Sherman decided to practice in his room, but it was too small to move around freely. Frustrated, he accidentally knocked over a lamp. - Oh no! Mom's going to be so mad! he exclaimed. He picked up the pieces and felt like giving up. - Maybe I'm just not meant to be on the team, he thought.
The next day at school, Sherman's best friend, Mike, noticed his gloomy face. - What's up, Sherman? Mike asked. - I can't practice because of the rain and I broke a lamp at home, Sherman replied. - Don't worry, we can practice together in the school's gym, Mike suggested. Sherman felt a glimmer of hope.
Practicing with Mike was fun, but Sherman still struggled with his shots. He missed several times and felt disheartened. - Keep going, Sherman! You're getting better, Mike encouraged. Sherman nodded, but inside he felt like he would never improve. - Maybe this is too hard for me, he thought.
One evening, after another failed practice, Sherman sat on his bed, tears in his eyes. - I should just give up, he whispered to himself. His mom walked in and saw his tears. - What's wrong, honey? she asked gently. - I can't do it, Mom. It's too hard, Sherman replied, feeling defeated.
Sherman's mom sat beside him and held his hand. - Do you remember the story of the little engine that could? she asked. - Yes, Sherman replied. - The engine kept saying 'I think I can' and never gave up. You have that same courage inside you, his mom said. Sherman felt a spark of hope. - Maybe I can, he thought.
The next morning, Sherman woke up with renewed determination. He practiced harder than ever, focusing on every shot and dribble. Weeks went by, and his skills improved noticeably. When the next year's tryouts came, Sherman gave it his all. This time, he made the team!
On a warm Fall morning, Sherman woke up excited. Today was basketball tryouts at his school! He wanted to make the team as a third grader, just like his uncle years ago.
At breakfast, Sherman’s dad said, “Just do your best.” Sherman smiled, “I'll try hard and never give up!”
During lunch, Sherman's friends talked about the tryouts. Some of them were good at basketball. But Sherman believed that if he tried his best, he’d make the team.
Determined to get better, Sherman practiced every day after school. He dribbled, shot hoops, and even watched videos to learn new techniques. But one day, it started to rain heavily, making it impossible to practice outside. - What do I do now? Sherman wondered.
Sherman decided to practice in his room, but it was too small to move around freely. Frustrated, he accidentally knocked over a lamp. - Oh no! Mom's going to be so mad! he exclaimed. He picked up the pieces and felt like giving up. - Maybe I'm just not meant to be on the team, he thought.
The next day at school, Sherman's best friend, Mike, noticed his gloomy face. - What's up, Sherman? Mike asked. - I can't practice because of the rain and I broke a lamp at home, Sherman replied. - Don't worry, we can practice together in the school's gym, Mike suggested. Sherman felt a glimmer of hope.
Practicing with Mike was fun, but Sherman still struggled with his shots. He missed several times and felt disheartened. - Keep going, Sherman! You're getting better, Mike encouraged. Sherman nodded, but inside he felt like he would never improve. - Maybe this is too hard for me, he thought.
One evening, after another failed practice, Sherman sat on his bed, tears in his eyes. - I should just give up, he whispered to himself. His mom walked in and saw his tears. - What's wrong, honey? she asked gently. - I can't do it, Mom. It's too hard, Sherman replied, feeling defeated.
Sherman's mom sat beside him and held his hand. - Do you remember the story of the little engine that could? she asked. - Yes, Sherman replied. - The engine kept saying 'I think I can' and never gave up. You have that same courage inside you, his mom said. Sherman felt a spark of hope. - Maybe I can, he thought.
The next morning, Sherman woke up with renewed determination. He practiced harder than ever, focusing on every shot and dribble. Weeks went by, and his skills improved noticeably. When the next year's tryouts came, Sherman gave it his all. This time, he made the team!
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