The Trophy by Blair Watts

Story 2

The Trophy by Blair Watts

26

Glossary

boring: (adj.) not interesting or exciting.

interesting: (adj.) holding one's attention.

Jane and Billy ran into the kitchen for breakfast. ‘Mom! Can we have pancakes?’ asked Billy. ‘ Shh. I’m listening to the news’, said his mother, putting her finger to her lips. The children knew that news is a report about things that happened recently. They thought that sometimes news were boring but other times they were interesting. How do you feel about news?

‘ ...according to Dan Bull, Chief of Mayfield County police. The Blue Eagles, our local football team, won this year’s championship in an exciting final game on Saturday. After receiving the trophy from Mayor Cynthia Williams, they were celebrating with friends and family at the Club House. Team Captain Dennis Fulham explained that they noticed the trophy was missing when they were packing up to go home. Joining us this morning is John Smith. John, what is your opinion on this matter?’ Glossary

matter: (n.) the subject or situation that is being considered.

Glossary

football - mad: (adj.) football fan

Mom turned off the radio. ‘Well, what do you think about that?’ she said. ‘I don’t understand. Why is that news?’ asked Jane ‘Because someone stole the football trophy!’ explained Mom Billy looked shocked. He was football-mad and followed all the games. ‘I can’t believe it! Who would want to steal the trophy? Why were they going to interview a man? Is he important?’ ‘They wanted to hear his opinion about the robbery’ said Mom. ‘I don't know who he is, sometimes they interview people on the radio.’

‘Do you have to be important to give your opinion about the news?’ Jane asked. ‘Well, not really. Anyone can share their opinion, but I guess you have to know something extra about what happened to be interviewed on the radio,’ said Mom. ‘Well,’ said Billy, ‘in my opinion, someone has to do something to find that trophy. It is not fair that it was stolen. What do you think? Do you think they will say something else on the news?’ ‘Let’s go and see Simon’, said Jane. ‘His brother’s on the football team. We can find out more about what happened.’ Glossary

fair: (adj.) when something is fair, it is right or reasonable.

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They found Simon in the park. ‘Did you hear the news?’ he asked.

‘Yes. We heard it on the radio this morning. What happened?’

‘Nobody knows much.’ said Simon. ‘One moment the trophy was there, and the next it wasn’t, but everyone is very upset. The trophy’s really quite big. I can’t understand how someone took it without the others seeing. How do you think they did it?’ Glossary upset: (adj.) worried, unhappy or angry.

That evening Billy, Jane and their parents watched the local news on television. ‘Police Chief Dan Bull told reporters this afternoon that they were continuing with their inquiries about the theft of the trophy. He said a witness had come forward and that the police were now looking for a tall man, about twenty years old, with short brown hair, and wearing a blue jacket with a red hood. We want to hear the public's opinion about this new information.’

Glossary

inquiries: (pl.n.) the act of asking for information. theft: (n.) the act of taking something that belongs to someone else and keeping it; stealing.

Glossary

moored: (pl.v.) to attach a boat or ship to something on land The next day the kids were out or to the surface under the water to on their bicycles again. They had keep it in place. fit: (v.) to match. stopped for a short rest when they noticed a man coming out of one of the house boats moored on the river. ‘Look, Billy, said Jane. ‘Look at that man. He fits the description on the news.’ Billy looked. His sister was right. He did fit the description. But more interestingly, he was carrying something large and heavy in a plastic bag.

‘He’s coming this way. Quick, hide!’ said Billy, crouching down behind the bushes. The man looked up and down the river bank and then, believing he was alone, he tied a cord around the roots of a tree growing right by the edge of the river. He tied the other end of the cord around the plastic bag and lowered it into the water. Then, looking around again, he walked off in the direction of town.

Glossary

roots: (pl.n.) the part of a plant which grows down into the earth. crouching: (v. gerund) to lie close to the ground with the legs bent.

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‘What do you suppose that is?’ whispered Jane. Billy and Jane waited until the man had gone and then they pulled the plastic bag out of the water. ‘Open it, Billy,’ said Jane. They both looked inside. The trophy, of course! Leaving their bicycles in their excitement, they rushed back home, where Dad called the police.

Glossary

submerged: (past tense v.) to go below the surface of an area of water.

The next morning the news was on radio and television.

‘The silver football trophy that went missing last Sunday has been found. The trophy, calculated to be worth over 800 dollars, was recovered yesterday thanks to Billy and Jane Hillman, who found it submerged in White Creek River. The police have arrested a local man for the theft.’

‘Dennis Fulham, the team captain, said that they were very happy to have their trophy back. To thank the children, they presented them with tickets for all of next season’s matches, and football shirts for the whole family. What do you think about this turn of events?’ Billy and Jane thought it was wonderful news!

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