The Big Game

A once dapper man. A friendly man. A loving man. Now becoming an old man, about 60-70. Wearing his red and white team colours with pride, and watching his granddaughter with even more pride. The old man seems well kept and looked after. His granddaughter, no older than 8 wears the same team colours.

"Granddad, why was everyone so happy if we lost?" she asks, with obviously no clear understanding yet of a football game.

"Well there was two teams, you see. We are on the Swans team because that is what we chose, and a lot of other people are on the Hawks team. The Hawks team won the game, so all the Hawks people are very happy", he says with a hint of resentment.

"But that isn't nice of them to be so happy when we are sad. Why don't they feel sorry for our team?" she asks him with a mild tone of despair.

"Well, sport can often be bad like that when lots of people love it. People get very excited about who wins", he answers. "All the Hawks people might be wondering why you are not happy for them because the won."

"But I am happy for them, but I really wanted my team to win because it is my team", she says sadly.

A lady sitting next to them in the same team colours chimes in and says positively "Never mind about losing. It is only a game after all, plus we will win lots more games next season!", in an attempt to lighten the little girls mood.

"I guess so. But I might not go to the other ones that they win at. Anyway, I am happy that the Hawks won, but I wish we all got to be as happy as they are", she says dismally. "It isn't fair!" she continues while crossing her arms.

"It isn't fair is it, love" says the granddad, "But unfortunately that's just the way it happens sometimes. We can't win every single game, or that wouldn't be fair on all the other teams, would it?", he continues.

"I guess so", says the little girl, leaning her head on her Granddad's arm.

"Don't worry about things like this, honey. You are too young to let it bother you, wait and until you have everything else in your life sorted out", he says to her wisely. "And by the time that happens, you'll realise how unimportant it truly is, anyway".

"Don't you think it's important, Granddad?", she asks.

"It's only a game sweet heart. I enjoy it and I find it exciting, but really it is just a game and it isn't very important unless you are the person playing it. People should not get wound up about things that are so trivial", he says.

"What does that mean?"

"Trivial? If something is trivial then it is not important, and not a serious thing to be concerned about", he answers her.

"But why do lots and lots and lots of people love it then if it isn't important?", she questions.

"Well, that's because they enjoy it. And it takes their minds away from other things that are more serious and important to worry about", he tells her.