Sports Day HONEST & CHEAT

“Peep!” the whistle went – and they were off! Peter was in the lead. He came to the first hurdle – and cleared it in a huge leap. Peter could feel his heart thumping. His mouth was dry. The next hurdle was coming up.

It was School Sports Day. Peter was running in the hurdles race. There was a cup for the winner. And Peter wanted that cup. It was School Sports Day. Peter was running in the hurdles race. There was a cup for the winner. And Peter wanted that cup.

Suddenly, Peter heard someone close behind him. Someone else was panting hard. Ben was catching him up!

The two boys ran on. They were well ahead of the others. Peter cleared the second hurdle, but he was slowing down. He turned his head – and there was Ben right alongside him.

Just then, Peter pretended to wobble. He stuck out his arm – and he banged into Ben. Peter saw Ben stumble and fall on the grass. But Peter carried on running. He could see the finishing line just ahead.

After the race, Peter flopped down on the grass. He watched Ben come in second. Ben was dirty from his fall. His socks had slipped down. And he was crying.

Peter felt frightened. He wondered if anyone had seen him bump into Ben. “Peter Brown!” went a loud voice. Peter jumped. His heart was beating fast again, as if he was still running.

“Peter Brown!” came the voice again. It was Mr. Evans, the headmaster, calling Peter to come and collect his prize. Peter went to the front and everyone clapped. Soon he was holding the cup in both hands.

Peter went to sit down. All the time, Ben was staring at him. Ben had black smears across his face, from the tears. “You cheat!” he whispered as Peter went past. Peter pretended not to hear.

At home, Peter went straight to his room. His big brother Tom was there, making a model plane. Peter threw the cup down on the bed.

“You won, then?” said Tom, looking at the cup. “Not really,” said Peter. “I cheated. I pushed Ben but nobody saw me. Have you ever cheated?” he asked his brother.

“Yes,” said Tom, “And I’ve had people cheat me out of things, too. It’s a horrible feeling.” “Shut up!” said Peter.

For a long time Peter sat and looked at the cup. He put it on his bookshelf. Then he took it down again. He knew he didn’t want it any more. He gave a big sigh. Tom looked up from his model. “Why don’t you give the cup to Ben tomorrow?” he suggested. “That’ what I’d do. It’s better to be second than to be a cheat.”

“I think you’re right,” said Peter at last.

The end

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