The Medal in the Wrong Race

Chapter 1Three Circles

At the school's supervised activity morning, boys could practice at several marked stations.

Rebbi stood beside the beanbag circles. Another teacher supervised a short running lane well away from the throwing space.

Moshe chose the beanbags.

His first three throws landed outside the smallest circle. The next landed inside.

He grinned and placed the next bag in his hand.

Across the yard, his friend Yisroel finished a running turn. The teacher called out a quick time and handed him a paper practice medal.

Moshe's grin disappeared.

Chapter 2Looking Across

Moshe watched Yisroel show the paper medal to a friend.

His own beanbag landed short.

"I'm nowhere near him," Moshe muttered.

Rebbi asked him to wait until the throwing area was clear before fetching the bags.

Moshe followed the instruction. When he came back, he looked again toward the running lane.

"He's winning everything."

"Which activity are you comparing?" Rebbi asked.

Moshe held up a beanbag but pointed toward Yisroel's medal.

Chapter 3Different Results

Rebbi explained that the paper medals marked separate practice challenges. Yisroel's was for the running lane, not for every activity in the yard.

"What were you trying to improve here?"

Moshe looked at the small circle.

"Getting the bag inside without throwing it past."

"Then a running time won't tell you that."

Moshe still admired Yisroel's speed. He also liked this station.

He asked to take the next allowed turn rather than leave a practice he had chosen.

Chapter 4Beside the Line

Rebbi helped him notice that his foot had moved behind the marked throwing line during the short throw.

Moshe returned to the correct place. He aimed at the middle instead of watching the running lane.

One bag landed inside. Another touched the outer edge. A third went too far.

Rebbi recorded the results honestly.

Moshe had not become perfect. He could see which throws he was practicing now.

He fetched the bags only when Rebbi said the space was clear.

Chapter 5Yisroel's Turn

Yisroel joined the beanbag queue after his running turn.

Moshe congratulated him on the quick time.

"Want to show me where to stand?" Yisroel asked when his beanbag turn came.

Moshe pointed to the marked line and let Rebbi give the station instructions.

Yisroel's first bag went well beyond the circle.

Moshe did not turn that throw into proof that he was better than Yisroel at everything. It was one throw in this activity.

He handed his friend the next bag when Rebbi directed him.

Chapter 6His Own Record

At the end of the station period, Moshe read his practice record.

There were misses and two more inside-circle throws than in his first set.

He had no running medal. He had spent his turns working on the thing he came to try.

Yisroel tucked his paper medal into his pocket.

"Will you do this station again next time?"

"Yes," Moshe said. "I want fewer throws past the circle."

They went together to the teacher waiting at the next supervised station.