The weather was warm and the sad-faced team made their way to locker room. "We lost! I still don't believe it!" Sujay said. "I was expecting it," Viraj answered furiously. The Rainbow Riders had played one football match in the league. There were two more to go to the final.
The coach was waiting for them in the locker room. Neither Sujay nor Viraj had calmed down, and continued to find fault in the other. Viraj looked at the coach and said, "Sir, if the team listened to me, we would have won".
Viraj was not done complaining, "I asked Sujay to pass the ball to me but he didn't." Sujay couldn't remain quiet any longer, shouting "I have done my bit as a player. Talk about yourself Viraj, what you were doing?" After a few minues, they silently looked at their coach. Both were expecting to be scolded.
The coach calmly and quietly asked the team to sit. "Okay boys, forget what has happened and lets start fresh. I have something interesting for you." Although amazed by the coach's reaction, the still did not cheer up.
He stood up and held up a plain t-shirt, "Before our final match we have to design a team jersey. I want you all to do it together. The boys looked at each other. "Come on, lets get started. You need to come up with a design tomorrow." "Tomorrow?!" all shouted together.
The kids excitedly started discussing ideas. "Let's make it blue. Blue is a cool colour." Viraj declared bossily. "I think orange rocks. Bold and nice." Sujay exclaimed. Similarly, the rest stated their colour choice. But one had remained silent.
Guys why don't we take all the colours? suggested Amol after everyone had given their choice. Nobody had thought about it and agreed it was a good idea. They made a sample and were amazed at the outcome. "Let's show it to sir..." one of them suggested.
Together, they ran to the coach, holding their priced possession. They waited for his feedback. "Lovely, who did it?" coach asked. "We did it together, sir!" Viraj said, filled with team spirit. The coach added, "Now I am sure you will win the final match." Everyone was stunned, "How come sir?"
You tell me, how did you come up with such a brilliant idea? coach asked. "It was Amol's idea and we all agreed." Coach replied, "Exactly! Just as all the colours in jersey merged with each other, you too adjusted with each others view, leaving behind your grudges. So, teamwork led to a wonderful result."
"Yes sir!!" All boys answered confidently, "This will lead us to victory." All the boys thanked Amol, saying "we enjoyed designing this jersey. Let us play the next match like this - without disagreement. Cheers to our team!"
