Two brothers were renowned as the best players soccer players in the city.
They took their team all the way to the state championship in high school, but they lost in overtime.
The older brother sulked in sadness. He was very disappointed in the loss and hated himself for being a loser.
The younger brother was sad, too, but his heart was full of hope for the next season. He was determined to improve and make it back to the championship game.
Both brothers trained daily in the offseason, but the younger, cheerful brother worked harder. He was determined to win, while his older brother never forgave himself for losing.
The next year the season began and a few games into the season, the older brother broke his leg. Now his injury convinced him that the team could never win the championship.
The younger brother, though, never lost hope. He suffered through injuries too, but none as bad as his brothers.
Months later they were in the state championship game. In a last second shot, the younger brother scored the winning goal. They had won the championship!
The team cheered in victory, but the older brother stood on the sideline still sad for himself.
“A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
For more parables like this one, sign up for the weekly Formative Fiction Newsletter.
