Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Cup of Life


Copyright -Mary Shipman
He felt butterflies in his stomach as the stacked houses of the old Favela came into view.  Eyes bored into his back as he walked through the gates. 
Memories from the past came up as he saw people congregate in the streets laughing and yelling.  The children were playing in the soccer field of dirt and stone where he learnt his skills. 
He turned into the narrow street and its stench of raw sewage and fried food.  The crumbling apartments block where his family stayed, housing rooms with broken walls and occasional rodents.   Soccer had liberated his family from penury.    
 
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Written for Friday Fictioneers. Word Count : 100  
I was going to take a break too, just like our fearless leader, but then this is Soccer World Cup time.  Which presents a perfect opportunity to pay a tribute to all those wonderful soccer stars who came from the Favelas 
And this is probably the best World Cup song of all time.


16 comments :

  1. Anonymous9:58 am

    Dear Subroto, Good story and I love the song - thanks! Here, in the United States, Soccer has taken over to a High Pitch! I'm really glad it is finally getting it's "due" in the U.S. Our football is a great game too, but the Soccer Football is so interesting, even though some of the fans seem a little over zealous - they are very passionate about their game! Thanks again! Nan :)

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting Nan. It's been a great world cup so far even though the difference in time zones means plenty of 'sleep sacrifice' on my part.

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  2. Anonymous9:30 pm

    Your story is such a moving and relevant one since we're seeing in Brazil how football has transformed many lives. We're pretty bleary eyed at our house, too. Australia is out at the end of this round but the world cup is too exciting to miss. Thanks for the great story, Subroto.

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    1. So true Karen thanks for your comments. Soccer's role in social transformation cannot be understated. It helped to knit Brazil together into one country and played a key role in incorporating people of African descent into the polity.
      I do plan to wake up early to watch the match on Monday too :-)

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  3. Great timing with the story. Well done.

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    1. Thanks Alicia glad you liked it.

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  4. Indeed the football have saved many from poverty.. love how you have incorporated smell into the story.. I always think when that is well done we can do something on that.

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    1. Thank you Björn the time was right for a soccer story :-) I am glad you liked it.

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  5. Subroto, Good story with great description. You placed me at the scene. Well written and timely. : ) ---Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan glad you liked it. My sleep timings are disrupted presently due to the world cup, so I thought I'd use the occasion for this post.

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  6. A well written story and that too when the soccer fever is raging.

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    1. I think I am down with that fever :-) Thanks for reading and commenting Kalpana.

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  7. A very timely post. For a lot of young men from poor countries professional sports in the only way up and out of poverty. I feel sorry for the ones left behind.

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    1. True for every star that succeeds there are hundreds left behind. Thanks for your comments Russell.

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  8. Dear Subroto,

    Catching up on a few before the next prompt is up in the morning. I'm glad I stopped by. Well timed and well written story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle. And I did get it in time, so no penalty kicks for me then :-)

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