Try This Move

Mr Walsh finally turned. Perhaps hearing the slightly desperate pleading in my voice. “I believe I said it can wait till tomorrow, Stephen?” He repeated. “Er ...” Ummm” Stephen stammered out. “He only has the ball for today, Mr Walsh.” I interjected quickly. Nodding keenly in the direction of Stephen and his ball. Mr Walsh paused and looked from Stephen to me. “What ball?” He asked. “This ball, signed by the All blacks, Mr Walsh”. Stephen loudly claimed. “And you only have it for today?” Mr Walsh asked. “Yes, Sir. My father said I could take it to school for show and tell. Then he’s coming by to pick it up before our morning break. Since I’m not allowed to play with it. He said it’s very special.” Stephen replied more confidently. “Very well then, Stephen. If you could bring your ball up to the front of the class and tell us about it?”. Stephen stood up beaming. He picked up the ball and walked towards the class, briefly looking in my direction. He suddenly ‘pulled a face’ at me as if to say “So, There!” Then he continued to the the front of the class. I didn’t get that. I had supported him in his bid to present the ball at show and tell, even got Mr Walsh’s attention in the matter. Secured a change of decision (Mr Walsh’s saying that was the end of show and tell after my piece) but I was the one who got the silly face thrown at him?’

Stephen reached the front of the class and, as mentioned, since he is a sizable lad, didn’t just get your attention, but tended to fill your field of vision, allowing you little opportunity to focus on anything else. He stooped his back to us. Then (dramatically, even for him), he turned in a swinging arc of some momentum and swung around to face us with the ball gripped firmly in his hands, in a well rehearsed move designed to further consolidate the attention he already had of his class mates (yes, in many ways, Stephen had mates the way I did not). He planted his foot with a slam. And definitely got everyone’s attention. The buildings floor shook for a moment. “This is the rugby ball used on Saturday’s game at Carrisbrook. In the test match that the All blacks won, and that the All blacks have all signed.” He paused for our awed responses and general adulation to not only the piece of leather he held, but to those small and scatter black squiggles scratched onto the leather.

Now, before I go on with the rest of this piece, there are two things you should know about in New Zealand. One, that the national sport (often referred to as the national religion by some) is considered to be Rugby Union. And two, the All Blacks is the name given to the National team, whomever they are at any time, are considered up there, if not as actual gods, then definitely in the realm of the demi-gods or at the very least, the Titans of power and respect. You don’t speak against them. You are supposed to stand below them in awe.

(Continued tomorrow)