Talbot Senior National School

This story is based on ideas from “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”. In that book anyone who finds a golden ticket in a Wonka chocolate bar can visit the fabulous and mysterious Wonka factory. Charlie is a good boy who gets a ticket. So do four others. On the crazy tour by the mad and seemingly mean Mr Wonka, each child is tempted to do something bad. In the end, only Charlie proves himself to be generous and loving. Only Charlie is invited to take over the factory!

Now, here’s my story…
Seán and the Soccer Factory

Anyone who scores a goal in the summer school league can visit the secret soccer factory in Poland, where they train the world’s top soccer players for free.

In the last minute of the last league game, Seán scores a goal. He gets to go. But when he arrives, with 99 other children, a mean and mad Mr Zelfish Zowhat tells them they have to learn how to cheat, how to lie to the referees, and how to hurt and injure other players.

The 99 other children agree to do it. They are taken away to the plush, fancy hotel where they are told they will be treated like rock stars. Seán, however, thinks this is bad. He politely tells Mr Zowhat he won’t do it. Mr Zowhat shouts at him that Seán is stupid and that he’s missing the chance of a lifetime. Zowhat says Seán will miss out on becoming a professional soccer player, becoming famous, and earning millions! Seán thinks about it.

He almost says “okay” but then he remembers what his mother told him all his life: “Treat other people like you would want to be treated.”

Hearing his mother’s soft, beautiful voice in his head, Seán says, “No, sorry, but no. I’m going home instead of learning how to be mean and nasty.”

Then Mr Zowhat takes off his mask. It is really Giovanni Trappatoni, manager of Ireland, who says, “Seán, I’m looking for new players. I want only good people, honest people, people I can trust, people who will do the right things. Will you play for Ireland?”

Seán thinks about it. He shouts, “yes!” Four years later, Seán scores the winning goal for Ireland in the 2016 European Championships.