Know how to lose.
Lesik slammed the door. So loudly that the glass in the hallway rattled.
“Lesik? What happened?” Mom looked out of the kitchen, but the boy had already disappeared behind the door of his room.
He threw himself on the bed, buried his face in the pillow, and cried. Not loudly, but quietly, really, when he no longer had the strength to scream. Because he had lost. Not once. But five times in a row. At table tennis. To Andriy from the third entrance.
Andriyko was a whole year younger than Lesyk. And Lesyk was older. And still — 5:0. How does this happen?
«"I'll never go out on the playground again," Lesyk thought. "Let Andriyko play with himself. And I... and I'll just... forget.".
Rustle.
Lesik raised his head. On his desk, next to the table lamp, sat… a squirrel? A small red squirrel with a fluffy tail, wearing a pastel pink scarf. She was holding an acorn in her paws and looking at the boy with big, inquisitive eyes.
"Oh," was all Lesyk said.
"Hello, Lesika," the squirrel squeaked. "I'm Solomiyka. I heard you crying. Are you okay?"
"I... I lost. Five times. How can I have 'everything is fine'?"
Solomiyka settled closer, on the edge of the pillow, and carefully placed her little paw on Lesik's hand.
"Oh, oh... Five times is a lot. I would be upset too.".
“So what?” Lesyk grumbled.
"That's because I understand you. Seriously. Losing hurts.".
At that moment, something moved on the windowsill. Lesik turned and saw an owl. A large, warm owl with light brown feathers, a cream chest, and small round glasses on its beak.
“This is Sofiyka,” Solomiyka introduced. “She comes when we need to think about something important.”.
"Good afternoon, Lesyk," Sofiyka said gently and flew back into the chair. "Tell me how it happened.".
Lesik sat on the bed, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and began to tell the story. About how Andriyko came out onto the court with a new racket, how he himself didn't serve very well, how after the third loss he started to get angry, and after the fifth he simply threw the racket and went home without even saying goodbye.
Sofiyka listened attentively, without interrupting. Solomiya quietly clicked her tongue with each remark: "Oh...", "Yes-a-ah...", "Poor guy...".
When Lesik finished, Sofiyka was silent for a while, and then said:
"Lesyk, I want to tell you something. Do you want to listen?"
The boy nodded. He suddenly felt a little better, just from the fact that someone had listened to him.
🦉 Lesson from Sofiyka
1. Congratulate the winner
When you lose, don't insult your opponent or get angry. Go up to them, say "well done," and shake their hand. This will earn you respect — both in the eyes of your opponent and in the eyes of others.
2. Don't underestimate anyone.
Every opponent wants to win too. Assess your strengths correctly, both your own and those of others. The one you thought was weaker may well turn out to be stronger.
3. Emotions are normal
It's normal to feel sad after a loss. But it's better without loud screams and tantrums. You can cry, you can sit quietly. You can tell someone close to you. Just don't take it out on others.
4. Don't give up
It's okay to be sad. It's not okay to give up and give up forever. After a defeat, you have to get back together and try again. If not today, then tomorrow.
5. Take an example from those who have succeeded.
Many great people didn't succeed on their first try. Edison tried six thousand times before he invented the light bulb. Imagine: six thousand! And he didn't give up.
“And who is Edison?” Solomiyka blurted out, because she no longer had the patience to remain silent.
“This is the man who invented the light bulb,” explained Sofiyka. “He had to try six thousand times to find the right material for the filament.”.
— Six thousand?! — Straw almost fell off the table. — I would have eaten all the acorns a long time ago and gone to bed.
Lesik smiled for the first time all day.
6. Losing is fuel
Defeat is not «I’m a loser.» It’s a signal: «I need to work harder.» Every negative can be turned into training — into the next victory.
7. Do it again and again
The most important thing is not to give up. Again and again. It's okay to cry a little. Just a little.
"You see," said Sofiyka. "Losing is not the end. It's just a stepping stone.".
"And I want to add," Solomiyka said quietly. "Tomorrow, when you go out to Andriyek again, tell him: 'Well done!' Honestly. And shake his hand. You'll see - it will become easier.".
“What if I lose again?” asked Lesyk.
Straw perched on his shoulder like a little furry friend:
"Then Sofiyka and I will come again. I promise.".
Sofiyka believes in you. And Solomiyka too. 🦉🐿️