Bobby Hanson stirred as the alarm clock went off.

He rolled over, put the pillow over his head, and tried to go back to sleep. He didnt feel like getting up yet. But in an instant Bobby remembered that today was going to be a special daya different day, something hed long been waiting for! He leapt to his feet and put on his track clothes. Down the hall in the bathroom, he washed his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair, thinking about the exciting event that was about to take place. Did you sleep well, Bobby? his mom asked. Boy, did I! Bobby replied, as he gobbled down the eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes that his mother had cooked for him.

Bobby Hanson remexeu-se na cama quando o despertador tocou. Virou para o outro lado, colocou o travesseiro em cima da cabea e tentou voltar a dormir. No queria levantar-se ainda. Mas a certa altura lembrou que aquele era um dia especial, um dia diferente, em que aconteceria algo que h muito esperava! Pulou da cama e vestiu a roupa de correr. Dirigiu-se ao banheiro no fundo do corredor e lavou o rosto, escovou os dentes e penteou o cabelo, enquanto pensava no emocionante evento que estava prestes a acontecer. Dormiu bem? perguntou a me. Maravilhosamente bem! respondeu Bobby, enquanto devorava os ovos, bacon e batatas fritas que a me havia preparado para ele.

Bobby, when youre done, and your bag is packed, your dad would like to talk to you. Hes outside checking the car. Hes hoping to catch a few minutes with you before we all head off. Okay, Mom! Thanks for breakfast it was great. Bobby got his gear and then went outside where his dad was cleaning the trunk. Good morning, Dad! Hi, Bobby! Todays the big day! Dad said, as he stopped what he was doing, and put his arm around his son. Youve worked hard. Youve done everything you could, and I imagine youre kind of nervous.

Bobby, quando tiver terminado e sua bolsa estiver preparada, seu pai gostaria de falar com voc. Ele est l fora checando o carro. Ele gostaria muito de ter alguns minutos com voc antes de todos sairmos. Tudo bem, mame! Obrigada por ter feito o caf estava delicioso. Bobby pegou suas coisas e foi l para fora, onde o pai estava limpando o porta-bagagens. Bom dia, pai! Oi, Bobby! Hoje o grande dia! disse o pai, que parou o que estava fazendo e colocou o brao sobre o ombro do filho. Voc se esforou muito. Fez tudo o que podia, e imagino que est um pouco nervoso.

Yes, I am a little nervous. I hope I do well today. Son, Im very proud of you. Ive watched you prepare for today, and youve done your best. So I want you to know that whatever happens out there, in my eyes youre already a winner. Dont think that you have to win first place or else well be disappointed. Of course were hoping that youll win, but the most important thing, Bobby, is that youve given it your best, and youve persevered through the training and now you have a race to run. Whatever the outcome, we will be proud of you! Bobby was relieved to hear these encouraging words from his dad. Hed been worried about disappointing his parents, and he wasnt sure if he could win the race. Thanks, Dad! Bobby replied, as he jumped into the back seat of the car. What great parents I have! he thought.

Sim, estou um pouco nervoso. Espero que me saia bem. Filho, eu estou muito orgulhoso de voc. Eu o observei preparar-se para o dia de hoje, e vi que fez o seu melhor. Por isso, quero que saiba que, acontea o que acontecer, para mim voc j um vencedor. No fique achando que tem que ficar em primeiro lugar, caso contrrio vamos ficar desapontados. Claro que estamos torcendo para voc ganhar, mas o mais importante, Bobby, que voc fez o seu melhor, perseverou durante todo o treino e agora vai disputar a corrida. Seja qual for o resultado, vamos continuar orgulhosos de voc! Bobby ficou aliviado ao ouvir as palavras encorajadoras do pai. Ele no tinha certeza se iria ganhar a corrida, e tinha receio de decepcionar os pais. Muito obrigado, pai! respondeu Bobby, e entrou rapidamente na parte de trs do carro. Que pais maravilhosos eu tenho, pensou.

It was the fourth grade sports competition for all the city grade schools. Bobby was part of the team selected from Riverside Grade School, as one of the best runners for the 220-yard dash. Bobby was deep in thought on the way to the sports grounds. He thought of the crowds that would be watching from the bleachers: his family, his friends, and his teachers. With a lot of people rooting for him, he couldnt help but feel nervous. Do you think youll win, Bobby? asked Daryl, his younger brother. Ill be rooting for you. I think youre the fastest out there! I guess well see, Daryl. Ill do my best, thats for sure! When they arrived at the sports grounds, Bobby said goodbye to his family as they went to find seats on the bleachers, and he joined his team.

Era a competio esportiva do quarto ano de todas as escolas de ensino bsico da cidade. Bobby fazia parte da equipe selecionada pela escola Riverside, e era considerado um dos melhores corredores da modalidade de 400 metros rasos. No caminho para o campo esportivo, Bobby estava profundamente pensativo. Pensou na multido que estaria nas arquibancadas assistindo: sua famlia, os amigos, os professores. Com tantas pessoas torcendo por ele, ele no conseguia evitar ficar nervoso. Voc acha que vai ganhar, Bobby? perguntou Daryl, o irmo mais novo. Vou estar torcendo por voc. Eu acho que voc o mais rpido de todos! Vamos ver, Daryl. Farei o melhor que puder, isso com certeza! Quando chegaram ao campo esportivo, Bobby se despediu da famlia. Eles foram procurar um lugar nas arquibancadas e Bobby juntou-se sua equipe.

Bobby readjusted his track shoes and moved towards the starting blocks. He noticed that there was a big turnout! It all seemed so awesomethere were so many people, and so much excitement. The announcers voice was heard over the loud speakers: And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the next event 220-yard dash. That was Bobbys cue. He got in the ready position and waited for the starting signal. The 220-yard dash is about to begin, said the voice of the sports announcer, which boomed across the field. At the sound of the shot, the boys dashed forward, running with all their might. Bobby ajustou os sapatos de correr e se dirigiu para os blocos de partida. Percebeu que tinha muita gente! Era tudo to assustador, com tantas pessoas e tanta agitao. Nos alto-falantes, ouviu-se a voz do anunciador dizendo: E agora, senhoras e senhores, o prximo evento a corrida de 400 metros rasos. Essa era a deixa de Bobby. Ele colocou-se em posio de partida e esperou o sinal. A corrida de 400 metros rasos est prestes a comear disse a voz do apresentador, que se fazia ouvir por todo o campo. Ao som do tiro, os rapazes saram disparados, correndo a toda a velocidade.

Bobby had trained vigorously, and it was now paying off. He was strong and in good shape, and was staying well ahead of the othersexcept for Stewart Davenport, who was close beside him and seemed like he would be a tough one to beat. Stewart was a friend of his who attended another school. They had even trained together occasionally when they had the opportunity. The other boys followed steadily on, not too far behind the two leading boys, Bobby and Stewart. Bobby could hear the People cheering from the crowds. Somehow he just had to get ahead. He had to win. Just then, right in the middle of the race, Stewart tripped and fell, while crying out in pain. Bobby flew forward, happy, but at the same time sad for Stewart, who had been running so well. He had obviously worked hard, but now he seemed to have injured himself and was unable to get back on his feet.

Bobby tinha treinado vigorosamente e agora sentia a recompensa disso. Ele estava forte, em boa forma e encontrava-se bem frente dos outros, com exceo de Stewart Davenport, que estava logo atrs dele e pelo visto seria difcil de bater. Stewart era seu amigo e frequentava outra escola. Haviam treinado juntos sempre que surgira uma oportunidade. Os outros rapazes continuavam avanando, no muito distantes dos dois primeiros, Bobby e Stewart. Bobby ouvia a torcida da multido. Ele tinha que conseguir chegar na frente. Tinha que ganhar. Mas nesse momento, bem no meio da corrida, Stewart tropeou e caiu, e comeou a chorar de dor. Bobby continuou correndo, feliz, mas ao mesmo tempo triste por Stewart, que estivera correndo to bem. Obviamente, ele tinha treinado bastante, mas agora parecia haver se machucado e no conseguia se levantar de novo.

Then suddenly, what seemed to be a crazy thought entered Bobbys mind. Go back to help Stewart. What? No way! thought Bobby. Ive worked hard for months! Im not about to give up this race, certainly not on purpose. Everybody is watchingmy family, my friendsthe whole school is depending on me. Thats crazy! But as Bobby ran on, the small voice that had spoken to him grew louder, until it almost boomed in his ears, urging him to help Stewart. Bobby turned and ran back to Stewart, who was sitting on the ground rubbing his ankle. This made way for James Arnette to win the race. James was elated and the crowd cheered. Whyd you do that, man? You couldve won! Stewart asked. I dont know. I just felt like I had to. I felt like it was the right thing to do, Bobby replied. Thanks, Bobby. Youre a great buddy. Ill never forget that you did this for me. I was so embarrassed when I fell, and at first it hurt like mad! It helped to have a friend there with me. You know, youre a great pal!

De repente, um pensamento aparentemente maluco passou pela cabea de Bobby : Volte e ajude Stewart. O qu? De jeito nenhum! pensou Bobby. Eu dei duro por meses! No vou desistir desta corrida voluntariamente, de jeito nenhum. Todo mundo est olhando minha famlia, meus amigos a escola inteira conta comigo. Isso seria loucura! Mas medida que Bobby avanava, a vozinha no seu ouvido ficava cada vez mais alta, at que ficou quase ensurdecedora, instigando-o a ajudar Stewart. Bobby deu meia-volta e correu at onde Stewart estava, sentado no cho, esfregando o tornozelo. Isso abriu caminho para James Arnette ganhar a corrida. James estava felicssimo e a multido aplaudiu. Por que que voc fez isso, cara? Voc teria ganhado! perguntou Stewart. No sei. Apenas senti que era o que tinha que fazer. Senti que era a coisa certa a fazer respondeu Bobby. Obrigado Bobby. Voc um timo amigo. Jamais esquecerei o que voc fez por mim. Fiquei to envergonhado quando ca, e logo no princpio a dor era insuportvel. Sabe uma coisa, voc um timo amigo!

That act of thoughtfulness by Bobby on the racetrack that day in sixth grade started a lifelong friendship between Bobby Hanson and Stewart Davenport. Bobby gained something much more valuable than only winning a race; he gained a special lifelong friend. Most everyone who attended the race agreed that Bobby had gained in essential qualities: the ones of generosity and unselfishness.

O gesto atencioso de Bobby naquele dia deu incio a uma amizade para toda a vida entre Bobby Hanson e Stewart Davenport. Bobby ganhou algo muito mais valioso do que apenas uma corrida; ganhou um amigo especial para toda a vida. Praticamente todo mundo que assistiu corrida concordou que Bobby ganhou em qualidades fundamentais: generosidade e altrusmo.

Story and art courtesy of My Wonder Studio. Featured on www.freekidstories.org