Labyrinth League's Great Sportsmanship Game
Labyrinth League's Great Sportsmanship Game — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Hurry, Rafael!" Tara called, her voice echoing through the enormous squash blossom. Rafael, panting, scrambled after her, his tiny boots crunching on the pollen-dusted path. "The Labyrinth League games start any minute! I don't want to miss the kickoff!"
Page 2
They finally reached the stadium—a hollowed-out pumpkin, carved with windows and doorways. "Look!" Rafael exclaimed, pointing to a banner hanging above the entrance. "'Great Sportsmanship Game'—that's new, isn't it?" Tara tilted her head. "I think I read something about it. Apparently, whoever finds the lost 'Seed of Unity' gets extra points for their team!"
Page 3
Inside the pumpkin stadium, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Rafael spotted Ivan, his friend, near the gourd-seed snack stand. "Ivan!" Rafael shouted. Ivan, turning around, grinned. "Hey guys! Did you hear about the 'Seed of Unity'? It's supposed to be hidden somewhere in the Labyrinth Garden!" Tara frowned. "Shouldn't we focus on the game?"
Page 4
"Tara's right," Rafael said, adjusting his acorn helmet. "But... maybe we can look for it after the game?" The whistle blew, and the Beetles and Caterpillars teams charged onto the dewdrop-covered field. The game was fast-paced, with grasshopper leaps and ladybug dashes. The Beetles scored! The crowd roared. But during the celebration, their star player, Zoom, twisted his ankle!
Page 5
"Oh no!" Tara exclaimed. "Zoom is their best player!" The Beetle team captain, a grumpy grasshopper named Hopper, shook his head. "We'll never win without Zoom!" Rafael, seeing Hopper's distress, had an idea. "Hey," he said, "maybe finding the 'Seed of Unity' could give them a boost! It might lift their spirits, at least." Tara shrugged. "Okay, let's look. Where do we even start?"
Page 6
Ivan pointed towards a tangle of thorny rose bushes. "The Labyrinth Garden, remember? Old Man Willowbug said it's a maze of twisting paths and confusing scents. And he mentioned something about 'following the buzzing'." Tara raised an eyebrow. "Buzzing? Bees? I'm allergic!" Rafael grinned. "Don't worry, I have a vial of nectar! It keeps the bees friendly, Old Man Willowbug told me about it."
Page 7
They cautiously entered the Labyrinth Garden. Thorns snagged at their clothes, and the air was thick with the cloying scent of roses. "Buzzzzzz," went a bee, circling Tara's head. Rafael quickly uncorked the vial of nectar, and the bee gently landed on his finger. "See?" he said. They followed the buzzing, deeper and deeper into the maze. They took a right, then a left, then another left.
Page 8
Suddenly, they stumbled into a small clearing. In the center, resting on a velvet cushion, was a tiny, glowing seed—the Seed of Unity! But guarding it was a giant, grumpy caterpillar! "Halt!" he growled. "No one takes the Seed without answering my riddle!" Rafael remembered something Old Man Willowbug always said. "'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,' just like Socrates said. What's the riddle?"
Page 9
The caterpillar cleared his throat. "I am always coming, but never arrive. I am always near, but never here. What am I?" Tara, thinking quickly, said, "Tomorrow!" The caterpillar sighed. "Correct. Take the Seed." They raced back to the stadium and presented the Seed to Hopper. The Beetle team cheered, their spirits lifted. Zoom, despite his injury, smiled. "We can still win!"
Page 10
The Beetles played with renewed energy, showing great sportsmanship. Even though they didn't win, their positive attitude inspired everyone. As they left the stadium, Rafael smiled. "Sometimes," Tara said, "trying our best is more important than winning. And helping others makes everything better!" Rafael nodded. "What do you say we find another adventure in the garden tomorrow?"
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)