Contribution

You could see Coach was revving up, getting into her stride- she absolutely loved her stage, the entire gym with its resounding echo. Her audience of players were all silent, focused on her every impassioned word- it was the Saturday morning practice sermon.

"So, okay. This is your riddle for today. Let's say I'm a player on this team. One of you. Just played the regional game against our arch rivals, and we won. I had a total of four points in thirty-eight minutes on the court- one basket, then later two free throws, two rebounds. Later, coach gave me unofficial MVP for the game. How did this happen?"

Two arms shot up right away, the team captain and assistant captain. Coach wouldn't choose them because they better know the riddle's answer. The others pondered quitely for a minute, then you could see each face light up with the same realization. Then, at least two players, maybe three shouted out together- "Assists!"

"Yes!", Coach beamed. They got it.  "I scored only four points but led both teams in assists! Played solid defense, got two steals, and caused a turnover, all in the fourth quarter! Yes, scoring is very cool. But teamwork gets the win."

Coach had made her point about team contribution, how each player must see themselves. It's true also in life. Your star always second to the team's Star- this defining principle builds character, always the second "c" in Coach.