Once upon a time, there was a baseball team called the Mitts. They had a coach who always wore a mitt on his hand, even when he wasn't coaching. One day, the shortstop asked the coach why he wore the mitt all the time. The coach replied, "I want to be ready for any ball that comes my way!"

The next game, the coach could feel the mitt getting heavier and heavier. He looked inside and found a small genie who granted him three wishes. The coach wished for a winning team and, just like that, the Mitts became the best team in the league.

The shortstop asked the coach how they did it and the coach says, "I have a secret weapon." The shortstop couldn't believe it, "What is it?" he asked. The coach twinkled his eye and says, "This mitt!"

The shortstop thought the coach was joking, but the next time they played, the coach caught every ball that came his way! The shortstop asked the coach if he could try the mitt and the coach says, "Sure, but you should come up with a wish of your own."

The shortstop put on the mitt and wished to be the best shortstop in the league. Just like that, he made every play and helped the Mitts win the championship game. From then on, the Mitts always asked their coach for advice before every game and he would always say, "Just believe in yourself and this mitt will do the rest!"

Reflections

1. What did the coach always wear on his hand?
2. What did the shortstop ask the coach?
3. How did the Mitts become the best team in the league?
4. What was the coach's secret to success?
5. What did the shortstop wish for?
6. How did the Mitts win the championship game?
7. What advice did the coach give before every game?