Benji, You're a Legend! PDF

MY BROTHER IS ALWAYS bringing ribbons, medals and trophies home from school. People are always saying, 'Jamie, you're a legend!' Nobody ever says, 'You're a legend too, Benji.' I wish they would. One morning after breakfast, Jamie told Mum and Dad, 'We're having a school Bike Carnival next month. I...

MY BROTHER IS ALWAYS bringing ribbons, medals and trophies home from school. People are always saying, 'Jamie, you're a legend!' Nobody ever says, 'You're a legend too, Benji.' I wish they would. One morning after breakfast, Jamie told Mum and Dad, 'We're having a school Bike Carnival next month. I'm off to the park to do some training. See you later.' 'Me too!' I said. I raced to the garage and grabbed my helmet. By the time I had clicked its straps together, Jamie was halfway down the street. When I got to the park, Jamie was riding without any hands. I tried doing that, but I fell over. Jamie rode over to check if I was all right. I stood up and said, 'I suppose so. But I'll never be a legend like you!' 'I fell off my bike a lot when I was your age,' Jamie said. 'And Benji, if you want to be a legend, you've got to stop fussing about beating other people. Just train hard, don't give up and try to be your best. Okay?' I climbed back on my bike and said, 'I'll give it a go.' Jamie showed me how to do wheelies and bunny hops. Soon I could ride with no hands too. 'You're getting good at this,' Jamie said. 'Hey, I'm going home to get something to eat and drink. Keep training. You'll be a legend in no time.' I practised my wheelies, bunny hops and no-hands riding, until the sun started roasting me and I had to go home too. I was so busy thinking about the Bike Carnival, I left my bike on the driveway, behind a trailer full of rubbish, and went inside. I was glugging down my second glass of lemonade when Dad opened the kitchen door, his face all clouded over. 'Come outside, Benji,' he said sombrely. 'I've got something to show you.' I stood on our driveway, staring at the mangled front wheel of my bike. I felt mangled too---as if that trailer of rubbish had run over me as well. 'Dad,' I said, 'you backed over my bike.' 'I'm sorry, Benji. You shouldn't have left it on the driveway,' Dad said. 'I couldn't see it when I was reversing.' 'I won't do it again,' I said. 'But Dad, could you please buy me a new bike? The Bike Carnival's next month.' Dad picked up my wrecked bike and put it in the trailer, on top of the other rubbish. 'Your mum and I can't afford to buy you a new bike right now,' Dad said. 'Now get in the car, please, Benji. We're taking your broken bike to the tip.' While Dad was emptying the other rubbish I clung to my bike. 'Maybe Grandpa can fix it in his workshop?' I suggested. 'He'll say your bike is only good for spare parts,' Dad said. 'We haven't seen Grandpa for ages,' I said. 'We should visit him anyway.' \* \* \* When I showed Grandpa my bike, he crinkled his wrinkles. 'Sorry, Benji,' he said. 'It's only good for spare parts.' I had a bold idea. When I told Grandpa, he grinned, then handed me a spanner and a spray can of oil. 'Try loosening the front wheel nuts,' he said. 'I'll get my angle grinder and welding equipment.' When Dad came back later, I proudly showed him my new unicycle. Every day after school and every weekend for the next month, I practised riding my unicycle. I fell off a hundred times. On the 101st time, I wobbled for a few metres. Soon I could swerve like an eagle, hop like a bunny and ride downstairs. \* \* \* Jamie and I rode to school on the day of the Bike Carnival. I was the only kid with a unicycle. My mouth flooded with a nasty taste. I climbed off my unicycle and carried it to the nearest bush. 'What are you doing?' Jamie asked. 'Hiding my unicycle,' I said. 'If I enter the Bike Carnival, kids are going to tease me. Besides, there's only room for one legend in our family.' 'No way!' my brother said. 'You can rock this Bike Carnival, Benji. Just be bold, give it your best and have fun. All right?' I took a deep breath. 'Okay,' I said. Turning around, I faced a crowd of kids. 'Where's your other wheel?' someone teased. 'I didn't need a training wheel anymore,' I said, 'so my Grandpa and I took it off.' Jamie and the other kids laughed. When our principal announced the first event for my class, I gulped. Then I spread my arms like an eagle's wings and wobbled to the starting line. I didn't win a single event, but I got lots of cheers. When our principal handed out prizes, Jamie won the trophy for the School Champion Rider. I didn't even win a ribbon. But when the last prize had been handed out, the principal said, 'A special mention for the best unicycle rider goes to ... Benji. Come out here, please, Benji.' People cheered as I spread my arms and rode out to the middle of the oval. 'We weren't expecting any unicycle riders today,' the principal said, 'so we don't have a trophy for you, Benji. But I just want you to know that everyone here thinks you're a legend!' I grinned until my face hurt. Then I did some swerves and bunny hops on my unicycle. And people cheered and clapped again.