Sebastian’s Race

Sebastian loves the final stretch of a relay race. He likes hearing his team call his name as he runs towards the finish. During practice, however, Coach Ward asks him to take the second leg instead. Tess will run last, and the team must learn to pass a soft baton without stopping their progress.

Sebastian feels as though he has been moved away from the important part. When the first runner reaches him, he snatches the baton and races down the grass. He is so eager to show his speed that he reaches Tess before she is ready. The baton falls between them, and both children stop to pick it up.

Tess says she could not tell when he planned to pass it. Sebastian replies that she should have watched more closely. Coach Ward asks them to describe the handover without blaming each other. Sebastian had been looking at the finish cones, while Tess had been looking behind her and trying to start running at the same time.

They practise at walking speed. Tess holds her hand where Sebastian can reach it, and they agree on one clear word before he passes the baton. At first they both laugh because the slow version feels nothing like a race. Then Sebastian notices how much easier it is to tell whether Tess is ready.

As they speed up, he starts watching Tess instead of the distant finish. She listens for their agreed word, takes the baton and runs on. Their next handover works, but the first runner is still unsure where Sebastian wants him to stand. Tess suggests that the whole team practise together, not just the pair who dropped the baton.

On sports afternoon, another team moves ahead early. Sebastian feels the old urge to rush and make up every bit of distance at once. He remembers the fallen baton and keeps his eyes on the next handover. Tess receives it smoothly, then runs her final stretch while the others cheer from beside the lane.

Their team finishes second. Sebastian is disappointed for a moment, until the first runner points out that they have completed every handover without a drop. Coach Ward asks each child to name something another teammate did well. Tess thanks Sebastian for giving a clear signal instead of reaching her too suddenly.

When they pack away the cones, Sebastian asks to practise the second leg again next week. He still enjoys the excitement of the finish, but he understands that a race can depend on a moment halfway through. The baton does not arrive there by itself. Someone has to help the next runner get moving.