Little Pelé Rising

Soccer (or "football" as it is universally called outside the US) is referred to as the ballet of the masses.  One of the most legendary heroes of the game is the great Brazilian star Pelé, voted Football Player of the Century in 1999.  Pelé began his life in poverty, playing football when he could.  He couldn't even afford to buy a football of his own.  He had to practice his techniques either using a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied with a string or using a grapefruit.  He ultimately surmounted all adversities to become a Brazilian national hero and a global living legend.  Although he is now retired, he still works tirelessly as an international spokesperson for soccer/football.

Our little Prince Tyger is far from Brazilian slums and does not have to use a newspaper-filled sock or a grapefruit for his practices.  In fact, he and several other two-year-olds - each equipped with a ball and a parent - attend soccer "practice" on a weekly basis.  The result: chaos worthy of small but adorable Keystone Kops.  Here is the Tyger in a rare motionless moment.

In fact, very few of my still shots are worth keeping, so I switched to video to capture at least some of the action.  The harried instructor is surrounded by pandemonium from the moment the class begins.  His little charges are enchanted by all the movement and often need reminding that they are supposed to heed the instructor.  That is why the parents are there - to keep the little ones focused - a thankless task at best.  Here, the little ones are supposed to place the ball on top of their heads, walk around like the instructor and eventually set the ball down.  Prince Tyger chooses to go his own way and do things in his own time, of course, but is still reassured to see Daddy Big T nearby.

Prince Tyger is also fascinated by the doors in the practice gym and loves it when the balls are headed in their direction.  Each new door is a challenge for him - where may it lead?  So Big T has to fetch him back to the action.  The Tyger then gets "into" things for a few moments, checking to ensure that Proud Grandmom is properly appreciating his moves.

In the meantime, small ones fly gleefully about the playing surface and a good time is had by all.