Official Blog of Kristy Gherlone

Sassafras: The Olympic Hopeful

by Kristy Gherlone

“Mom? Can ducks be in the Olympics?”

“I don’t see why not. I think anyone can be in the Olympics as long as they are willing to work hard and practice their sport every day.”

“I can work hard,” Sassafras said. “I’d like to be in the Olympics and win a gold medal!”

“Well, then you can. I think that is a wonderful goal,” Sassafras’s mother said. “Find a sport that interests you and see how you do.”

Sassafras tried snowboarding.

She practiced for a few hours and after a while, she learned some tricks.

“Hey! Look at me! I can go sideways!” She cried in delight. Snowboarding was fun!

“Look how fast I can go!” Sassafras laughed. She really liked snowboarding, but wanted to try some other sports, too.

“How about snowshoeing?” Her mother suggested.

“How do I keep these things on my feet?”

Sassafras decided that snowshoeing was not the sport for her. She didn’t like it as much as snowboarding because she couldn’t go as fast.

“Well, I’m glad you gave it a chance, anyway,” her mother said. “Is there something else you would like to try?”

“How about iceskating? It would be fun to be a champion figure skater!”

“Okay, but I’ll have to make you an ice skating rink first so you can practice,” her mother said.

Sassafras’s mother shoveled the snow from the ice and bought her some skates.

“These skates hurt my feet,” Sassafras said.

Even after practicing, and trying as hard as she could, she kept falling down. “Can I try something else, like bobsledding?”

“Hmm,” Sassafras’s mother contemplated. Bobsleds were very expensive. She didn’t want to buy one if Sassafras wasn’t sure she’d like it. “How about you try a regular sled first and see how it goes.”

Sassafras’s tried the sled.

“It’s fun, but I think I’ve decided that I’d like to concentrate on snowboarding. I like it the best.”

“I’m glad you finally chose a sport that suits you,” Sassafras’s mother said.  “I’m proud of you for trying so many different things. That takes a lot of bravery.”

“Thank you. I am very brave,” Sassafras said. “How long do you think it will take to earn a gold medal?”

“I think you’ve earned one today,” her mother laughed.

“Hooray! I’m a gold medalist!”