Something for Joey
Sunshine English Course 3
| Something for Joey | |
|---|---|
| ジョーイ | |
| Details | |
| Word count | 426 |
| Book | Sunshine |
| Grade | 3 |
| Year | ? |
One day, on his way home from a football game, Joey became very sick and went into a coma. "There is little chance of recovery. Why don't you put him in a home?" the doctor said. But no one in Joey's family agreed. They moved his bed to the dining room and took care of him by turns.
Several months passed. Joey was still unconscious, but they talked to him as often as they could.
One evening, John came home from college, and was talking to Joey. Joey's fingers moved a little!
It was a slow recovery, but Joey started to move his body. Then he began to eat and to talk. In just a few months, Joey stood on his feet and began walking. His doctors were more surprised than anyone else.
Joey now looked well again. He was often seen in the locker room of John's team, and was popular among his teammates. But he still had to go to the hospital very often to have painful treatment.
A few days before Joey's eleventh birthday, John asked him about his birthday present. Joey said, "I'd like three touchdowns. No four."
John was surprised. "I've never scored four touchdowns in one game in my life! And not many other people have, either."
Joey looked up at him with his trusting eyes. "You asked me."
"I know, but... O.K., I'll try." John sighed.
"Thanks, John." Joey smiled.
Four touchdowns in one game seemed impossible to John. But he tried just for Joey. And he did it!
1973 was a big year for John. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy. His whole family was invited to the aware party in New York. Joey was not feeling well that day, but how could he miss it?
It was a great party with nearly 4,000 people. Vice-President Ford, movie stars, and many other famous people were among the guests.
After the dinner, they listened to a number of speeches which all praised John as the best player of the year. Finally, it was John's turn to speak.
He thanks his coaches and his teammates for their help. Then he introduced his family. He talked about Joey.
"...The youngest member of our family is Joey. He's very sick...He has leukemia." John paused. His eyes were full of tears. "People say I've been brave on the football field, but it's only on the field, and only in the fall. Joey lives with pain all the time. He's braver than me. I'd like to give this trophy to my brother Joey..."
Alternate version
One day, on his way home from a football game, Joey fell down and went into a coma.
"I don't think Joey will ever get better. You should put him in a home," said the doctor. But no one in Joey's family agreed to that. They put his bed in the dining room and took care of him in turns.
Several months passed. Joey was still in a coma, but his family kept on talking every day and night. One evening, when John was talking to Joey, Joey's fingers moved a little!
Joey slowly started to move, eat and talk. In a few months, he stood up and began walking. His doctors were more surprised than anyone else.
Joey now looked well again. He often visited John's team and was very popular among the teammates.
But Joey had to go to the hospital often. It was painful for him. John knew that but he couldn't do anything about it. He wished to do something for Joey, anything to make Joey happy.
A few days before Joey's birthday, John asked him, "What would you like for your birthday, Joey?" Joey said, "Three touchdowns. No, four!"
John was surprised. "Four touchdowns in one game? That's impossible!"
But Joey looked up at him and smiled. "Well, you asked me." John had to say, "OK, I'll try."
Four touchdowns in one game was almost impossible. But John tried very hard for Joey. And he did it! He kept on making touchdowns in games.
In 1973 was a big for John. He was chosen the best university football player in the US. John's whole family was invited to the awards party in New York. Joey was not feeling well, but how could he miss it?
Almost four thousand people came to the party. There were many movie stars and other famous people there.
After the dinner, they listened to some speeches about John and his wonderful football talent. Finally it was John's turn to speak.
He thanked his coaches and teammates for their help. Then he introduced his family. He began to talk about Joey.
"The youngest member of my family is Joey. He's sick. He has leukemia." John's eyes were full of tears. "People say I've been brave, but it's only on the football fields, and only in the fall. Joey lives with pain all the time. And I'm here today, thanks to him. He's much braver than me. So I'd like to give this trophy to my brother Joey."
Note
- Something for Joey is a 1977 sport drama film about the relationship between college football player John Cappelletti, and his younger brother Joey.
