Close to the Gold: Rereading at Archery Club

Close to the Gold

1Every Thursday after school, Soraya walked to the far end of the field for archery club. Coach Benedek had set up four round targets on bales of straw. Each target had rings of white, black, blue, red and gold. The small gold circle in the center was worth the most points.

2Soraya buckled on her arm guard and pulled an arrow from her quiver. She set the arrow on her bow and stood sideways to the target, just as the coach had taught her. "Feet apart, shoulders relaxed," she whispered to herself.

3Her first arrow landed in the blue ring. Her second arrow hit the edge of the red. "You're getting close," said her friend Callum, who was keeping score on a clipboard. "I'll record that one as a seven."

4Then a strong gust of wind swept across the field. The flags by the shed flapped, and the grass bent low. Soraya's third arrow drifted left and missed the target completely. It slid into the grass behind the bales. She felt a tear sting her eye, but she blinked it away.

5Coach Benedek walked over and pointed at the flags. "Wait for the wind to die down, and then make a minute change," he said. Soraya was not sure what he meant. "Aim just a tiny bit to the right," he explained. Soraya nodded. She did not need a big change, only a small one.

6When the field grew still, she drew the string back to her chin and held it for a slow count of three. Then she let go. Thunk! The arrow struck the gold, close to the very center.

7Callum cheered so loudly that the archers in the next lane turned around. "That's the best shot you've ever made!" he said, writing it down. "It's a new record for you."

8At the end of practice, the club gathered by the shed to put away the gear. Before anyone left, the whole group clapped for Soraya, and she took a small bow. Then the coach asked her to close the shed door and lock it.