The Team Captain's Decision
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Team captain Devika risks an awkward conversation with her coach to speak up for a hardworking teammate who never gets playing time.
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Devika has been team captain of the school volleyball team for exactly two months. She still isn't sure she deserves the title.
During practice on Tuesday, she notices something that has been bothering her for weeks. The coach keeps giving Farah, the newest player, almost no playing time. That's true even though Farah has improved more than anyone else on the team this season.
"She's still learning the rotations," the coach says, when Devika asks about it quietly after practice. "I don't want to risk a mistake during a real match."
Devika understands the logic, but it doesn't sit right with her. Farah has stayed late every single practice, asking for extra drills nobody else wants to do. If effort like that doesn't earn a chance to play, Devika isn't sure what does.
She spends that night going back and forth. Saying something could make her look like she's questioning the coach in front of the team. Saying nothing means watching a teammate work harder than anyone and still get overlooked.
The next day, Devika catches the coach before practice starts. "Can I ask you something? About Farah."
The coach sighs, clearly expecting this. "Go ahead."
"I know it's your call," Devika says, "but I think she's ready for more minutes. She's the first one here and the last one to leave, every single practice. If we don't give her a real chance, I don't think that's fair to her."
The coach is quiet for a moment. "You really believe she's ready?"
"I do. And even if she makes a mistake, that's how she'll actually learn the rotations you're worried about."
He nods slowly. "Alright. She starts the next set today. We'll see how it goes."
During the match, Farah is nervous at first, missing an easy serve in the opening minutes. But she settles in quickly. By the third set, she's set up two of the team's best points.
Afterward, Farah finds Devika by the water fountain. "Did you say something to Coach?"
Devika shrugs, trying to sound casual. "I just mentioned you'd earned it."
Farah doesn't say anything for a second. Then she grins. "Well, don't stop mentioning things."
