Hunkering down Chezky’s eyes were glued to the ball. Determined he moved back and forth in front of the goal intent on protecting his team. There was absolutely no way he would allow that soccer ball to sail past him and penetrate the net.

Without warning the ball was speeding his way. Leaping into the air he caught it raised it high and— a shrill whistle blew signaling the end of recess.

“Not fair!” Chezky groused kicking up gravel as he slowly made his way back into the school building. “That was such a great game! Why did we have to end it for an old history class?”

“Yeah ” Doniel agreed falling into step beside Chezky. “What’s the point of all those old dates and stories anyway?”

Lips turned down 25 fifth graders shuffled to their desks slid into their chairs and heaved loud sighs. It had been such a great game. And now their fun was halted in its tracks the drudgery about to begin.

Mr. Atik stood in front of the classroom. Cropped with a crown of silvery hair blue eyes crinkling he looked as old as the material he was teaching.

“Okay boys ” he began “please turn to page 65 in your textbook.”

Flipping to the page those were the last words Chezky heard. Glancing through the window a striking blue sky beckoned whispering of fun and unfinished soccer games. Butterflies flitted around the blossoming flowers and cardinals and robins flashed by. Come join us they seemed to call. It’s too beautiful outside to stay cooped up. Chezky didn’t need a second invitation. In his mind’s eye he dashed to the boundary line and threw the soccer ball with all his strength. Agilely Doniel met the ball and gave a mighty kick sending the ball straight into the other goal.

“Yay!” his teammates cheered. “Great play Chezky and Doniel!”

A proud smile flitted across Chezky’s face. But then the picture vanished like a small white cloud passing overhead. Still gazing through the window Chezky noticed two gray squirrels spiraling up a large oak tree their bushy tails waving like flags dancing in the wind. Even the squirrels get to have fun on a day like today he mused. It’s not fair!

Suddenly the sound of a deep gravelly voice pulled him out of his reverie.

“And that class is how the UN first started. During World War II a group of nations united to fight against the Axis powers. In 1945 representatives of 50 states met in San Francisco to draw up the United Nations Charter. They try to do some good things like offering help after national disasters championing children’s rights…”

Hey! Chezky sat upright in his seat a glint in his eye as an idea burst through the doors of his mind. Championing children’s rights hmm? What a great idea!

The moment the bell rang Chezky sprang out of his seat hopping impatiently from one foot to the other until Mr. Atik shuffled out of the room.

“Hey guys!” he called. “Class meeting at lunch time. Do I have a plan!” (Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr. Issue 658)