“No, I’m not doing that again. I’ve fallen for this trick before.”

“I won’t do it this time, I promise.”

“You say that every time, and every time I run up hoping to kick the football and at the last minute you pull it away and I fall flat on my back.”

“That won’t happen this time.”

Believing her, he runs full speed at the football she is holding for him to kick, with a look of dogged determination on his face. He nears the football. He rears his foot back for the strike. He kicks at the ball. Then, whoosh, the ball is snagged away. Like a fool, he fell for it again. Literally. He is lying on his back, wondering why he was duped again.

*****