Percible Evans had always dreamt of becoming a professional soccer player. He started the moment he could dribble a ball in the backyard with his older sister serving as goalie. He played through high school, even becoming varsity team captain, but as he got older, it became apparent that Percible would never be able to live his dream.
Still, life went on.
He grew up and became a worker at a desk, a husband, and a father with a little boy named Nathan who loved to play soccer just like he had. However, Nathan was too shy to join a team, so on warm summer afternoons, Percible would take him to the park and they would play for hours, just the two of them.
As Nathan got older, Percible realized his son was far more talented than he ever was. Nathan had a passion and drive that could take him all the way to the pros, if he could just get over his dreadful shyness.
One day during the last week of summer vacation, Percible held their soccer ball in the crook of his arm and said, “Today, we are going to gather some other people to play a real game. If you do this, I’ll give you fifty dollars.”
Nathan’s face lit up as he imagined all of the wonderful things he could buy with that money.
“Let’s do it,” he said.
Percible made his way over to the playground and called over to a trio of teenagers hanging out by the swings. “Hey! If you all come over to the field and play a game of soccer with me and my son, I’ll give you each fifty dollars.”
The teenagers eagerly agreed and joined Percible and Nathan on the field. Percible played goalie, so Nathan was left alone on the field to defend against two of the rival teenagers. They played for a while, dribbling the ball back and forth down the field, but it soon became apparent that they needed more players to form even teams.
Percible called a time-out and jogged over to the walking trail that ran around the perimeter of the park. He found a man in his twenties stretching beneath a tree and asked him to join in their game. “If you play, I’ll give you fifty dollars.”
The man shrugged. “Sure, I’ve got nothing else to do right now.” He followed Percible and took the field at Nathan’s side.
The game resumed, but again, one team seemed to have an unfair advantage. This time, it was Percible and Nathan’s team. The man in his twenties was much taller and more muscular than the scrawny teenagers. He could push past them and score with little resistance.
Nathan and the teenagers were growing tired from playing, but Percible wanted to take one last shot at having a good game. He took another time-out and ran over to the baseball field where a group of adults were just finishing up a game of softball.
Percible explained the situation, again offering each of them fifty dollars if they would come finish out the soccer game with Nathan and the others. They agreed, and the game resumed once more.
The teams were finally even, and the game was neck-in-neck. Dirt flew, sweat poured, and mouths stretched into joyous smiles as everyone had a fantastic time playing together.
After a few hours, the game ended in a tie. The players laughed and rejoiced together, saying how they should do this again sometime. Percible had everyone line up to receive their compensation, from newest to oldest player.
He started with the group of adults, handing each of them a crisp fifty dollar bill. Then, the man in his twenties and the three teenagers.
Lastly, Nathan held out his hand. He thought, for certain, Percible would give him a little extra for working so hard all day and being his son. However, Percible handed him the same fifty dollar bill he had given every other player.
Nathan looked dejectedly at the money in his hand.
“Something wrong?” Percible asked.
“Those other players. They all did less work than me, yet you paid them first and gave them the same amount of money you gave me.”
Percible smiled. “Is that not what you agreed to from the very beginning? Everyone worked hard and made the experience enjoyable. It doesn’t matter to what degree each player contributed. I’m grateful to you and everyone else, and I may show my appreciation in whatever way I choose.”
He put a gentle hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “That is the way of the generous.”