Zachary Avery Powers was a 17-year-old teen who often had a hard time deciding what he wanted. He liked several things, so he often had a hard time picking just one thing at a time. This was the case again when it came time to pick out a costume for Halloween.
When Zach and his buddy Sean wandered into the obscure little costume shop, they figured they would walk out with one cheap outfit each. Things would not end of that way for Zach, as usual.
The Japanese shop owner approached the two seventeen-year-olds, bowing before asking how he could help them.
“Good evening, I am Ueta San, shop owner of this place. Can I help you find anything?” the older man asked them calmly.
Sean was the same age, height and build as Zach. Now, Sean’s dad was a private pilot and he had flown in the Air Force, so for him, the choice was easy. Sean was a bit nerdier as well, hoping to become an engineer in college. Zach was more into sports, although he had played several sports ever since he was a little kid. He had spent time playing soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis. He never stuck to one thing because he couldn’t decide which sport, he liked the most.
“I’m looking for a pilot’s uniform for Halloween!” Sean stated.
“Very well, please follow me!” Ueta San said, as he led Sean into another room where he had racks of military uniforms hanging from the walls. Sean checked them all out before finally settling on one which he liked the best.
“It’s your turn, bro! What kind of costume are you getting? I mean, we got over three weeks, but still. You can only wear one!” Sean said to Zach, who was wandering around the large store, checking out the displays and the shelves with all the colorful, folded costumes. They had dozens of outfits, including movie characters, game characters, superheroes, story book characters, monsters, mythological characters, animals, real life personalities, celebrities, politicians, and a lot more.
“I wanna wear something related to sports. I just can’t decide on who I wanna be!” Zach groaned.
“Here, my friend. I have all kinds of sports related uniforms and outfits in this room. Please follow me!” Ueta San said, as he took Zach into a different room, which was even bigger than the other room.
This room had many shelves with uniforms for players of college, professional or junior level baseball teams, football teams, soccer teams, basketball teams, and much more. There were also all the accessories, such as gloves, masks, bats, rackets, paddles, sticks, skates, cleats, jerseys, boots, balls, and more. There were also many other outfits for those who wanted to dress up as swimmers, boxers, gymnasts, runners, cyclists, and more. The number of possibilities just seemed endless.
“This is not helping me at all. I’m even more confused now than ever. I can’t decide. Let’s just go and get outta here!” Zach just sighed as he turned to walk towards the exit.
“Wait!” Ueta San said. “You can try out many different outfits over the next few weeks and decide on your favorite by Halloween!”
“What? You’re gonna let me take home tons of outfits to try out?” Zach wondered.
“Noooo….” The old man said. “I have something much better. Something…. Magical!”
Zach and Sean just stared at each other, wondering what the man was talking about.
The old man walked into the sports section and came out with a small ring.
“Here. Place this on your finger. Whenever you encounter someone or something related to a sport, any sport, you will become a top-notch player of that sport. Your clothes will change into the appropriate uniform or outfit. You will change and become the best player on that group or team. You will have fun playing the sport. Once finished, you’ll change into someone else. You may be a male or a female, by the way! You may become a basketball player, a soccer star, a tennis champion, or a football quarterback. You will never be too small, too weak, too short or too dumb. You will have all the skills and talent to be great!”
“Uhhh…. How much for this…. Ring?” Zach asked him.
“Free! Try it out. On Halloween, come back here, and give me your decision!” Ueta San responded.
“Gosh. Thanks, mister!”
The boys just walked out and went home. Sean and Zach lived on the same street, so they kept in touch.
The following day, Zach gets up and gets dressed. He goes out and walks to the large, public park down the street. What or who does he see there? What would happen to Zach, next?