Needing a New Pair

I was once in a similar situation. There was a kid named Mike that was in my 5th grade class, he got anything and everything he wanted. He had all the coolest toys, the nicest clothes, and the best shoes. It was winter time and our school basketball season was just beginning. I was not among the top players on the team but Mike was. He had the nicest, cleanest, best basketball shoes on the whole team. I was sure that if I were to get a pair I would be one the best too. I begged and pleaded with my parents to let me get some. I tried saying mine were worn out, the coach said we all need the same team shoe, and even that I might die if I didn't get them. It was all to no avail my mother told me if I wanted them I could buy them, but with what I had no money. She also told me that my performance did not lie in a pair of shoes but rather in how hard I worked and how much I practiced. I heard what she said but was not really listening. I t wasn't until the next school year when we tried out again that Mike with his new shoes was not as good as I. I used my summer and practiced everyday. Me and my old worn out shoes made the first team and I then learned practiced makes perfect.