The next day, Yan, Sonya, and grandfather went to the police to return the valuable find. The police had long been looking for the "Black Skaters" and now, thanks to Yan, were able to arrest them.
A week later, competitions were held at the city skate park. Yan, inspired by his adventure, decided to participate.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to do it," he admitted to Sonya before his performance.
"You returned the ancient champions' disc and weren't afraid of the bullies. Of course you can do it!" his new friend encouraged him.
When Yan's name was announced, he took a deep breath, stepped on his skateboard, and pushed off. In his head, the words echoed: "Believe in yourself, Yan!"
And suddenly a miracle happened — a perfect ollie worked on the first try! It was followed by another trick, and another... Yan skated like never before, feeling confidence fill him.
That day Yan didn't take first place, but he received a special prize "For Courage and Determination" — a small copy of that very ancient champions' disc.
Yan's story teaches us that believing in yourself and courage help overcome any obstacles and find true friends.
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"What Underground City?" Yan was surprised.
Sonya looked around and whispered:
"They say there are secret tunnels under Novosibirsk where treasures are hidden. My grandfather is an archaeologist, he told me that these discs used to be used as maps. And those guys are from the 'Black Skaters' gang. They hunt for ancient artifacts."
Yan looked closely at the disc:
"But how do you use this?"
"You need to decipher the symbols," said Sonya. "Let's go to my house, my grandfather has books that will help us."
At Sonya's house, Yan met her grandfather, who was very happy to see the ancient artifact. He helped decipher the symbols — it turned out to be not a treasure map, but an ancient award for winners of sporting competitions.
"This disc belongs to the museum," said grandfather. "It was stolen a month ago, and you found it!"
Turning around the corner, Yan found himself in a dead end. Ahead was only a high wall with graffiti, and behind him he could hear the approaching voices of his pursuers.
"Over here, quickly!" a voice called from above.
Yan looked up and saw a girl about his age hanging from a fire escape.
"Grab on!" she extended her hand.
Without hesitation, Yan jumped up, grabbed the outstretched hand, and with the girl's help climbed onto the ladder. They hid, and the pursuers below didn't notice anything and ran past.
"My name is Sonya," the girl introduced herself. "I saw those bullies chasing you. What do you have that's so valuable?"
"I'm Yan. I found this strange disc at the skate park," he showed his find.
Sonya's eyes widened:
"Incredible! That's the Key to the Underground City!"
"Sorry, but I found this here," Yan replied and stepped back. "I'll take it to the lost and found."
"Hand it over nicely!" the older boy moved toward him, and two more kids on skateboards appeared behind him.
Yan remembered his boxing lessons: sometimes the best defense is fast feet. He threw his skateboard to the ground, pushed off, and raced away from the park.
Behind him, he heard shouts and the sound of wheels — the pursuers weren't giving up. Yan sharply turned into a narrow passage between buildings. His heart was pounding with fear, but the boy didn't give up.
"Believe in yourself, Yan, you can do it!" he repeated his mother's words to himself, weaving between pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Right now, your child could be drifting off to sleep hearing about how brave, clever, and amazing they are. Or they could be listening to the same old story about someone else's adventure. The choice is yours.
The skate park wasn't very crowded. Yan started with simple exercises, as his boxing coach had taught him: "First warm-up, then complex movements." On his third attempt to do an ollie, Yan heard a strange sound — like a metallic chime somewhere under the ramp.
Yan approached closer and saw a shiny disc the size of his palm. It was covered with strange symbols and glowed slightly in the shadow.
"What is this?" Yan carefully picked up the find.
At that moment, a tall boy on an expensive skateboard rolled up to him.
"Hey, kid, give it back! That's mine!" he shouted rudely.
Yan was confused. He didn't want trouble, but something told him that this disc was an unusual thing, and the older boy was lying.
Yan stood by the window of his room in Novosibirsk, gazing at the gray autumn sky. His new skateboard with bright red wheels stood in the corner, ready for new adventures. Yan had long dreamed of learning to do a trick called an "ollie" — when the skateboard jumps up with you, as if it had wings.
"Today it will definitely work," whispered Yan, stroking his skateboard. "I have to believe in myself."
Mom peeked into the room:
"Yan, don't forget your gloves and helmet! And come back before dark!"
The boy nodded, grabbed his skateboard, and ran out into the yard. Today he would definitely master the new trick at the city skate park!
The Dream of a Great Trick
Yan and the Mystery of the City Skate Park