The youngest of three sons, he would often play basketball with his brothers and their older friends.

Even at a very young age Michael Jordan enjoyed playing basketball, but he wasn’t always good at it.

His brothers, Larry and Ronnie, were kind to Michael and encouraged his love of the sport, but some of the other boys teased Michael about being short.

These games of basketball were usually pretty good, and Michael had a lot of fun playing.

One boy in particular was especially hard on Michael.  His name was Daniel, and Daniel was the tallest boy on the court.

Michael frowned and kept dribbling his way to the hoop.

“Michael!”, yelled Larry, “I’m open.”  

Michael threw the ball to Larry,  but Daniel’s long arms shot out and knocked the ball away. Daniel’s team made a basket, and the game was over.  Michael had lost the game again.

“I want that ball, small fry.” Daniel chided.

Feeling responsible, Michael would not stop apologizing on the way back home.

“ I’m so sorry guys”, he said. “If only I were taller we could have won, I’m so sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter how tall you are Michael, you played really good today”, Ronnie said trying to cheer up his little brother.  “And besides, Daniel is way older than you.  You will grow to be tall too.”

“Oh yeah, when is that going to happen?”, asked Michael.  “I have been the same height for almost a year and a half.”

Once they got home Michael sat down in the kitchen still disappointed from his loss.

“ What’s the matter Michael?” asked his Michael's mother.  “Did you guys lose the game again today?”

Michael nodded and sat quietly for awhile until he asked his mother “Mamma, how can I grow faster?”

Michael’s mother was no dummy, but she struggled to answer Michael’s question. Thinking very hard Mama came up with an idea.

Michael looked at his mother as if she had lost her mind, but he decided to give it a try anyway.  After all, nothing she said to try could hurt his game.

“Well let’s see”, she started, “you'll need to eat your vegetables, get plenty of rest, say your prayers, and every night you should hang from the monkey bars down at the park.”

Before he left the kitchen his mother patted him on the back and said, “You will get taller Michael, trust your mother.”

“OK, thanks Mama.” Michael reluctantly replied, and then he was off to park to think.

Two months later, Michael was still doing all the things his mother told him to, but he was not even an inch taller. He had also stopped playing basketball with his brothers.

One Saturday Larry and Ronnie asked him to play a game with them,  but Michael refused.  Instead he told them he wasn’t feeling well and just wanted to stay home.

“Suit yourself bro, but we really do miss you down at the court”, said Larry.

Michael was just too embarrassed to face Daniel and the other boys at the court.  Michael had started to give up on something he loved doing.