John Thomas was an 18-year-old student, but he had been a famous champion. Everybody at Boston
University liked this tall, quiet boy. Once he was hurt, everybody at Boston University was sorry. People
all over the country talked about John Thomas and often asked, "Will he ever jump again?"
     John's mother went to the hospital to see her son. She looked at his broken leg. Then she looked into
his eyes. She knew what her son would do. "You're going to jump again, John. I know it," she said.
"Everything will be all right."
     If John hoped to jump again, he would have a lot to do. He began at once. Even in his hospital bed John
started to exercise. He used a wheel and other mental things. Soon his home looked like a machine shop!
     It was May when John left the hospital. "Is it all right if I go camping this summer?" He asked the
doctor.
     "Yes," the doctor said. "But take it easy on that foot."
     John took only short walks at first. He was taking it easy on his foot. But not on anything else. He went
swimming and did other kinds of exercise. He exercised until his body cried for a rest. Some days later, he
exercised a little more. In late summer John went back to hospital. He asked if he could practice with his
football team. Football wasn't his favorite, but he had to get that leg strong again! He worked hard. "No one
pushed him as hard as he pushed himself," said one of his friends. "To see a champion fighting back is a
wonderful thing to watch."

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