(Christmas Day, 1914. No Man’s Land, The Western Front.)
Benson skilfully kicked the heavy leather football past his man, but an outstretched German boot caught his khaki shin. He fell onto the hard ground.
“Oi, Fritz!”
“Entschuldigung, Tommy!”
The laughing corporal helped Benson back to his feet, then offered him a swig from his hip flask. Not strictly within the rules, but well within the spirit of this impromptu kick about.
This England v Germany game was friendlier than most, helped along by the shared cake and alcohol. Helmets for goalposts. Men on both sides sang Christmas Carols…
Then officers barked orders. A bigger game was about to restart.
This is my contribution to 100 Word Challenge – Week 113, Hosted at Julia’s Place. Click the logo for more details. Click here to read the other stories.
Walk the Self-Talk 
Very good, well written 🙂
I think the Christmas Truce in WW I illustrates the senseless nature and tragedy of the whole war.
Great moment to pick, can you imagine what they felt trudging back to their lines? Nice write, Steve!
Thanks. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like, but just to read about it is heartbreaking. Four more years of war and millions of lives lost. And for what?
Very well written!