One more
In the Persistence Tales, the others have been lost, damaged or put aside. One worn ball remains. The players look at it and find that the afternoon still has a little play in it. Strength belongs to this telling: effort has something left to give.
From a distance, the last ball makes a fine image. Everything seems reduced to the wish to continue.
Enough
The cautionary version brings us closer. The ball no longer behaves reliably, and the people using it know. Continuing begins to ask more of everyone than anybody has quite agreed to. The Devil enters through the difficulty of admitting that enough effort has already been spent.
Both versions lead towards the Last Open Court. An option remains; its availability cannot settle whether to take it. The question in the hand is still the condition of the ball.
Afterwards
Some players save the final ball from a difficult session. Others discard it immediately, unwilling to turn endurance into a duty for next time. Both customs belong to this widely attested object.
Perhaps the remembered afternoon ended with another rally. Perhaps someone was relieved when the basket was put away. The ball cannot award courage to one ending and shame to the other.