The Road to Terry - 049 - The Bully

For years and years a bully picks on another kid.  The bully’s actions are okayed either by inaction or enabling.  The kid comes in one day and says, “I want you to stop”.   In return, the kid is beat up more, told to stop complaining, and eventually gets a little reprieve from elders.  Then the bully does something clever…he starts whispering instead of hitting.  He sends subtle hints that he’s still in control.  Even though he’s gotten a slap on the wrist, he can still shove the kid a little in the hallway, he can write how much he hates the kid, he writes about how his life is as bad as the kids’, & he can even join a group that meets to discuss how the kid needs to be punished.  The kid goes to the elders and communicates these acts.  He’s not believed and nothing changes.  One day the kid gets bold enough to challenge the bully.  He throws a blow to end the suffering.   Yet in return the crowd says: “Why are you punching the bully?”  

That’s what every day feels like to me.