S H O RT S TO R I E S F R O M T H E G LO B A L C LA S S R O O M |
2014
Lia did not reply. She stayed silent, not sure what she should say, as she was ashamed to reveal her sad past. But
Mother Stardust’s kind face slowly drew the words out of her.
After Lia blurted out her story, Mother Stardust calmly enquired, ‘Why didn’t you just stand up to the bullies, Lia?’
Lia looked down, her face red with embarrassment, and then mumbled, ‘I was petrified of them.’
Mother Stardust looked Lia in the eye and whispered, ‘It is okay to be scared but remember this – you are a
wonderful creation, unique and special. Be confident in who you are, stand up to what is wrong and never give up.’
Shortly afterwards, Lia decided it was time to return to her village. As much as Mother Stardust told her she was
welcome to stay, Lia felt it was time to get back to her real life. She felt stronger emotionally and mentally and was
confident she would be able to handle the bullies better than she had before. She was no longer Lia of the past, timid
and unconfident, but a bold, self-assured young lady.
As she strode into her village, the bullies immediately sensed the dramatic change in her. Her shoulders were pulled
back, her gaze was steady, and her face glowed with confidence. They gawped in amazement, and hesitated to lay
a finger on her. One of the biggest bullies tried to insult Lia, making personal remarks about her looks and her
abilities, but Lia boldly stood up to him. She gave him a hard lecture on being a bully and how damaging it is to a
person’s life. When she was finished, the bully realized that he had to change his mean ways and hurtful actions. He
left ashamed, and made a decision to turn over a new leaf. He never bullied anyone ever again.
Lia spent the rest of her days peacefully and happily selling different types of buns in her new bakery, where no one
bothered her. As for Mother Stardust, she now helps Lia out at her bakery, and is having a grand time giving free
buns to good children every now and then!
These days, Lia finds whatever opportunity she has to relate her story to the village children as they come to buy
buns. Bullying is unkind and needs to be put to an end. If you have been a bully, or have been mean to someone,
think about this story and try to stop bullies instead of being one yourself. Always be kind to others and treat them
the way you want them to treat you.
32