me alone. I was back to being what my parents had described when I was in third grade— a cute kid with a great personality who loved to laugh.
__( 6)____ I shared my story with 85 important people, including Michelle Obama. I inspired 85 other kids. I hosted or attended 85 events that raised awareness. I’ ve been on TV, in magazines, even got to fly to Washington, D. C.… twice. I’ ve spent the last year traveling around to schools and telling them bullying is never okay. I was overweight but I didn’ t deserve to get picked on.
Here’ s what the bullies say to me now:“ Can I have your autograph?”
__( 7)___ You have to believe in yourself and not let mean kids decide who you will be and what you can do. If you are being the bully, stop! Come run with me instead or go ride a bike, climb a building, hit a punching bag. Do anything other than try to make a kid, like me, feel bad about himself. You never know … the person you’ re picking on could turn out to be the president one day.
Mason Carter Harvey
An extract from“ Chicken Soup for the Soul- Think Positive”
By Kevin Sorbo and Amy Newmark
Image credit: http:// www. clker. com /
Dodinsky
1. Why did the little boy refuse to go to school? 2. Who helped him overcome the problems he had at school? 3. What is“ Strive for 85”? How did it help other children? 4. Have you ever been bullied? Did anyone help you? 5. What would you do if you saw a friend of yours being bullied? 6. How can a teacher help a child who’ s been bullied? 7. Do you think that adults could be bullied, too?
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