Trump, Zelenskyy, and Bullies

You’re a popular, rich 6th Form student.

Another strong, rich 6th Former starts bullying a kid from Year 9, threatening to nick all their stuff - their lunch, Nike trainers, North Face jacket, and iPhone.

You decide to defend the kid.

However, you don’t really want to get in a scrap with the other 6th Former. They’ve got friends in other schools, and you’d rather avoid a full on bundle. So you warn the 6th Former off, and give the kid some extra lunch money to help out. [Some of the kid’s other mates also chip in with extra lunch money].

The bullying eases off for a while - but never stops, then gradually starts getting worse again.

You decide to do something about it.

You tell the kid you’ll make the bullying stop. In return, you want their lunch, Nike trainers, North Face jacket, and iPhone. When they ask a few questions about how that will actually work, you publicly humiliate them.

Turns out, you were the bully all along.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

— Maya Angelou

PS How many of the characters in this story did you imagine as women? Does that make a difference, do you think?