Hands on Your Shoulder

Samuel walked into his classroom, feeling the weight of the stares on his back. His heart sank every time he heard whispers about his dreadlocks or his skin color. He tried to ignore them, but their words felt like sharp thorns. The bullying made him question himself, leaving him feeling small and insecure. He wished for a day when he could just be himself without worry.

One afternoon, during recess, a group of kids surrounded Samuel. They teased him about his hair, calling him names that stung like bees. Samuel clenched his fists, trying to hold back tears. He wanted to shout back, but fear held him back. The noise of their laughter echoed in his ears long after they left.

Samuel decided he'd try to blend in, hoping the teasing would stop. He hid his dreadlocks under a cap, hoping no one would notice him. But soon, the cap became a new target for mockery. "Nice hat, Samuel! Hiding something?" someone jeered. His attempts to change only seemed to make things worse.

Feeling defeated, Samuel stayed silent during class discussions, even when he knew the answers. His teacher, noticing his change in behavior, asked if he was okay. But Samuel just shrugged, unwilling to share his troubles. He felt like no one would understand what he was going through. Silence seemed easier than explaining his pain.

One day, during art class, the teacher announced a project about expressing feelings through drawings. Samuel hesitated, unsure if he should reveal his emotions. But as he sketched, his pencil seemed to take on a life of its own. He drew himself surrounded by hands reaching out, some comforting, others pushing away. It was a glimpse of his inner world.

Despite the art project, Samuel felt overwhelmed by the bullying. He started skipping recess, hiding in the library to avoid the taunts. He found solace in books, where heroes faced challenges just like he did. But even the stories couldn't fully ease his loneliness. Samuel began to wonder if he should just accept things as they were.

One rainy afternoon, Samuel's friend, Thandi, noticed his absence during recess. She found him in the library and sat down beside him. - Why are you hiding here, Samuel? she asked softly. Samuel sighed, unsure if he should share his secret. But Thandi's kind eyes encouraged him to speak.

Samuel finally opened up to Thandi, sharing his feelings of isolation and fear. As he spoke, a weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. - I'm tired of being scared, he confessed. Thandi nodded, understanding. - You don't have to face this alone, Samuel. Let's talk to someone who can help, she suggested.

With Thandi by his side, Samuel approached their teacher, Ms. Dube. - Ms. Dube, I need to talk about something important, Samuel said, his voice trembling. Ms. Dube listened carefully, offering reassurance and guidance. She promised to help and encouraged Samuel to speak with his parents. - You're not alone, Samuel, she reminded him.

With the support of Thandi, Ms. Dube, and his parents, Samuel began to feel stronger. He realized that tolerance and community could overcome any obstacle. Samuel's courage grew, and he started standing up for himself and others. The bullying slowly faded, replaced by a newfound respect. Samuel knew he wasn't alone and that together, they could create a kinder world.