Jeremy finds a magic pen that will help him fight his school’s bullies Jeremy was a dreamer who constantly hoped for an adventurous life, full of supernatural encounters. Like most boys at his age, Jeremy also wished for superpowers and extraordinary adventures. But despite excellent grades and various school achievements, Jeremy was constantly miserable because he was a victim of bullying. His love and passion for mathematics got him the nickname “Nerd,” which was anything but kind. But what gave Jeremy comfort, especially in the dark days when older boys bullied him, was the unconditional love of his family and the amazing friendship he shared with a little boy named Michael. Michael had a tougher time than Jeremy, as older boys always mocked his appearance and skinny framework. Often, Jeremy wished he could turn into a superhero so he could protect his friend and all the kids who were constantly bullied. He wanted to invent a fantastic object or something that could revolutionize the whole world, making it a better place for everyone around him. His invention would erase hate, pain, and differences among kids. And one day, his secret wish was answered. It all started with the day when he found a beautiful pen on the street. At first, Jeremy thought the pen was an ordinary one, but then he saw that the writing instrument had magical qualities. After a simple touch of the pen, his homework would write itself. So Jeremy tried to see if this would work even with his English composition—and yet again, in just a few seconds, an essay was written without any effort from his side. Then Jeremy’s plans became more ambitious and he drew two big wings that were attached through a belt to his body, and he flew into the night, overpassing buildings and cities. For five days, Jeremy drew things he’d always wanted, like a pair of magical ears with which he listened to people’s thoughts or a suit that would make him invisible. He played like this until he realized that superpowers meant nothing if they weren’t shared with his friends. Thus, he drew another magical pen for his good friend Michael. The next day, Jeremy left for school having hidden the two enchanted writing instruments in his pencil box. After meeting his good friend, Jeremy recounted everything about his latest adventures with the pen. Following his story, he offered the second pen to his friend. To his great surprise, the boy refused the gift and went on to ask, “And how do you intend to use your new-found powers against those bullies?” Jeremy told Michael about his plan of becoming a powerful superhero who would beat the bad boys the way they used to beat him. But instead of enthusiasm, he saw fear on his friend’s face. He asked Michael which part of the plan burdened him. “I’m concerned because you don’t see that this pen and your new powers are transforming you into a different person. Using an unknown force against those boys doesn’t make you better than them. I don’t think I want to be friends with someone who wants to dominate others through power. I like my old friend, the good Jeremy, but I dislike this power-hungry superhero.” And Michael left Jeremy all alone and very confused. At the end of the day, the bad boys who were always bullying the younger kids stopped in front of Jeremy’s class. This time, they were harassing a blonde girl, pulling her ponytail and screaming names at her. Jeremy wanted to draw a sketch of his super suit so he could save the girl from those horrible kids, but then he saw that an older child intervened. The brown-haired boy defended the young girl exactly like a comic book superhero and stopped the villains without even moving a finger. It was then when Jeremy understood that younger kids like him don’t need magical pens but rather friends like that teenager who have the courage to go up against bad boys and do the right thing. The youngster didn’t attack the bullies because aggressiveness is a distinctive feature of super-villains. Instead, he showed them that he could be as ferocious as them. Of course, the bullies didn’t expect to find someone who would stand up against them, and when they found that person, they proved to be cowards, running as fast as they could from the danger. That day, Jeremy understood that superheroes live among us and they don’t need super-wings or super-suits. Tudor Achim, 9Tampa, FL
Bullying
The Bus Ride
It was Wednesday afternoon. I sat waiting anxiously at my desk. It was almost time to leave school. That meant it was almost time to go on the bus. I hated the bus. Big sixth-graders sat in the back. They always bullied us third-graders. Butterflies began forming in my stomach as I quickly jogged to my locker. Today, I was late. It was my turn to clean the chalkboard. I grabbed my books out of my locker and shoved them into my bag. The halls were deserted except for a few kids hurrying to the door. As I walked out into the warm May sunshine, my fear ceased for a moment as I enjoyed the beautiful afternoon; but it left as soon as it came when I spotted the bus. When I climbed the big, black steps onto the bus, I prayed that there would be an empty seat left up front; but there wasn’t. Every single seat was filled with two people. I walked toward the back hoping to find an empty seat. The kids around me were happily talking; I wished I could be one of them. Why, why wasn’t there an empty seat? It wasn’t fair. Suddenly I spotted an empty seat. The only problem was, it was right smack in the middle of the sixth-graders. I tried to look around me for another place to sit, but there was none. The bus started moving so I had to sit down. The radio was playing “Bye, Bye, Bye” by ‘N Sync. All of the sixth-grade girls around me started singing, while the boys were groaning. Happily, I sat back in my seat. None of them had noticed me yet. She gave me a big hug and said, “You can stop crying now, it will be OK” As we were getting off the highway, the boy sitting in front of me turned around. He had one green eye and one blue. His blond hair hung over his eyes as if to hide them. “Hey, what are you doing back here? The back of the bus is for sixth-graders only.” At first, I didn’t know what to say. Then, I realized I should just tell the truth. “I had to stay after school and clean the chalkboard, which made me late, and there was nowhere else to sit by the time I got here.” “So, you’re a teacher’s pet? I don’t like teachers’ pets; in fact, I hate teachers’ pets!” I wished that someone would help me, that the bus driver would hear what was going on; but he didn’t. By now, everybody in the back of the bus was quiet, waiting for the boy’s next move. Or perhaps, they simply did not want to get involved. “I like your little baby overalls and your pink flowered shirt. Who picked them out for you? Your mommy? I bet you wish she was here right now, don’t you, don’t you?” That was the last straw. I had been so nervous for so long that I started to cry. Tears were streaming down my face that reminded me of a warm spring rain. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to stop and fight back but I couldn’t. Just when I thought I couldn’t cry anymore, a tall blond-haired, blue-eyed girl wearing practically the same outfit as me sat down next to me. She gave me a big hug and said, “You can stop crying now, it will be OK.” She turned to the boy and said, “Stop picking on innocent little girls. She told you why she sat back here; I’m sure she would have sat up front if she could have. As for her outfit, I’m wearing practically the same thing and I don’t look like a baby, do I?” The boy just sat there stunned. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. People around us started cheering for this mysterious girl sitting next to me. The boy slumped down into his seat. The rest of the bus ride home the girl (named Hannah) and I became quick friends. When I got off the bus that afternoon I was on top of the world. Christine Nichols, 13Concord, New Hampshire Jill Cooley, 13Burlington, Massachusetts
Tiger, Tiger
Toly hid among the tall grasses of the tropical forest. He could feel the cold sweat trickling down his face. The tiger was standing close now, so close Toly could feel its pulsing breath. The vibrant black and orange of the tiger’s coat hurt his eyes. It couldn’t see him; only the tiger’s keen sense of smell told it Toly was there. Toly waited for just the right moment and then in an instant, with one smooth liquid movement, Toly found himself mounted on the beast’s back. The tiger was growing more obedient now; Toly felt its warm fur beneath him. “Run!” Toly told the tiger and it ran. Ran fast over crannies and ditches, carrying Toly further and further away from the city. Toly felt the wind ruffling his hair, violently blowing in his eyes, forcing tears to form. He had done it! He was riding the tiger. He was the conqueror. He was . . . “Toly!” his mother’s voice reached him as though it was coming from somewhere far away. “Wake up! It’s nearly seven o’clock!” The beautiful forest, the mighty tiger, the smell of the moist soil; all disintegrated as if they never were and Toly drowsily opened his eyes. “Aw, go on, Mum, five more minutes,” he pleaded desperately. Anything to win him more time. “No!” his mother retorted firmly, and left the room. Toly’s sheets were cold with sweat, but he knew that he had done it; he had ridden the tiger! “Run!” Toly told the tiger and it ran Toly detested school; no, he feared it. Most of all he feared Derek, the school’s bully. He feared him with a fear hard to describe, a fear that engulfed him like a giant wave, a fear that made his knees give way and his stomach tense up at the mere mention of Derek’s name. By rights Derek should have been a stupid lug whose fist did most of his bidding. But it wasn’t right, nothing was ever right. Derek was cunning, calculating and strong—he was a tiger. Yet the fear Toly felt for the bully and the tiger were different as could be. The fear of the tiger was invigorating, it caused every vein to thrill and stand to attention. The fear of the tiger was rewarding, it made Toly feel a strange sense of achievement. Made him proud. Yet the fear of Derek made Toly feel none of those things. It made him want to crouch down really small and hide somewhere in a dark hole where no one could find him. Ever. Derek’s bullying was usually nothing the school considered “serious.” It was just a shove here or a nasty comment there. But it was those small cruelties that hurt Toly more than anything. His days were spent trying to keep out of Derek’s way, being careful never to leave the watchful eye of the teacher for the wide expanse of the playground. A dangerous place—Derek’s domain. Derek knew the playground like the tiger knew his jungle. He ruled it, and all those who ventured out into it were at his mercy. All day Toly stayed on guard, tense and scared. Jumping at the slam of a door, at heavy footsteps. The only escape from his fear was the daydreams of the tiger. Toly knew they weren’t real, of course he did, but in them he was always so brave. The hero. The winner. In real life he was nothing—just a small scared boy. Toly knew it couldn’t go on like this. Something deep inside, which was as much part of him as the daydreams of the tiger, told him that one day he would have to make a stand for himself. It wouldn’t be easy . . . Toly was waiting. Waiting and watching. He wasn’t hiding behind the grasses anymore. He was standing in the open expanse of the jungle. Heart pounding, faster, faster, faster. One movement and he stood upright in front of the tiger. Not shuffling, not lowering his gaze, just upright. Toly stood upright. His heart pounding, blood rushing through his veins. He looked his enemy in the eye. It took nearly all of Toly’s strength to do that. Suddenly he wasn’t afraid. Derek’s commanding expression was gone. Instead, a rather confused one appeared. A smile crept up on Toly’s face. A very small one at first. Then bigger and bigger, until his whole face was creased in a massive grin. Derek looked uneasy. He lowered his head and shuffled into the school building, defeated. His mates followed, teetering, their respect for Derek considerably shaken during the last ten minutes. Toly just stood in the middle of the playground in amazement, unaware of all the students around him beaming in appreciation. Toly was unsure what exactly he had done, but he knew one thing; this time he had ridden the tiger—for real! Vera Litvin, 13London, England Haylee Collins, 13Kingsport, Tennessee
