Now William took up the Book and began to look back through the pages.
At last he found what he wanted, “Here it is,” he said.
“A girl called Lucy Ronald was accused of bullying younger children” “Yes, I remember,” said Miss Belle. “We found out the cause of her bullying. Read it, William, and see what it was. It may help us with Robert.” William read it quickly to himself. Then he looked up.
“It says here that it was found out that Lucy had been an only girl for seven years, and then she had twin baby brothers brought to live with her in her nursery,” he said, “And her mother and father gave all their attention to them, and so did the nurse, so that Lucy felt left out. She hated the babies because she thought that her parents gave them the love they bad always given to her.” “Go on,” said Miss Belle, “Well, she couldn’t hurt the babies because they were never left alone,” said William. “So she worked off her feelings of dislike and jealousy on other children-she always chose the smaller ones because they couldn’t hit back, and because they were small like her baby brothers.” “And I suppose the habit grew and grew until she couldn’t stop it,” said Rita, interested. “Is that how bullies are made, Miss Belle?” “It’s one of the commonest ways,” said the Headmistress. “But now, we must find out if Robert’s fault is caused in the same way.” The whole School had been listening with great interest to this discussion. Everybody knew what a bully was, and nobody liked bullies at all. The children looked at Robert to see if he was listening too, He was. He gazed at William, and didn’t miss a word.
“Well,” said Mr. Johns, “we’ll find out if Robert has anything to say now, Robert, have you any brothers or sisters?” “I’ve two brothers, five years and four years younger than I am,” answered Robert, “Did you like them when they were small?” asked William, “No, I didn’t,” said Robert, “They took up everybody’s time, and I didn’t have a look in. Then I got ill, and nm body seemed to bother about me as they used to do, and I knew it was because of James and John, my little brothers. Well, when I got better, I just seemed to hate little children, and I began to pinch them and be horrid to them, I pretended they were James and John, I couldn’t do it to them because nobody would let me, and I would have got into such a row.” “And so a bully was made!” said Mr. Johns. “You made war on other children because you couldn’t get rid of the two small brothers whom you thought took your place at home! Poor Robert! You make yourself much more unhappy than you make others.” “Well, people have called me a bully ever since 1 was about five,” said Robert sullenly. “So I thought I was one-something that couldn’t be helped and that I couldn’t stop!” “Well, it can be helped, and you can stop it yourself,” said Miss Best, “You see, Robert, once you understand how a bad habit began, and how it grows, you also understand how to tackle it. Now that we know why you became a bully, I am sure that none of us really blames you. It was just unlucky for you. You aren’t really a bully- you are just an ordinary boy who took up bullying because you were jealous of two small brothers. You can stop any time, and change to something that is really you!” “I remember being awfully jealous of my little sister,” said Belinda. “I know how Robert felt.” “So do I,” said Kenneth, “It’s a horrid feeling.” “Well, it’s quite a natural one,” said Miss Belie, “Most of us grow out of it, but some don’t. Robert just hasn’t- but he will now that he sees clearly what has happened. It isn’t anything very dreadful, Robert. But doesn’t it seem rather silly to you that a boy of your age should be teasing and bullying Peter and Leslie just because years ago a feeling of jealousy grew up in your heart for your two young brothers? It’s time you put all that behind you, don’t you think so?” “Yes, it is,” said Robert, feeling as if a light had suddenly been lit in the darkness of his mind. “I’m not really a bully. I want to be kind to people and animals, I didn’t know why I was the opposite-but now that I do know it will be easy to change. I feel different about it already. I’m sorry I was so beastly to other children all these years. But I’m afraid no one will trust me now -they won’t help me!” “Yes, we will, Robert,” said Rita earnestly. “That is the great thing about Whyteleafe School-that we are all willing to help one another. There isn’t a boy or girl in this school who would refuse to help you, or to give you a chance to show that you are quite different from what you have seemed.” “What about Elizabeth?” said Robert at once.
“Well-we’ll ask her,” said Rite, “Elizabeth, whet do you think about it?” Elizabeth got up. Her mind was in a whirl! So Robert the bully wasn’t really a bully–he was just a boy who had got a wrong idea about himself because of something that had happened years ago. It seemed verv strange. Was it true? She didn’t believe that Robert would change! And what about all those horrid teaks that had been played on her and on Jenny9 “Well-” said Elizabeth and stopped. “Well-of course I’ll help if Robert wants to. After all, you all helped me last term when I was dreadful. But I can’t forgive him for playing those mean tricks on me and Jenny. I think he should be punished for those.” “I tell you I didn’t do them!” burst out Robert, “Somebody must have done them,” said Rita, “If Robert didn’t do them, who was it? Is the boy or girl brave enough to own up7” Nobody said a word Kathleen went red but looked down at the floor. She had begun to feel rasher dreadful now that Robert had been accused of her tricks.
“William and Rita, you didn’t believe me before when I complained about Robert,” said Elizabeth. “And I was right. It isn’t fair of you not to believe rue row. I’m sure I’m right.” The Jury and Judges talked together. They found it very hard to decide anything. Then William spoke.
“Well, Elizabeth, you may be right. We did not believe you last time-and this time we will not believe Robert. We will try to make things fair between you by saying that you may play in the match to-morrow, instead of Robert. Nora says that you were disappointed that you were not chosen.” “Oh, thank you!” said Elizabeth. Robert stood up. He looked unhappy.
“Very well,” he said. “I quite see that it’s my turn to give way to Elizabeth this time, as she had to apologise to me last time when I told untruths. But I do say again and again that I didn’t play those tricks.” “We won’t say any more about that,” said William, “Now, Robert, we’ve been talking about how we can help you. Mr. Johns says that the best thing we can do for you is to let you take care of something or somebody, so that it’s easy for kindness to take the place of unkindness, You love horses, don’t you?” “Oh yes!” said Robert eagerly.
“Well, although your form are not allowed to have any thing to do with the horses except ride them, we are go ing to make another rule just for you,” said William.
“You will choose two of the horses and make them your – special care. You will feed them, water them, and groom them. When your class goes riding, you may choose one of the younger children to ride the second horse, and help him all you can.” Robert listened as if he could not believe his ears, Good gracious! Choose two horses for his own special pets- look after them each day! This was a thing he had always longed to do, for of all animals the boy loved horses best loved them with all his heart, He felt as if he could weep for joy. He didn’t care about not playing in the match now! He didn’t care about anything. He felt a different boy.
“Thank you awfully, William,” said Robert in a rather choky voice. “You can trust me to take care of the horses-and you can bet I’ll choose those kids that I’ve teased, to take out riding first!” “We thought you’d do that.” said Rita, pleased. “Let us know at the next Meeting how you’ve got on, Robert, We shall all want to know” “I’ll go riding with you. Robert!” called a small boy’s voice. It was Peter, He had listened hard to everything that had been said, and in his generous heart he wanted to help Robert. He also felt a little guilty-for he remembered how once lie had been jealous of his small sister and had smacked her when no one was looking. Good gracious, he might have turned into an unhappy bully like Robert! “The Meeting must really break up now,” said Miss Belle, “It has taken a long time and it is past the bed~ time of the younger ones. But I think we all feel tonight that we have learnt something big-and once again you children have the chance of helping one of yourselves. It is grand to be helped-but it is even grander to help!” “The Meeting is dismissed!” cried William, and knocked on the table with his hammer, The children filed out, rather serious, but happy and satisfied, A difficult problem had been solved, and they were pleased.