“Mommy, I don’t want to go to school today!” I whimpered.
“The kids are so mean! They’re always bullying me, calling me names, and laughing at me!” Having said my piece, I pulled my blanket back up over my head and tried to stop trembling.
My mother gently peeled back my blanket and gave me that reassuring smile that had calmed me down so many times before. “There, there, dear,” she said soothingly. “It won’t be that bad. Just remember that you are rubber and they are glue. Whenever they say mean things, just let the words bounce off you and stick to them. You’re a big boy, and I know you can do this. Besides, you’re the teacher.”