Annie's Pain

Annie was in Grade 6 when she moved into her new school.

She was clever, pretty and good natured. She was very popular. Everyone wanted to be her friend.

Then she got sick. It wasn’t dangerous, but she was forced to stay home for several weeks recuperating. While she was away, things changed.

Tracy, who had been the most popular girl in the class before Annie’s arrival, had been secretly annoyed by how many people liked her, as well as by Annie’s excellent marks. While Annie was away, Tracy plotted. She told stories about what Annie had said, and gave everything a nasty twist. She mimicked Annie - “Such a good girl!” - she said with a sneer.

It culminated in an “Annie campaign” - what’s wrong with Annie. Soon the group had grown, and they were all waiting anxiously for Annie to return.

When she did, everything was different. It was like a war zone. She expected everyone to welcome her back. Instead, she found that her speech and comments were cruelly imitated.

“Annie the goodie goodie,” they said. “So perfect. Aren’t I wonderful!” Friends stayed out of it, because Tracy was not to be crossed. Annie found herself sitting on her own, isolated in misery.

By the end of the first week, as the abuse campaign swung into action, she was having stomach cramps. By week two, she was saying she was too sick to go to school. She was bursting into tears at anything.

When the other girls started passing notes, she told one of the teachers. Tracy and her cronies were called in. A note was produced. There was some crying. Everyone promised to be good.

But after a short lull, it started again. This time it was even more sneaky. And it was just as painful.

Annie’s parents by now knew what was going on. They considered their options. They asked Annie what she wanted.

“I want to go somewhere else,” she said. “I don’t trust anyone anymore.” At her new school, Annie found a friend. She had some counselling, and she relaxed. Things got better.

But the bullies had won. They often do.

Much of the time, bullying happens away from teachers’ prying eyes. No sticks and stones - but words can break - if not your bones then certainly your spirit.

This recount is based on a real case (though the names have been changed). The real “Annie” came close to having a nervous breakdown - and it all happened at a private girls school. For other articles on bullying, see The Hidden Hurt and Bullying Research, and check out Happy Schools (a complete anti-bullying resource for children up to Grade 4) at http://www.ziptales.com/happyschools/swf/happyschools.swf.