This write-up offers guidance and inspiration (based on a true story) for young people who have to lead others – even when the latter include big bullies or aggressive personalities. Parents keen to equip their kids to successfully handle inevitable setbacks (and interpersonal conflicts) in life will also find it a useful read.
Quick Take Away: We were in the final months leading to the school certificate exams. I was trying to catch up in class, after serving a 2 week suspension for abusing my priviledges as a prefect. However, reports of the disruptive behaviour of a notorious bully – called Saheed(not real name) – kept bothering me. So, I came up with a plan to check his excesses. One day, we had a serious face-off that eventually got him sent away on indefinite suspension.
Unknown to me however, he carefully plotted his "revenge" for weeks afterwards. And when – as the holidays be
gan – I escorted a school mate travelling home (off the premises) to the train station, he and his armed thug-like friends came after me!