Victoria, a 6-year-old girl with radiant brown skin and bright, curious eyes, sits quietly at her desk, her hands folded and her new pencils lined up perfectly. She watches as classmates giggle in small groups—some glance at her with friendly curiosity, while others whisper behind cupped hands. The teacher, stern and cold, scans the room before abruptly tossing a worksheet toward Victoria. Mrs. Braun, the first grade teacher, towers above, her expression unreadable. "Do your work, Victoria," she snaps, her tone sharper than the autumn wind outside. The Bell rings for recess.
During recess, Victoria tries to join a group near the slide, hoping to find kindness. Suddenly, four boys—sticks in hand, faces twisted with mischief—chase after her, their taunts stinging as much as the chilly air. Anna, a gentle girl with shoulder length hair, stands in their path, arms outstretched. "Leave her alone! She just wants to play," she pleads, but the boys only laugh and run faster. Victoria sprints, her heart pounding, until she finds refuge in the branches of a sturdy old tree. She clings to the rough bark, watching the playground below.
Halfway down, Victoria loses her grip; her feet slip, and she tumbles, landing hard on her right arm. A sharp, searing pain shoots through her, and she screams, the sound slicing through the cool air. Mrs. Braun stands nearby, her gaze icy and unmoved. "Oh God, Victoria. Hurry up," she says, leading the rest of the class inside. The kind girls look back anxiously, but Mrs. Braun forbids them from helping.
Cradling her aching arm, Victoria decides to walk to the front office for help, slowly but as fast as she could. The office seemed like a 3 mile walk, but it was only about a 3 min walk. Victoria pushes through the heavy door, tears streaming down her cheeks. Ms. Richter, the school secretary, looks up with concern, her eyes soft behind her glasses. "Oh, sweetheart, come here. What happened?" she asks gently, guiding Victoria to a chair. Victoria hesitates, fear from Mrs. Braun's earlier threats tightening her throat.
"You’re safe with me, Victoria. You can tell me everything. I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you," Ms. Richter reassures her. Victoria was a bit nervous and scared, because of the threats her classroom teacher made to her. Victoria was often reminded by her teacher that she favored blond hair and blue eyed children. The teacher also said, what is said in the class stays in the class. Victoria felt neglected. Victoria told the whole story to the secretary about her being bullied by the boys with sticks during recess and how the teacher left her on the playground. The secretary called Victoria's mother. Victoria's mother and uncle came to the school immediately.
Victoria’s mother, tall and strong, bursts through the doors, followed by Victoria’s Uncle , whose warm smile melts away Victoria's fear. "We’re here, baby," she whispers, embracing her tightly. "Let’s get you taken care of, brave girl," her Uncle says, lifting her gently. They rush to the hospital, where doctors place a snug cast on her broken arm. Victoria finds comfort in their love, knowing she is protected.
Mrs. Braun is removed from her job after many stories of mistreatment come to light. Other brown-skinned children, inspired by Victoria, bravely share their experiences. Victoria stands tall, her cast a badge of her courage, her family’s arms around her. "I learned to be strong and brave, and to always tell someone you trust about your problems," she tells her friends. This day taught Victoria to treat others with kindness, knowing her heart is braver than any storm.
