A Bullying Story

Dane and Kim were walking home together, talking about a TV programme. A few
other kids were walking a bit behind.
Suddenly Luke and Delvin appeared, with Karl just behind them. Luke shouted,
‘Well, look who it is. Don’t you know by now that this is where the real lads hang
out? What makes you think some stuck-up little keener like you has a right to use
this path?’
The other kids stopped to watch.
Dane looked worried and muttered to Kim, ‘Oh no, not again’. He tried to walk
past with his eyes down.
Luke and Delvin blocked his way, with Karl behind them. They started shouting
insults at him, getting worse and worse until they were getting at Dane’s Mum
because she ‘talks posh’. Karl occasionally added an insult which creased everyone
up.
A group of children stopped to watch.
Then Kim spoke up. ‘Listen – he just wants to go home. You know there isn’t
another way.’ Karl raised an eyebrow and Luke turned on Kim.
‘What’s it got to do with you, Chinky?’ Delvin looked down.
Kim kept amazingly cool. ‘I want to go home too – so just let us past.’
‘Ooooooh. And why would I want to let a couple of stupid-boys come near me?’ said
Luke.
Then Delvin spoke. ‘I think your mate’s trainers look a bit uncomfortable. If he
asks me nicely I might take them off his hands.’
‘Off his feet, you mean,’ chipped in Karl. They all laughed.
‘Yeah, ask him nicely, keener.’ Delvin and Luke lunged at Dane and pushed him to
the ground, forcing him to say the words, ‘Please take my trainers.’ A tear rolled
down his cheek.
Some of those who had stopped to watch the show were laughing, some smiling
nervously. A couple shook their heads and muttered while others moved on as if
nothing was happening.
They rolled Dane over and pulled both his trainers off. Then they threw them to
each other, laughing, smelled them and pulled faces. ‘Get mummy to wash your
feet next time, keener. I don’t like my new shoes to whiff.’
They ran off, giving each other high-fives. ‘More fun tomorrow then Karl?’ said
Delvin. ‘We’ll see,’ said Karl, smiling to himself.

In your comments please consider how you think Dane is feeling and try to explain what Kim tried to do!