When Joe decided to grow his hair long, his classmates started teasing him endlessly. Even Mr. Cooper, one of his teachers with old-fashioned ideas, joined in and encouraged the mockery. But everything changed when Joe’s father found out and did something no one expected.
On the first day of school, as Joe walked into the classroom, Mr. Cooper sneered, “What’s with the ponytail? Trying to be a little girl?” The entire class burst into laughter. Joe felt his face flush with embarrassment, but he stayed determined. He had a reason for growing his hair, and no amount of teasing would change that.
Joe had started growing his hair the previous year, and during the summer break, no one really noticed. But now, back in school, his long ponytail was impossible to miss, and the teasing grew worse each day.
The jokes and laughter followed him wherever he went, and Joe would come home in tears. He didn’t tell his parents what was happening. Instead, he locked himself in the bathroom and cried, hoping that the bullying would eventually stop.
One afternoon, after art class, Joe was in tears again. His art teacher, Mrs. Burns, noticed. She was new to the school and approached Joe with kindness in her voice.
“Joe, what’s going on? Why are you growing your hair so long?” she asked gently.