A story poem which could be retold as a regular story, especially for Bully-Prevention Month in October.
By Andrea Antico

In BUSTER THE BULLY, you will understand that there’s hope for a young bully with a low self-esteem. You will see how a tornado, a smart, kind kid, and a safe, supportive school environment can change the way a bully acts and feels. This story poem will promote class and family discussions about bullies. References about tornadoes and bullying provide additional resources for teachers, parents and young readers.

In a great neighborhood was a great school
Where children lived by the old Golden Rule.
A cool, little school that was clean, that was neat.
The students and staff just couldn’t be beat.
The students had everything students might need
And they were all happy, quite happy indeed

Until Buster the Bully arrived on the scene,
Tough-talking and terrible, menacing and mean!
“I’m the ruler,” said Buster, “Of all that I see.
In my new kingdom, you’ll take orders from me.
The place that I came from, a hole-in-the-wall
Offered no action, no adventures, no mall.
I’m new to this school, but you‘ll jump when I call.
You’re under my power, in class and the hall.”

Big Buster the Bully lifted his hand
And Buster the Bully shrieked a command.
He ordered a small student to carry his pack,
Filched candy and fruit from another’s lunch sack.
“All mine,” Buster cried, “Oh, the things I now rule.
I’m king of the playground. I’m king of this school.”

Then, one brave little girl stood up and she spoke,
“We’re telling our teacher; this must be a joke!”
“This is dead serious, what I’m saying is true.
Spreading lies about me is NOT what to do.
If you decide that you’ll be a snitch or a tattle,
You’ll find that you’re in a long, losing battle!
I am the one who can create misery for all.
I’m wicked and wise. I’m a smart know-it-all.”

The students filed quietly into the school.
No one mentioned Buster and his new rule.
Why the long faces, what on earth is the matter?
The teachers heard none of the usual chatter.
The students said nothing, nothing at all
While Buster the Bully prowled through the hall.

He was sly and as sneaky as sneaky could be,
Making rude gestures that the staff couldn’t see.
Buster the Bully was the master of the school.
Buster the Bully broke each and ev’ry rule.
Out on the playground, he extorted kids’ money.
When a student got hurt, he thought it quite funny.

He was mean to his classmates, he “dissed” his teachers.
He threw trash on the floor and gum on the bleachers.
His manners were awful. He often would swear,
But he was Buster the Bully and he didn’t care.
He wrote on his desk, and he pulled a girl’s hair.
If the teacher turned ‘round, he jumped back in his chair.
He’d snatch someone’s homework, steal a password,
Then, he’d open a kid’s email and call him a nerd.

Somehow the students survived the school day,
Silently plotting how to make Buster pay.
Just before dismissal, the principal’s voice boomed.
“Students, all students, you must stay in your room!”
Buster the Bully jumped up and he fled.
“I’m going home. I don’t care what she said.”

He raced out of the room and ran down the hall,
Bumped into a teacher, causing her fall.
She stood up and caught him as he tried to flee.
“Did you forget to say, sorry, please excuse me?
Whoever you are, you must not run around.”
She grabbed him roughly and plunked him right down.
“You’ll stay in my classroom and sit by the wall.
Keep your mouth closed and say nothing at all.
There’s foul weather outside, haven’t you heard?
Sit by these children. From you, not a word!”

Buster had never studied weather or physical science.
With none of these subjects was he in compliance.
The air sudd’nly grew still and a tornado appeared.
Buster the Bully was scared; that funnel he feared.
He trembled and shook, he began to sniffle and cry.
“It’s ok,” said a young boy, “We’re not going to die.”
“Are you sh-sh-sure?” stuttered Buster as he opened one eye.
“What’s happening out there, way up in the sky?”

“We learned about strange weather just yesterday.”
“Omigosh”, sputtered Buster. “What did you say?”
That smart little kid took Buster’s rough hand.
“I’ll make it real simple so you’ll understand.”
Buster the Bully was too frightened to be mad.
He moved even closer to hear the bright lad.

“Tornadoes happen here, usually in spring
What horrible havoc these weird storms can bring!
They’re created by thunderstorms or a super big cell.
Whether they’ll ever touch down is so-o-o hard to tell.
Tornadoes can travel five times as fast as a car,
They pick up large objects, flinging them far.
The winds are quite strong, clouds are real dark.
Stay away from all trees. Get out of the park.

A basement without windows is a good place to hide.
Get into a building. You’ll be safer inside.
The teacher will tell us when it’s time to go out,
When the rain, wind, and hail are no longer about.”
Soon, the tornado disappeared, the sky was again blue.
“Thank you,” said Buster. “Now, I know what to do”.

He walked home alone, not feeling so smart
I have homework to do. I know I should start.
I’ll go to the library to check out a book.
At my science assignments, I’ll take a long look.
I’ll behave in class and be nice to everyone.
I’ll know when to be quiet and when to have fun.

And that was the end of the bully’s short reign.
Buster, the ex-bully, started using his brain.
He climbed down from his holier-than-thou attitude
And became a good student, a hard-thinking dude.
He listened to his teachers and did his classwork.
From reading and writing he no longer did shirk.

He made friends with all students and faculty, too.
When someone needed help, he knew what to do.
Buster the Bully had a big change of heart.
He’s kind and considerate, respectful and smart.
And the students, of course, all the students are free
To reflect on this chapter in their school’s history.