LOVE AND LIFE NETWORK

Life's waves washed me ashore, strange lands to explore.     The hand of fellowship you offered took advantage of me.     For I was only a stranger.         My voice they disregarded,  my silence they gave words.    My good intentions they judged, my best effort they condemned.               For I was only a stranger.        My ease they troubled, my quiet chuckles they probed.       I was cheated, for they were the accuser and judge.         I became their mirror, yet they looked not upon me.         I longed for home, for I was only a stranger....

As my wandering gaze fell on Ali and his friend, trickles of their words filtered to my ears amidst the noise around and my heart sank a bit. Lest Ali sees me staring blankly at him, I  turned my eyes and wondered how a boy a little over 10 years had so much confidence. He made the little ones scared and they avoided him except for Malik who was by far the biggest guy in our Primary Six class. Having bruised a few noses and mouths of his peers, Ali was the terror of the class. He would threaten to beat anyone - friend or foe- who annoyed him, except for Malik whom gave Ali that look that said "WATCH IT" and it made him stay put around him, since he knew this was more than he could chew. The fact that he was a bully who was also intelligent made everyone avoid him, but he still had a way of coming after someone.         One spring morning, as we all filed into class from assembly, it was strange to notice Ali's seat empty. The class felt lighter and happ...