_{picture from a friend's mobile}

On his way back from school, he stumbled on some of his street thugs who blocked him. They asked him certain questions that seemed unreasonable but the boy kept mute. These people that blocked him aren't his mate. They are much taller, huge, sturdy, fierce and rough that he is.

He was all alone with 5 fierce looking guys who surrounded him and started turning him around. One loaded him slap from behind. As he turned, the one in front snatched his phone from him. He was defenceless because he couldn't beat them. They dealt with him mercilessly for not replying to their call the previous day.

He went home in pains. Bully? Are you a bully? You find pleasure in making others cry either through words or physically? Have you experienced such before? How was the experience?

Right from when I was young till when I was still in high school, I've experienced bully in many ways but there's always a saviour in most cases and in some cases, I end up in pains or tears. I'll cite an instance though.

When I returned late from school on a Tuesday, I took to trekking down home as I wasn't on funds to board a vehicle that would do the job. On my way down the lonely street, I kept to my strides but didn't have it in mind that I would ever be blocked as I've never before.

On reaching a particular bending, I saw some bad guys seated in a corner. I was just do focused as I never had such negative thoughts in mind. As I walked past them, they called me. I was surprised because I don't owe them anything. I pretended to be deaf. They called again and I turned knowing it was serious. As I turned, I asked 'Me"? One of them said, No your grandfather.

I then passed ignorantly and doubled my strides. Unknown to me it was planned. Two guys came from behind and two in front. I couldn't shout as it would be futile. I maintained posture and had this fierce look. I then asked them what's the meaning of this and what I was owing them. They started making fun of me. One of them hit my head hard from behind. As I turned to express my anger, they started massaging me, looking for what they'll pick.

Luckily for me, my phone wasn't handy as I left it to charge. I tried self defense but that led to them using the sticks on them to express their anger. They took the 500 naira that was with me, leaving me crying on the street. My face, mouth and hands were swollen from the hit. It was a terrible experience receiving hits from hands that have bended iron. I was left in despair. This is just a physical bullying

Verbally, I've not been bullied no doubt because I was terrible when it comes to that. Anyone that tries bullying me with insults, I also repay back without wasting time and I'll make sure the starter feel bad about himself.

Bullying most times come unexpectedly while at times, we trigger this bullying either involving directly or indirectly. I'm not a parent but my parents are exemplaries. They taught us to always avoid trouble in anyway as this at times brings bullies to us. When people insult us, we shouldn't either report or keep quiet and not trying to return back.

Pexel
If we do, we may end up being bullied physically. I can remember when I got bullied by my seniors in school because of refusing a tedious task. That was how serious it was I must admit. Anyways, keeping up with what my parents told me about

• not showing off in school
• Piping low
• no involvement in physical or verbal abuse etc.

There's a video I watched lately that says beat a bully without using your fist. It means in a situation where probably you're unique for something and probably made fun of everytime, can you stop these abuse? Yes. If you're experiencing such, here are remedies to your situation.

• Avoiding people or places that Invites bullying is one practical way. If you noticed there's a particular person always bullying you, you can choose to avoid him or crossing path with him if possible. Walk in groups as this will help a lot. You won't be singlehandedly bullied if you're with clicks of friends.

Pexel

• You can as well confront the bully and confidently tell him to stop his or her act. This sometimes make them feel you know your place and worth. You can also tell on the bully do he'll be sternly warned against bullying you on a daily. That's if this bullying happens in school.

So these are a few major ways we can deal with bullying as retaliating isn't always the best in most situations. You can get yourself stabbed in the process or even killed. So in as much as bullying isn't a good practice, verbally or physically, we should avoid direct exposure or things that attract these bullying or if we're bullies, picture yourself in your bully shoes. This and more will help you a lot if you're facing bullies regularly.

I invite @nsijoro, @whizzbro4eva and @inspiracion

You can actually best them without using your fist. Don't keep calm. Do something but in a mild way. The bullies love seeing people they bully being mute. That's it.