Summary
'Taking the Bully by the Horns' is a supplementary prose lesson from the 7th Standard English textbook. It addresses the important social issue of bullying among children, using the story of three classmates -- Meena, Anu, and Ajay -- as a relatable example. Ajay constantly makes fun of Anu's short height by calling her nicknames and patting her head. Anu, who is already self-conscious, feels hurt but stays silent. Meena sometimes laughs along with Ajay but also feels sorry for Anu.
The lesson explains that bullying occurs when someone purposely makes fun of another person or forces them to do things they do not want to do. It explores why bullies behave the way they do -- often because they have a low opinion of themselves and want to feel better by putting others down. The text also introduces the concept of peer pressure, explaining how children sometimes do wrong things just because they do not want to be the odd one out in a group.
The lesson highlights the harmful effects of bullying on victims, including loss of confidence, loneliness, health problems, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, and even developing aggressive behaviour themselves. It strongly advocates for empathy as the key to stopping bullying and encourages children to inform a responsible adult, refuse to support bullies, and include the targeted person in their activities. The text concludes with the message that reporting bullying contributes to a safer and more peaceful world.