Once upon a time...

In a faraway land

there was a village named

Coarsegoldia

The people of Coarsegoldia were happy, peaceful people of every shape, size, and color.

One day, a monster stomped into the village! He was so big that the earth shook whenever he walked, and the things he said were so mean.......

little pipsqueaks. Give me all your food!

You're all so tiny...you must have tiny brains, too!

No one is as smart as me

You have to do whatever I say

You're all so ugly

Get out of my way or I'll knock you down!

The people of Coarsegoldia had never heard someone say such angry, hurtful things, and they ran away in fear!

Day after day the monster returned and terrorized the villagers. He demanded food, hurled insults, and swatted at them with his claws if they didn't give him what he wanted.

Finally, the people of Coarsegoldia had had enough. They held a meeting and discussed how they could rid themselves of this monster.

"Let's drive him back into the forest"

said the Captain of the Archers!

Then, a calm voice began to speak.

"I know we are scared, but violence is not our way," said The Wise Old Owl.

"We are a peaceful people, and we cannot allow the monster to change us."

"Let's put our heads together and figure out why the monster is bullying us."

The people made a list:

Maybe...

His parents don't pay attention to him

He has brothers/sisters who bully him

His parent is a bully

He is lonely

He is jealous

He is afraid of others who are different, so he has to act tough.

He doesn't believe in himself

"That is an excellent list," said the King. " What we can be sure of is that he has not learned kindness, compassion or respect. How can we show him what he has missed?"

And so the people came up with a plan...

The next day when the monster returned...

The villagers were waiting patiently in the center of town

The monster began his usual attacks but something was wrong!!

They were all waiting for something...

None of the villagers was running away!

There was no crying

There was no sobbing

Then the King began to speak...

"Mr. Monster," he said, "can you tell me why you are behaving this way? We, the people of Coarsegoldia, ask you to stop this behavior. We do not deserve to be treated this way. Can you imagine how you would feel if someone you loved was treated like this? We can tell that you are hurting, and we would like to help you feel better. We want to be your friends."