Rowing the Bus - A Journey of Self-Awareness

As an elementary school boy, Paul Logan was forced to "row" the daily school bus. He was taunted and teased to and from school and felt ashamed and alone. Some people are naturally empathetic, others must learn the skill of empathy. Even though Empathy is learned, Paul learns to be empathetic because he finally stands up to the aggressor, tell him to not bother the young boy and takes a slap to the chest.



When Paul was young, he was ashamed that he had to wear second hand clothing, thick glasses and spoke with an impediment. He was picked on daily by the bully kids. They would tease him and Paul was passive and did not react. It bothered him deeply inside and he wished he stood up to the bully kids.





A year later, Paul notices a new boy is being picked on. It is no longer Paul who is the brunt of attacks, but another boy who walks with a gait. Paul befriends the new boy and it is noticed by the bullies that Paul has a friend. The bullies decided to pick on Paul a last time and question Paul about his new friend. Because Paul was afraid, Paul denied and friendship between the new boy and himself. As Paul's new friend witnessed the cowardly act of denial, Paul felt extremely guilty for denying the friendship. The boy eventually moves to a new school, but Paul carried the guilt with him through to his teenage years.





As Paul became a teenager, he became taller and physically stronger. He continued to "row" the bus with the other kids everyday. Once he saw another kid being harassed he stood up to the harasser and told him not to bother the young child. Paul displays his act of empathy because he was once the bus "rower" like the new freshman. Paul was sure the new kid would not want to be teased or bothered as Paul was when he was the "new kid". Although the harasser slapped Paul on his chest for his remark, the harasser backed down and did not bother the young boy.





The most important reason Paul learns to be empathetic is he was once picked on as a child. It was not until later that had the courage to stand up to his aggressor. He finally learns that he knows what it is like to be picked on and steps in to interrupt the bully from picking on the "new kid".





In conclusion, although empathy is learned, Paul learns to be empathetic for two main reasons. First, Paul finally stands up to the bullies and did not back down. But most importantly, Paul asks the bullies to not bother the young boy because Paul knows what it is like to be the victim of ruthless bullying. This was a journey of self-awarenss for Paul and he learned to be empathetic.