Bullying is a massive, often disguised dilemma that affects many children.
Though there are plenty of stories, PSAs, and verbal warnings reprimanding those who pick on others, it's still a constant threat in classrooms, neighborhoods, and playgrounds.
Many can't understand the lasting impact bullying can leave because they themselves have never been picked on, like these men interviewing internet abuse victims.
Though hurtful words don't leave a mark or a scar like physical harm does, the pain that they can cause can be just as severe internally.
One Birmingham teacher exemplified this point perfectly through an amazing exercise that she carried out in her classroom.
With the help of two apples, she taught her students that harsh, unkind words may not affect their victims externally, but can tear them up internally.
And since posting about her lesson on Facebook, her story has gone wildly viral. Nearly 200,000 people have shared her post, and even more have come forth to congratulate and support the thoughtful teacher and her impactful lesson.
After reading her touching words and clever technique, it's easy to see why it's become such an internet sensation.
Scroll down to read her post, and let us know your thoughts on bullying in the comments below!
[H/T: Mashable]
"Today in one of our classes I introduced the children to two apples.
"The children didn't know this, but before the class I had repeatedly dropped one of the apples on the floor. You couldn't tell, both apples looked perfect.
"We talked about the apples and the children described how both apples looked the same; both were red, were of similar size and looked juicy enough to eat."
"I picked up the apple I'd dropped on the floor and started to tell the children how I disliked this apple, that I thought it was disgusting, it was a horrible color, and the stem was just too short.
"I told them that because I didn't like it, I didn't want them to like it either, so they should call it names, too.
"Some children looked at me like I was insane, but we passed the apple around the circle calling it names.
"'You're a smelly apple,' 'I don't even know why you exist,' 'you've probably got worms inside you,' etc.
"We really pulled this poor apple apart. I actually started to feel sorry for the little guy."
"We then passed another apple around and started to say kind words to it, 'You're a lovely apple,' 'Your skin is beautiful,' 'What a beautiful color you are,' etc.
"I then held up both apples, and again, we talked about the similarities and differences, there was no change, both apples still looked the same.
"I then cut the apples open.
"The apple we'd been kind to was clear, fresh and juicy inside.
"The apple we'd said unkind words to was bruised and all mushy inside."
"I think there was a lightbulb moment for the children immediately.
"They really got it, what we saw inside that apple, the bruises, the mush and the broken bits is what is happening inside every one of us when someone mistreats us with their words or actions."
"When people are bullied, especially children, they feel horrible inside and sometimes don't show or tell others how they are feeling.
"If we hadn't have cut that apple open, we would never have known how much pain we had caused it.
"I shared my own experience of suffering someone's unkind words last week. On the outside I looked OK, I was still smiling.
"But, on the inside someone had caused me a lot of pain with their words and I was hurting."
"Unlike an apple, we have the ability to stop this from happening.
"We can teach children that it's not OK to say unkind things to each other and discuss how it makes others feel.
"We can teach our children to stand up for each other and to stop any form of bullying, just as one little girl did today when she refused to say unkind words to the apple.
"More and more hurt and damage happens inside if nobody does anything to stop the bullying. Let's create a generation of kind, caring children.
"The tongue has no bones, but is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words."
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