“Atara Tratner. I’m surprised at you. I’m sure your mother isn’t going to be happy to hear about this”

As told to Perel Stone

Thursday, February 11

Vori slipped a tube of toothpaste from her knapsack into her pocket and invited me to join her at recess. I couldn’t imagine what we’d do with the toothpaste, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.

The teachers who don’t have recess duty usually go to the teachers’ room, so most of the classrooms were empty. I followed Vori down the hallway. Walking very quietly, she squeezed a line of toothpaste on the handle of every classroom door.

After the bell rang at the end of recess, we heard shrieks coming from up and down the hallway. Vori gave me a big smile, but I didn’t smile back. My stomach was hurting.

Tuesday, February 16

I stayed away from Vori for a few days after the toothpaste incident, but no one else asked me to play with them during recess. I tried to read a book, but I felt so sad and lonely. I couldn’t pay attention and kept reading the same line over and over again. Then Vori came to me and said, “Atara, let’s have some fun. Class was so boring today.”

“No, thanks. I want to read my book,” I told Vori, showing her the book in my lap.