The Great Bear

Morgan and Emily leave the bathroom stall and find Eli holding a pair of scissors and appearing distressed. After Emily leaves to give them privacy, Morgan confronts Eli about his unusual behavior. Eli reveals that girls in his class have been pulling his braid and making derogatory comments about his hair. The boys in his class prevent him from using the boys’ bathroom, telling him “No girls allowed” (44) and threatening him with violence when he tries to enter. He feels helpless and trapped by the bullying, leading him to seek refuge in the girls’ bathroom.

Morgan tries to offer solutions and reassurance, suggesting they could spend more time in Misewa to escape the bullying. However, Eli feels this won’t solve the problem and is only a temporary escape. In a moment of despair, he decides to cut off his braid, which is a significant part of his identity. Despite Morgan’s attempt to stop him, he cuts his hair.

Eli is devastated after cutting off his braid. Emily joins them in the girls’ bathroom, and Eli shares that he has been bullied at school for his hair and ethnicity. Emily offers sympathy and reassurance, emphasizing that Eli’s hair will grow back and reminding him that bullies target people for their own issues, not because of anything wrong with their victims.