DIALOGUE - Paula Balagué

“Hi Jack, how are you doing?” I said approaching my friend.

“Hello Paula, I’m good. Did you want to tell me something?” He replied with a wide smile.

“Actually, yes. Why did you speak so badly to that boy?” I said trying not to offend him.

The smile on his face disappeared and he answered me without much concern for the topic of conversation: “I don’t like him”.

“Maybe it’s not because you don’t like him, maybe you are jealous of him.” I said honestly without knowing if it was a good idea to talk to Jack that way.

His expression changed to confusion completely, and he said: “What are you saying?”

“He didn’t deserve that. He did nothing to you. You should think about acting better with people, and try to get along with them so as not to disturb anyone. You wouldn't want them to do that to you, would you?” I said finally, waiting for an understandable answer, which was just what I wanted.

“Yes, I guess you’re right. I’m sorry. But how can I improve it?” He asked me, with the intention of improving his attitude.

“Okay, so maybe you could start with an apology to that boy, and then you could try to be his friend and show him that you will help him with whatever you can to compensate for having spoken bad to him.” I said some ideas that occurred to me instantly, and I smiled to encourage him.

“Well, I’ll try. Thank you, Paula”

“You're welcome, I hope it has been helpful to you. See you, Jack!” I said goodbye, and he smiled back at me.