When someone shows you who they are, you should believe them.

If you’re a nice person – or if you are hoping that they will show their better side – or perhaps you can’t imagine that they will really be as bad as they’ve been in the past. Or perhaps, you think to yourself, it is worth putting up with them because they can make things better. Perhaps, you tell yourself, as an HR person once told me when I pointed out that we would be lucky if the company bully didn’t get the company sued for how she treated people, it’s worth it because she. makes. money.

This book introduces us to four bullies: Boris, Morris, Horace, and Doris. They’re horrible and they can’t help it. They’re wild boars.

And they act like it.

“They are dirty and smelly, bad-tempered and rude. Do you like them? Never mind. They do not like you either.”

The book goes on to tell you that, if you are polite or generous or helpful to them, they will trample on your good nature and prove, once again that they are what they have always been: wild boars.

“Poor wild boars. Nobody loves them.” The book goes on but then offers, “Maybe just once they could come to your house.”

?!?

Once again, it shows you being generous and playful, doing the things you might do with friends.

“Nice wild boars. Sweet wild boars. They promise just this once they will be good.”

(Which shows more self-awareness than most bullies do.)

And the children in this book are duly rewarded for their generous, trusting spirits – for turning the other cheek, for giving the wild boars just. one. last. chance. They are duly rewarded for their foolishness.

“So perhaps,” the book offers, “it is best if we all agree that there is no such thing as a nice wild boar. Then if you happen to run across one that is fluffy and sweet (though chances are that you won’t) you will be very pleasantly amazed.

But not fooled.”

Every child needs a book like this on their shelves.

To offset their mother’s, “Just being nice to them and they’ll be nice to you.”

To balance their father’s, “Just be the bigger person.”

Because not everyone out there will be on your child’s side.

And they need to learn that, when someone is mean to them or they see that person being mean to others, they should stay far, far away.

And, if the person pretends to like them or tells you what you want to hear, they should not be fooled.

Even if that person promises the child what they want most.

Especially if they promise the child what they want most.

Don’t be fooled.