Leo The Majestic Lion
How a Young Girl Transformed Bullying Into Strength and Compassion
Leo the Majestic Lion
“Leo, Leo, Leo the Lion,” they taunted in choir class.
Young Nikki sat upright on the edge of her choir seat in perfect singing posture beside another girl the students mocked and cruelly called “the troll.” Tina, despite the teasing, also sat tall and poised.
Nikki and Tina were honor roll students who tried their best to be respectful, hardworking, and positive role models, unlike many of the other students in the class.
Both girls dreamed of becoming stars in the school production of Grease. “Grease” was the word they heard repeated with excitement, rhythm, and possibility.
The taunting did not stop, but Nikki and Tina continued trying to be model students. Though embarrassed, they persevered.
Nikki assumed the nickname “Leo the Lion” came from her fierce lion’s mane hairstyle, which was fashionable at the time. She wore her hair in feathered curls framing her face, with volume on the sides and top that gave it the appearance of a lion’s mane.
Tina, meanwhile, was shorter and had a cute, stocky frame, which was why some students cruelly called her a troll. Nikki never understood the insult. She had always thought trolls looked small and cute. The teasing students clearly disagreed.
Much of the taunting was led by the choir class president, who seemed upset that Nikki was confident, determined, and unwilling to back down.
Nikki was vibrant, energetic, and full of personality.
She had already earned a coveted spot as a cheerleader, while the choir president, Shelly, had only been selected as an alternate cheerleader who substituted for absent team members and occasionally dressed as the school’s panther mascot.
Nikki believed Shelly should have been grateful to still participate, seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty.
In time, all the seventh-grade cheerleaders took turns performing as the panther mascot. However, Shelly continued to cry, complain, and mock Nikki until she was eventually allowed to cheer more regularly.
Now Nikki was auditioning for the Grease performance, and Shelly feared Nikki’s success once again.
Shelly encouraged the classroom to chant, “Leo, Leo the Lion,” making Nikki the center of ridicule. Nikki saw Shelly’s behavior as poor sportsmanship driven by jealousy and insecurity.
At home, Nikki prayed constantly. She danced, practiced choreography, spun to music, and asked God to bless her enemies rather than curse them because she had been raised in the Christian faith.
Eventually, Nikki earned a featured position at center stage during the Grease performance. She was already a cheerleader and carried herself with confidence and enthusiasm.
Although Shelly had once bullied her, she later became part of Nikki’s close-knit group of girlfriends, which Nikki called BFH. Nikki decided she wanted to be brave enough to befriend someone who had once treated her poorly.
As time passed, Nikki became a source of support and friendship for girls who had experienced abuse and hardship. She even welcomed Shelly into the group despite their difficult past.
Nikki was courageous and strong—a true lion at heart.
Eventually, she learned to view the nickname “Leo the Lion” as a compliment rather than an insult.
Life will always present moments where people try to taunt you, criticize you, or tear you down. But those same moments can also become opportunities to rise, grow stronger, and discover your own courage.
In the end, it is all about perspective.
Nikki chose not to let cruelty define her. Instead, she allowed it to inspire her to become even stronger, bolder, and more compassionate.
She would never forget her fierce and outgoing spirit.
And through it all, she believed it was for the love of Jesus and trusted that His will and love would guide her path.
