Samuel was taller and stronger than his classmates, and thought that all problems could be solved by force.

When someone refused to do what he wanted, he would threaten to punch him.

Many boys, out of fear, followed him and did his bidding, but not Alan.

That morning the children were clapping and shouting:

Bravo to Samuel, you are the strongest!

And Samuel raised his arms in victory, while his opponent, Alan, lay on the ground trembling with fear and bleeding from his lip.

He was not about to let Samuel take his sandwich from him, but Samuel had pushed him hard and was now eating it right under his nose.

He was still on the floor when Don Alberto, his teacher, approached:

What's going on here," he asked everyone.

Nothing teacher, it's just a fight," replied one of the boys.

Who started it? Who hit you?" he asked, turning to Alan as he helped him to his feet.

Ana remained silent. Her head was spinning for an answer, because she didn't know what to do: if she told the truth, Samuel would take revenge; if she said he had started the fight, Don Alberto would punish him and tell his parents.

But if he kept quiet, he would look like a coward in front of everyone and Don Alberto would be angry with him for not wanting to tell him the truth.

So Alan had a problem, a serious problem, and he didn't know what to do.

• It was nothing, just an unimportant fight," he replied.

• Well, tell me what you're doing on the floor with your lip split...

• Samuel accidentally pushed me and I fell.

Don Alberto was not convinced by the explanation, but decided not to ask any more questions and sent everyone back to class.

Alan had to listen to everyone whispering to him:

• Coward, chicken, captain of the sardine!

He felt bad but said nothing and tried to forget everything that had happened as soon as possible.

When he left school he strolled home sad and thoughtful, not noticing that someone was following him.

- Hello, good afternoon, Alan," said a girl with a smiling face.

Who are you? I don't know you. And how do you know my name?

- I know all about you, my name is Nala," she replied with a mischievous look on her face.

Alan stared at her quizzically.

- I come from a different world to yours and everyone knows you there.

 Alan's mouth dropped open blankly and he said:

- What do they know about me in another world? I don't understand anything.

- If you want, I can explain it to you," she said.

- Yes, please, I'm listening," Alan asked.

In my world they call you the King of the Brave because you know how to defend yourself without using force, and when you have a problem, you solve it peacefully.

Alan lowered his head and said anal embarrassed:

- I am not brave. This morning a boy in class hit me and I didn't know how to defend myself.

- The boy who hit you is probably a coward who uses force because he is afraid.

What is a scaredy-cat? You don't know him...

- Yes, Alan: if he uses force, it's because he wants to scare you because deep down he's afraid of you, don't you think?

Well, if you look at it that way, you might be right.

I have come here today to remind you that there is courage inside you, even if you don't believe it.

Remember that in my world you are called the King of Brave because you like to solve problems peacefully.

The two continued talking as they approached Alan's house.

Will I see you again? I liked what you told me very much.

 And Nala said to him:

- We will meet again soon...

 And, as soon as he had said the last word, he disappeared from sight.

Alan thought it had all been a dream, but when he entered the house, his mother asked him:

- Alan, who was that girl?

- No one mum. A girl I met today. Her name is Nala.

The next day Alan came to class with a plan.

He spoke to some of the colleagues Samuel was always picking on and told them:

Samuel is one and we are many. I propose that every time he picks on one of us, the rest of us stand in front of him and defend him.

We'll beat him up together," they replied.

- No, no,' said Alan, 'we mustn't fight him. As soon as he sees us all together, he won't dare, because deep down he's afraid of us. We can form a club if you like.

It will be called the Brave Club. Do you like the name?

Everyone thought it was a great idea, so they decided to make a crest that would identify them as members of the club.

They would wear it with a safety pin on their jacket, to remind them that they were brave and could solve problems peacefully.

The Club of the Brave grew and grew, because membership had many advantages, and Samuel realised that, little by little, he was becoming lonely.

And he never bothered them again.

Alan did not forget his friend Nala, and he still hopes that one day she will come to visit him again and tell him more about her world.