Ghost Of Spirit Bear

One morning before school, Cole arrives early and stands outside waiting to be let in. Keith arrives on his skateboard and aims directly for Cole. Cole steps out of the way, and Keith’s board hits a crack in the cement. He flies off his board and hits his head on the stairs, resulting in severe bleeding. Cole runs up to Keith and holds his head still to keep it from further injury, and Keith looks up at him in confusion. Cole yells at some students to call an ambulance, and soon one arrives to take Keith to the hospital.

Later on, Cole tells Peter he plans to visit Keith at the hospital. Peter can’t understand why Cole would want to see the person who has been harassing him. Cole isn’t entirely sure himself, but goes anyway, and finds Keith along with his parents. Keith and his parents are surprised to see Cole, but Keith thanks him for being there to help. Later, Peter questions Cole again, and Cole explains that he is trying to fight Keith with his heart. When the boys attempt to meditate in a grassy area near the hospital, they are approached by the man who resembles the Spirit Bear again. He leaves them the completed bear head carving and walks away.

Cole decides to drop the charges against Keith as a peace offering and with the hope that it will show Keith that he means well. In addition, he hopes to prevent Keith from having to go through what he went through, and that being hurt will be enough to wake Keith up. When Keith comes to school a week later, he thanks Cole for helping him, but still seems confused by Cole’s actions. Within the same week, the school is vandalized, Peter is violently attacked in the bathroom with the lights out, and the girl who Cole observed being bullied dies by suicide, citing bullying as the reason.

Cole becomes overwhelmed by emotion and frustration. He is desperate to do something to change his school. He asks Garvey for help, but Garvey tells Cole to find his own solution. The principal decides to hold an assembly to attempt to change the atmosphere, bringing in police officers and detaining anyone who speaks out or assaults another student. The whole affair is dramatic and bold, but Cole wonders if it will have any lasting effect.

Cole finds Peter, who confesses that he is tired of being bullied and worried that it will never stop. Together, they decide that it would benefit the school to hold a massive Circle meeting with all of the students and teachers. They suggest the idea to the principal, who makes the announcement the next morning. The meeting is held shortly after, and the Keeper from the Circle meetings that Cole attends arrives to mediate it. The majority of the students gather around the football field, and the Keeper passes a bullhorn around to each student who wishes to speak their thoughts. She encourages honesty and openness to change, and Cole watches hopefully as she begins making rounds.

While many students are reluctant to speak, others are brave enough to share their concerns for safety and their future education. Cole doesn’t speak on the first round, but when the Keeper asks for solutions, he suggests that the school change its mascot. He notes that their current mascot, a “snarling bulldog,” should be changed to a Spirit Bear to reflect the school’s desire for change and the inner strength of each student to execute that change. The Keeper thanks everyone for their honesty and reminds them that their words must now be put into action before dismissing them.

Later that day, Peter compliments Cole’s bravery and notes that students were talking about it all day. An argument arises between the boys when Peter suggests giving his at.óow to the man without a home. Cole had previously given it to Peter on the island, and feels offended that Peter would want to pass it on to someone they don’t know. Still, Peter thinks it would be a good idea. Unsatisfied with the idea of getting the man a different blanket, Peter seems downtrodden. Cole apologizes for dismissing his idea but doesn’t change his mind about how he feels.