Theunseenst

rengt
h

THE

UNSEEN
STRENGTH
Navi
gat
ingBul
lyi
ngwi
thResi
li
enceandFr
iendshi
p"

Fel
ixGi
ft
Copyr
ight©2024.Fel
ixGi
ftal
lri
ghtr
eser
ved

1
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Dedi
cat
ion
"
Dedi
cat
edt
othosewhoi
nspi
reuswi
tht
hei
rresi
l
ienceandki
ndness,
and
totheprofoundi
mpactoff
ri
endshi
pandcour
agei
nov
ercomi
ngl
i
fe'
s
chall
enges."

2
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Pr
eface
"
DearReader
,

Welcomet o'TheUnseenSt rength.'Withi

nt hesepagesl i
esaj ourneyof
resi
li
ence,f ri
endship,andt heendur ingpoweroft hehumanspi ri
t .
Thisst or
yi s
atestamentt ot hestrengthf oundinunl i
kelyplacesandt het ransfor mative
natureofgenui neconnect i
on.Thr oughChr istianandDaisy'sexper iences,we
areremi ndedoft heimportanceofst andingupagai nstadver sit
yand
embr acingthesuppor tofthosewhol i
ftusup. Asyoudelvei ntot heirworld,
mayyouf indinspir
ationinthei rcourage,solaceintheirtri
umphs,andhopei n
thebeliefthateveni nourdar kestmoment s,thereisli
ghttogui deusf orwar d.

Thankyouf
orembar
kingont
hisj
our
neywi
thus.

War
mregar
ds,

Fel
ixGi
ft

3
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Tabl
eofCont
ent
s

Chapt
er1:
Thel
onel
yhal
l
way

Chapt
er2:
TheRel
ent
lessBul
l
ying.
..

Chapt
er3:
TheKi
ndnessofaSt
ranger

Chapt
er4:
TheUnexpect
edFr
iendshi
p

*
Chapt
er5:
*"TheSecr
etRev
eal
ed"

Chapt
er6:
"TheCour
aget
oSt
andup

Chapt
er7:
ThePowerofBel
i
ef

Chapt
er8:
TheUnexpect
edAl
l
y

Chapt
er9:
TheSchool
PlayTr
yout

Chapt
er10:
TheSur
pri
seAudi
ti
on.

Chapt
er11:
TheFi
rstPer
for
mance

Chapt
er12:
TheGl
owi
ngRev
iew

Chapt
er13:
TheJeal
ousyandsabot
age

Chapt
er14:
TheDi
shear
teni
ngSet
back

4
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er15:
TheHear
t-
to-
Hear
tTal
k

Chapt
er16:
TheNewf
oundConf
idence

Chapt
er17:
TheSchool
Bul
l
yingAwar
enessWeek

Chapt
er18:
TheI
nspi
ri
ngSpeech

Chapt
er19:
TheTur
ningpoi
nt

Chapt
er20:
TheUnseenSt
rengt
hRev
eal
ed

Chapt
er21:
TheApol
ogyandFor
giv
eness

Chapt
er22:
TheNewBegi
nni
ngs

Chapt
er23:
TheSchool
PlaySuccess

*
Chapt
er24:
ThePr
oudMoment

Chapt
er25:
TheBr
ightFut
ureAhead

5
Theunseenst
rengt
h

I
ntr
oduct
ion
"I
n'TheUnseenSt r
ength:Chri
sti
an'sJour ney ,'r
eader swi l
lbecapt ivat
edby
thestoryofChr ist
ian,ayoungpr otagoni stbr avelynav igati
ngt he
complexiti
esofadol escence.Thr oughChr istian'scompel l
i
ngexper iences,
readerswillembar konanemot i
onal jour neyf il
ledwi t
hr esil
ience,profound
fri
endships,andenl i
ghteni
ngsel f
-discov ery.Theunf oldingnar rat
ivewill
beauti
full
yi l
lust r
atethemesofcompassi on, unwav eringcour age,andt he
i
ncredibleinfluenceofhumanconnect i
ons, offeri
ngr eadersadeepl y
mov i
ngr efl
ect ionont heextr
aordinaryr esilienceoft hehumanspi ri
t.
Preparetoi mmer seyoursel
finChr isti
an' swor l
dandexper i
encet he
ti
melessandr elat
ablethemest hatwi l
lresonat ewi thr eadersacross
generati
ons."

6
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er1:Thel
onel
yhal
lway
Christianst roll
edt hrought hedi ml ylitschoolhal l
way,t he
gentlet apofhi swor nshoesr ever ber atingagai nstt hecol d
met allocker s.Hekepthi sgazef ixedont hescuf f ed
li
noleum f loor,insulati
nghi msel ff rom t hedi sdai nf ulst ar
es
ofhispeer s.Eversi ncetheunt i
mel ypassi ngofhi spar ents,
hehadbeenr esidi
ngwi tht heSmi ths,r elativeswho
regardedhi m asanunwel comebur den. Roundi ngacor ner,
Christiancaughtsi ghtofSophi aandChr i
st abel ,theschool '
s
reveredcheer leaders,clust eredneart heirl ocker s,t heir
contagi ouslaught erper meat ingt hecor ri
dor .Ashedr ew
closer,hekeenl yfelttheirder isivegl ancesandhear dt heir
barbedr emar ksslicingthr ought heai r."Lookathi m,hi s
atti
reissoshabby,hecan' tevenaf for dbet tercl ot hes! "
Sophi at aunted,herwor dsdr ippingwi thscor n.Chr i
st abel
chimedi n,
"Andhe'sanor phan,howpi ti
ful
!"
Despitethefamiliarachein
hischest,Chri
stianattemptedtoshieldhimselffrom thei
r
hurt
fulji
bes.Navi gat
ingthroughtheall-
too-f
ami l
iarhall
way,
heespiedascr apofpaperwedgedwi thintheconf i
nesofhis
l
ockerdoor s.Unfoldi
ngit,hewast akenabackt odiscovera
notethatread:

7
Theunseenst
rengt
h

"
HeyChr
ist
ian,
you'
renotal
one.-
Dai
sy"

Thisunexpect
edactofempat
hyfr
om someonenamedDaisy
sparkedagli
mmerofoptimi
sm wi
thi
nChri
sti
an'
sdespondent
soul.

8
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er2:"
TheRel
ent
lessBul
lyi
ng"

Daystur
nedint
oweeks, andthebull
yi
ngcont inued.Sophi
aand
Chr
ist
abelmadef unofChri
sti
an'scl
othes,hishair,andev
enhis
l
unch.Theycal
ledhim"orphan"and"l
oser"inf r
ontofever
yone.

Chri
sti
antri
edtoi
gnorethem,buti
twashard.Hefel
tli
kehewas
al
lalonel
ikenooneunderst
oodhim.Hestart
edtodoubthi
msel
f,
wonderi
ngifhewasindeedaloser
.

Oneday ,whi
lewal
ki
ngdownt hehal
l
way,Sophi
aandChrist
abel
corneredhi
m."Hey,
orphan,
what'
syourpr
oblem?"Sophi
a
sneered.

Chri
sti
anstoodtall
,tr
yingt
ohidehi
sfear
."Idon'
thav
eapr
obl
em,
Sophi
a.I'
mj ustt
ryi
ngtosurvi
ve.
"

Sophi
alaughed."
Sur
viv
e?Youmeanl
i
keacockr
oach?
"

Chr
ist
abel
joi
nedi
n,"
Yeah,
orast
raydog!
"

Chr
ist
ianf
eltasur
geofanger
,buthebi
thi
stongue.Heknewt
hat

9
Theunseenst
rengt
h

r
eact
ingwoul
donl
ymaket
hingswor
se.

Justthen,at
eacherappeared,andt
hegir
lsscat
tered.Chri
sti
an
breat
hedasighofreli
ef,butheknewtherepr
iev
ewast emporar
y.
Thebullyi
ngwouldconti
nue,andheneededtofindawayt ostop
i
t.

10
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er3:"
TheKi
ndnessofaSt
ranger
"

Oneday,whi
leChrist
ianwassi
tti
ngalonei
nt heli
brar
y,henoti
ced
agir
lwit
hpierci
nggreeneyesandcurl
ybrownhai rwatchi
nghi
m.
Shehadawar m smil
eonherface,andChri
stianf
eltasenseof
comfor
t.

Thegi
rlappr
oachedhi m,
car
ryi
ngastackofbooks."
Hi,
Chri
sti
an.
Mynamei sDaisy.I
'v
eseenyouar
oundschool,
andIwantedto
i
ntr
oducemy self
."

Chri
sti
anwassurpri
sed.Noonehadbeenki
ndt
ohi
minal
ong
ti
me."Hi,
Dai
sy.Nicetomeetyou.
"

Dai
sysatdownnexttohim."
Iknowwedon'tknoweachot her
wel
l,butIwanty
outoknowthatI'
m her
eforyou.Iunder
stand
whatit
'sli
ketof
eel
aloneandbull
i
ed."

Chr
ist
ianwast
akenabackbyherwor
ds."
Howdi
dyouknow?
"

Dai
sysmiled."
Let'
sjustsayI'
vebeeninyourshoesbef
ore.ButI
wantyoutoknowthaty ou'
renotal
one.I
'm her
etosupportyou,
andIwanttohelpyouthroughthi
stoughti
me."

11
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Christ
ianfel
talumpforminhisthroat.Noonehadbeenthi
skind
tohimi nalongti
me.Hesmiled,
f eel
ingasenseofhope."
Thanks,
Daisy.Thatmeansalott
ome. "

12
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er4:"
TheUnexpect
edFr
iendshi
p"

Christi
anandDai systar
tedspendingmoreti
metogether,si
tt
ing
togetheri
nthelibrar
yandhav i
nglunchtoget
heri
nt hecourt
yard.
Christi
anfel
tli
kehehadf i
nal
lyfoundatruef
ri
end,someonewho
understoodhim andacceptedhimf orwhohewas.

Dai
sywasdif
fer
entfrom theotherki
dsatschool.Shewaski
nd,
andgenui
ne,
anddidn'tcareaboutpopul
ari
tyorstat
us.Shel
i
ked
Chri
sti
anf
orwhohewas, andheappreci
atedherforthat
.

Oneday ,whil
etheywerewalki
ngdownt hehall
way,Sophi
aand
Chr
istabelapproachedthem."
Well
,well
,well
,lookwhatwehave
her
e,"Sophiasneered."
Theorphanandthefreak,t
oget
herat
l
ast.
"

Dai
systoodtal
l
,hereyesfl
ashi
ngwi
thanger
."Leav
eusal
one,
Sophi
a.We'r
enotbother
ingyou.
"

Sophiasnor
ted."
You'
renotbot
her
ingme?You'
remaki
ngmesi
ck,
that
'swhatyou'
redoi
ng.
"

Chr
ist
ianf
eltasur
geoff
ear
,butDai
syt
ookhi
shandandst
ood

13
Theunseenst
rengt
h

hergr
ound."
We'renotgoi
ngt
olety
oubul
l
yus,
Sophi
a.We'
re
str
ongert
hanthat.
"

Sophi
arol
ledhereyesandwalkedaway,Chr
ist
abelfoll
owing
cl
osebehind.Chr
ist
ianfel
tasenseofpr
ideandgrati
tudet owards
Dai
sy.Shehadstoodupf orhi
m,andheknewthattheirfr
iendship
wassomet hi
ngspecial
.

14
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er5:"
TheSecr
etReveal
ed"

Oneday,whi
leChrist
ianandDaisywerehangi
ngoutinthel
ibr
ary
,
Dai
syaskedhim abouthispar
ents.Chr
ist
ianhesi
tat
ed,
unsureof
howtosharehi
sst or
y .

ButDaisy'
ski ndeyesandgentlesmil
eputhi
m atease,
andhe
begantoopenup." Myparent
sdiedinacaracci
dentwhenIwas
11,"hesaid,hisvoicet
rembli
ng."I
'
vebeenli
vi
ngwithmyrel
ati
ves,
theSmiths,ev ersi
nce.
"

Dai
sy'
sey
eswi
denedi
nshock."
I'
m sosor
ry,
Chr
ist
ian.Ihadno
i
dea.
"

Chri
sti
anshrugged."
It'
sokay
.I'
vel
earnedt
odealwi
thi
t.But
someti
mesi tf
eelsli
kenooneunderst
andsmeli
keI
'm al
lal
onei
n
thi
sworld.
"

Daisytookhishand,
hertouchwarm andcomfort
ing."
You'
renot
alone,Chr
ist
ian.I
'
m her
ef ory
ou,andIunder
standyoumorethan
yout hi
nk.
"

Chr
ist
ianl
ookedather
,cur
ious."
Whatdoy
oumean?
"

15
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Daisyhesi
tat
ed,thentookadeepbr eath."I
'
velostsomeonecl
ose
tomet oo,
Christ
ian.Myolderbrot
herdi edwhenIwas10.Iknow
howi tf
eel
stobeal oneinyourgri
ef,t
of eell
ikenoone
underst
andsyou."

Chr
ist
ian'
sey
eswidenedi
nsur
prise.Hehadnev
ersuspect
edt
hat
Dai
syhadgonet
hroughsomet
hingsimil
ar.

16
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er6:"
TheCour
aget
oSt
andUp"

WithDai
sy'
ssuppor t
,Chr
ist
ianbegantof
eelmoreconf
ident
.He
real
iz
edthathedidn'
thavetofacehi
sstr
uggl
esaloneandthat
havi
ngatruefr
iendbyhissidemadeallt
hedif
fer
ence.

Oneday,whenSophi aandChr i
stabel
startedtaunt
inghim again,
Chr
isti
anstoodtall
,hisheartfi
l
ledwithnewf oundcourage."
Leave
mealone,Sophi
a,"hesaid,hisvoicef
irm butcalm."I
'
m notafraid
ofyou.
"

Sophiasneered,
butChr
ist
ianheldhi
sgr
ound.Dai
syst
oodbesi
de
hi
m, hereyesshini
ngwi
thpride.

"
You'
renotal
one,Chri
sti
an,
"shesai
d,herv
oicel
oudandcl
ear
.
"
We'r
einthi
stogether
."

Sophi
asnor
ted,
butChr
ist
iancouldseethef
earinherey
es.She
knewshewasnomatchforthetwoofthem t
ogether
.

"
Let
'sgo,Sophi
a,
"Chri
stabel
said,
tuggi
ngonherfri
end'
sar
m.
"
Wedon'tneedtowasteourti
meont hesel
oser
s."

17
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Astheywal
kedaway,Chr
ist
ianf
eltasurgeoft
ri
umph.Hehad
st
oodupforhi
mself
,andhehadDai syt
othankfori
t.

"Thanks,
Dai sy
,"hesai
d,gr
inni
ngathi
sfr
iend."
Icoul
dn'
thav
e
doneitwithoutyou.
"

Dai
sysmi l
edback,
herey
esspar
kli
ngwi
thpr
ide."
Any
time,
Chr
ist
ian.We'
reateam,r
emember?"

18
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er7:"
ThePowerofBel
ief
"

Chri
sti
an'
snewfoundconf i
dencespreadtootherar
easofhisl
i
fe.
Hestart
edtopart
ici
patemor einclass,
answeri
ngquesti
onsand
shar
inghist
houghts.Heev enj
oinedtheschool'
sdebat
eteam,
wit
hDaisyashispartner
.

Theirfi
rstdebatet
our namentwasahugesuccess.Chri
sti
an'
s
argument swerestrong,andDaisy'
sresear
chski
l
lshel
pedthem
preparethoroughl
y.Theywonf ir
stpri
ze,andt
hei
rteammates
cheeredandcongr atulat
edthem.

Astheywalkedofft
hest
age,Chr
isti
anturnedtoDai
sywi
tha
beamingsmile."
Wedidi
t!Weactual
lydidit
!"

Dai
sygr
innedback,herey
esshi
ningwi
thpr
ide."Wemakeagr
eat
t
eam,Chri
sti
an.AndIknewyouhaditi
nyouallal
ong.
"

Chr
ist
ianfel
tasurgeofgr
ati
tudetowar
dsDai
sy.Shehadbel
iev
ed
i
nhim whennooneelsedid,
andherunwaver
ingsuppor
thad
hel
pedhim di
scov
erhisownstrengt
h.

"
Thanks,
Dai
sy,
"hesai
d,hi
svoi
cesi
ncer
e."
You'
ret
hebestf
ri
endI

19
Theunseenst
rengt
h

coul
dev
eraskf
or.
"

Daisysmi l
ed,
herfaceglowingwi
thhappi
ness."
You'
repret
ty
amazi ngyour
sel
f,Chri
sti
an.AndIknowwe'l
lachi
evegr
eatthi
ngs
together.
"

20
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er8:"
TheUnexpect
edAl
ly"

AsChristi
anandDai sycontinuedtoexceli
nthedebatet
eam,t
hey
caughttheattent
ionoftheirschool
'spri
nci
pal,
Mr.Leonar
d.He
wasimpr essedbytheirdedicati
onandteamwork,andhewant
ed
tomeetwi ththem per
sonally.

Inhi
soffice,
Mr.Leonardrevealedthathehadapersonal
connect
iontoChri
sti
an'sstory.Hehadalsolosthi
sparent
sata
youngageandunderstoodt hestruggl
esChri
sti
anfaced.

"Iwanttohel
pyou,
Chri
sti
an,
"Mr.Leonardsaid,
hiseyessi
ncer
e.
"Iwanttobeamentort
oyou,andhelpyoureachyourful
l
potent
ial
."

Chri
sti
anwast akenabackbyt
heoffer
.Noonehadev
ershown
suchint
eresti
nhiswell-
bei
ngbef
ore.

"Thanky ou,Mr.Leonar
d,"Chr
ist
iansai
d,hi
svoi
cef
il
ledwi
th
grati
tude."Thatmeansal ott
ome. "

Mr.Leonardsmil
ed."I
'
m gladtobeabletohel
p.AndDaisy
,you'
re
agreatfr
iendt
oChr i
sti
an.Keepsupport
inghi
m,andIknowhe'l
l

21
Theunseenst
rengt
h

gof
ar.
"

Dai
sybeamedwithconfi
denceandChr i
sti
anfel
tasenseofr
eli
ef.
Hehadfoundanunexpectedal
lyinMr.Leonar
d,andheknewthat
hi
sli
fewasabouttochangeforthebett
er.

22
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er9:"
TheSchoolPl
ayTr
yout
s"

Astheschoolyearprogr
essed,
Chri
sti
an'
sconfidencegrew.He
star
tedtopart
ici
patemoreincl
assandevenlandedal eadrol
ein
theschoolpl
ay.Dai
sywashi sr
ock,
support
inghim everyst
epof
theway.

Atthetryouts,
Christ
ian'
snerveswereonedge.ButDaisy
's
encouragingwordsandMr .Leonar
d'sgui
dancehelpedhim shi
ne.
Heper f
ormedwi thpassi
onandconv i
cti
on,andthedir
ectorwas
i
mpr essed.

"
Chri
sti
an,you'
reanat
ural
!"t
hedi
rect
orexcl
aimed."
Yougott
he
l
eadrol
e!"

Chri
sti
anbeamedwit
hpride,andDaisyhuggedhimti
ghtl
y."
I
knewyoucoulddoi
t,Chr
isti
an!"shesai
d,herey
essparkl
i
ngwit
h
j
oy.

Astheywalkedoutoft
heauditor
ium, Christ
ianfeltasenseof
accompli
shment.Hehadfacedhisf earsandcomeoutont op.
Andheknewt hatnomatt
erwhatchal lengeslayahead,hecoul
d
overcomethem wi
thDai
syandMr .Leonardbyhi sside.

23
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er10:"
TheSur
pri
seAudi
ti
on"

AsChristi
anwasbaskingint
hegloryofhi
sschool playsuccess,
hereceiv
edanunexpectedemail
.Itwasaninv
itat
iont oauditi
on
forapresti
giousper
for
mingart
sacademy-onet hatcouldof f
er
him aful
lscholar
shi
pandachancet opur
suehisdr eams.

Chri
sti
anwashesi
tantatfi
rst,
butDai
syandMr.Leonard
encour
agedhimtogof ori
t.Wit
hthei
rhel
p,hepr
epareda
powerf
ulaudi
ti
onpiece.

Thedayoftheauditi
onarri
ved,andChri
sti
an'
sner v
eswer eon
edge.Butashesteppedint
ot heaudi
ti
onroom, hefeltastr
ange
senseofcalm.Heper f
ormedwi t
hall
hishear
t,pouringhis
emotionsi
ntothepiece.

Whenhefini
shed,thejudgesweresil
entforamoment ,t
hen
er
uptedi
ntoapplause."Brav
o!"oneofthem excl
aimed."
Youhav
e
atr
uegif
t,Chri
sti
an."

Chri
sti
anlef
ttheaudit
ionfeel
inghopef
ul,
butal
sounsur
e.Hadhe
doneenoughtoimpressthejudges?

24
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Afewdaysl
ater
,her
ecei
vedanemai
lthatchangedhi
sli
fe
f
orev
er.
..

25
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er11:"
TheFi
rstPer
for
mance"

Thedayoftheacademy 'shighlyanti
cipatedannualshowcase
fi
nall
yar
ri
ved.Christi
an'
shear tpoundedwi thexci
tementand
nerv
esashecar ef
ullyadornedhimselfinhiselaborat
ecostume
andmental
lyrehearsedhislines,pr
eparingtotakethestage.

Asheawai t
edhisturni
nthewi ngs,
thepalpableenergyofthe
packedaudi t
ori
um seepedthroughthecurtai
ns.Amongt hesea
offaces,hecouldspotDaisyandMr .Leonard,t
heirencour
aging
smilesandsupportiv
egesturesprovidi
nghim withasurgeof
confidence.

Theorchest
ra'
sov er
turefi
ll
edt heair,si
gnal
ingthest
artofthe
per
formance,andChristi
ansteppedi ntothespotl
i
ght.Hisvoi
ce
qui
veredsli
ghtl
yinthebeginning,butwitheachpassi
ngmoment ,
i
tgainedstr
engthandassur ance,resonati
ngwithemotionand
power.

Theaudiencewascapt i
vated,hangi
ngont oever
ywordand
melody.Chri
sti
an'sfel
lowper f
ormers,whohadshar
edthestage
withhi
m duri
ngr ehearsals,gazedathim wi
thadmir
ati
on,
sil
entl
y
acknowledgi
nghi sremarkableperformance.

26
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Ast hef
inalnoteli
nger
edi ntheair
,theaudit
orium erupt
edi nt
oa
thunder
ousr oundofapplause.Chri
sti
anstoodcent erstage,
overwhelmedbyt heoutpouri
ngofappreciat
ion,andhegr aceful
l
y
acknowledgedtheaudiencewi t
hadeepbow, hisheartbri
mmi ng
withpri
deandf ul
fil
l
ment .

Backstage,DaisyandMr .Leonardenvelopedhi
mi nawarm,
congratul
ator
yembr ace."We'resoincredi
blypr
oudofyou,
Chri
stian!
"Daisyexcl
aimed, hereyessparkli
ngwit
hdigni
ty

Mr.Leonardsmil
ed,amixofj
oyandpr
ideshi
ninginhistear
ful
eyes."Youhavet
rul
ycomealongway,
Christ
ian.Youarea
shini
ngstar.
"

Chri
sti
anbeamedwi thani ndescr
ibabl
efeeli
ngof
accompli
shmentandel at
ion,feel
ingasthoughhewasstanding
ontopoftheworld.Heknewdeepdownt hatthi
sper
for
mance
wasmer el
ythefi
rststepinhisjourney
,andheeagerl
yanti
cipat
ed
al
lthatl
ayahead.

27
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er12:"
TheGl
owi
ngRevi
ew"

Afteraner
ve-wracki
ngwait,
Christ
ian'
sphonefi
nall
ybuzzedwit
h
excit
ement,si
gnali
ngthearr
ival
oft herevi
ewoftheshowcasei
n
theacademy '
snewslet
ter
.Hisheartracedasheeagerl
yopened

t
henewsl
ett
erandr
eadt
hegl
owi
ngwor
dst
hatf
oll
owed.

"Chri
sti
an'sper
for
mancewasat ourdef
orce,
"thecri
ti
cwrote.
"Hisvoi
cesoaredwit
hapowerandemot i
onthatlef
ttheaudience
breat
hless.Heisatr
uet
alent
,andwecan'twaitt
oseewhathe
doesnext."

Asher eadtherevi
ew,
Christi
an'
sheartswelledwit
hpr i
de.The
acknowledgmentofhi
stalentandhardwor kmeantt heworl
dto
hi
m.Hef el
tarushofval
i
dationwashov erhim.Thiswast he
aff
irmati
onhehadbeent i
rel
esslyworki
ngf or,
anditfil
ledhi
m
withasenseofaccompli
shmentt hathecouldhardlycontai
n.

DaisyandMr .Leonar
dcouldn'thel
pbutsharei
nChrist
ian'
sjoyas
theyreadtherevi
ewov erhi
sshoulder."
Weknewy oucoulddoit,
Christ
ian!
"Daisyexcl
aimed,hereyesbeamingwit
hbeli
ev e

Mr
.Leonar
dnodded,
hisowney
esshi
ningwi
tht
ear
sofhappi
ness.

28
Theunseenst
rengt
h

"You'
veworkedsohar
d,Chr
ist
ian.Youdeser
veev
erybi
toft
his
success.
"

Chri
sti
anbeamedwi thgr at
it
ude, f
eeli
ngli
kehewaswal kingonai
r.
I
twasnotj ustthepr
aisebutther ecogni
ti
onofhi sdedicati
onand
passi
ont hatmadethi
smomentsospeci al.Ashelookedahead,
heknewt hatthi
srevi
ewwasj ustthebeginningofhi
sjourney,
and
hewasr eadyforwhatevercamenext .

29
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er13:"
TheJeal
ousyandSabot
age"

AsChrist
ian'
sstarconti
nuedtoascend,
hecouldn'
thel
pbut
noti
ceashifti
nthebehav i
orofsomeofhisfel
l
owper f
ormers.
Theyexchangedfurt
ivewhisper
sandcastenvi
ousglancesi
nhis
di
recti
on.

Ononef at
efulni
ght,
Christ
ianuncover
edaglari
ngactof
sabotage-someonehaddel i
ber
atel
ytamperedwit
hhiscostume,
tear
ingacruci
alseam.Wi t
hhisperf
ormanceloomi
ngjusthours
away ,
hefoundhimselfwit
houtabackupcostume.

DaisyandMr .Leonardrushedt ohissi

de,pr
ovi
dingunwaver
ing
supportastheyassistedinr ect
if
yingt
hedamage.However,
Christ
ianwascer t
ainthatthiswasnomer emishap.I
twasa
concertedef
forttoundermi nehim.

Steppi
ngont
ot hestage,hi
sheartf
lut
teredwi
thanxi
ety
.Butashe
begantosi
ng,allt
houghtsofthesabotagemel
tedawayashe
l
osthimsel
finthemusi c.

Hisaudiencewascapti
v ated,andChri
sti
anwasmetwi tha
thunder
ousstandi
ngov ation.Ashetookhisbow,hecaughta
gli
mpseofSophia,herey esburningwi
thjeal
ousyandfury
.

30
Theunseenst
rengt
h

I
nt hatmoment,Chr
isti
anunderstoodthatheneededt oremai
n
resol
uteint
hefaceofadv er
sit
yandcont i
nuetoshine.Hewas
determi
nedtori
seabov ethepett
inessandlethi
stalentspeakfor
i
tself
,undet
err
edbyt hosewhosoughtt oecl
ipsehi
sl i
ght.

31
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er14:"
TheDi
shear
teni
ngAt
tack"

Chri
sti
anwasst il
lgrappli
ngwithhismist
akeonst agewhenhe
washitwithadev astat
ingblow.Sophi
a,i
ntentonundermini
nghi
s
confi
dence,pennedascat hi
ngreviewofhisperf
ormance,
mali
ciousl
yridi
culinghistal
entandcasti
ngdoubtonhisplaceat
theacademy .

Thev enomousrev
iewgainedtractionandtheentir
eschool
becameabuzzwi t
htalkofChri
stian'ssupposedlackoftal
ent
.
Suddenly,hef
oundhimselfbombar dedwithcruelmessagesand
mocki ngcomments,
makinghimf eelasthoughhewereunder
assault.

Despitet
heunwaver
ingsupportofDai
syandMr.Leonar
d,t
he
sti
ngofSophia'
svi
ciouswordspier
ceddeepl
y.I
twasasthough
hisdreamsandaspi
rati
onswerebeingtor
napar
t,l
eavi
nghim
feel
ingadri
fti
naseaofself
-doubt.

Chri
st i
anbegantoquesti
onhimsel f
,wonderi
ngifhetrul
yhad
whati tt
ooktopursuehispassion.Theonceunshakable
confidencet
hatfueledhi
sperformanceswasnowshaken, andhe
fel
tlostandisol
ated.

32
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Butami dstt
hedarkness, somethi
ngst i
rredwi t
hinChri
sti
an.He
recall
edtheundi
lutedlov eandpassi
ont hatpr opel
l
edhimi nt
o
performingi
nthefirstplace.Hereal
izedt hathecouldn'
tal
low
Sophia'smali
cetodef i
nehi m.Heresolvedt ofindawaytor i
se
abov ethehat
eandr ekindlehisi
nnerli
ght .

33
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er15:"
TheHear
t-t
o-Hear
tTal
k"

Chri
sti
anfoundhimselfst
ruggl
i
ngtocomet oter
mswit
hthe
onsl
aughtagainsthi
stal
entwhenMr.Leonar
dsathi
m downfora
deepl
yearnestconver
sati
on.

"Chri
sti
an,Iknowy ou'
reinpainri
ghtnow,butIwantyouto
remembert hatyourworthisnotdefi
nedbytheopini
onsof
other
s,"Mr.Leonardsaid,hi
seyesbrimmingwithcompassion.
"Youpossessagi ft
,andyoumustnotal l
owany onet
osnatchthat
awayf r
om you."

Chri
sti
anlookedup,hi
sey esgl
ist
eni
ngwi
thunshedtear
s."
But
whatift
hey'r
eri
ght,
Mr .Leonar
d?Whati
fI'
m si
mplynotgood
enough?"

Mr.Leonar
dof f
eredagentl
esmil
e."
Christ
ian,y
ouaremor ethan
goodenough.Yourpassi
onanddedicat
ionareunparal
l
eled.And
evenwhenmi st
akesaremade,t
hat'
spartofthejour
neywher e
themostgrowthoccurs.
"

Wit
hadeepbr eath,Chri
sti
anf
eltaweightl
i
ftf
rom hi
sshoulder
s.
HeknewthatMr .Leonardwasspeaki
ngthetr
uth.Hecoul
dn't
al
l
owSophia'scruelt
ytoholdhi
m back.

34
Theunseenst
rengt
h

"
Thankyou,Mr.Leonar
d,"Chr
ist
iansai
d,hi
svoi
ceconv
eyi
nghi
s
i
mmenseappr eci
ati
on."
Youalwaysknowtheri
ghtwor
dstomake
mefeel
stronger.
"

Mr.Leonar
dsmil
edback."
That
'swhatmentorsareher
efor,
Chri
sti
an.Nowgooutt
hereandshowthem thetr
uedepthofyour
tal
ent
."

35
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er16:"
TheNewFoundConf
idence"

Taki
ngMr .Leonard'scounseltoheart
,Christi
anthrewhimsel
f
backintohi
spr act
icewithrenewedfervorandpur pose.He
pouredeveryounceofhi sheartandsoulintohiscraft
,andsl
owl
y
butsteadi
ly
,hisconfidencebegantorekindle.

Hebegant orecognizethathewascapableofachiev
ingmore
thanhehadev erdaredtodr eam.Hisvoi
cegrewinstr
engt
hand
resonance,
hisperformancesbecamemor el
ayer
edandemotive,
andhispassionshonet hroughbri
ghtert
hanever
.

Witheachel
ectr
if
yingperf
ormanceonstage,hef eltanewf ound
senseoffr
eedom andeuphori
athathehadnev erexperienced
befor
e.Heknewwi thunwaver
ingcer
tai
ntythathewasexact ly
wherehewasmeantt obe,andnothi
ngcouldsnat chthataway
fr
om him.

Thehurt
fulwordsofSophi ahadnowbecomeadi st
antmemory
,
drownedoutbyt hethunderouscheer
sandappl
auseofhis
adori
ngaudience.Christi
anhaduneart
hedhi
str
uevoiceand
nothi
ngcouldeversilenceitagai
n.

36
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Ashegazedoutatt hecrowd,overwhelmedwithgratit
ude,hefel
t
hisheartswel
lwitharenewedstrengthandhisspi
ritsoarwith
resol
uteconfi
dence.Hestood,f
eelingeveryi
nchast ar,andknew
thatnot
hingcouldeverdi
m hisr
adi ance.

37
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er17:"
TheSchoolBul
lyi
ngAwar
enessWeek"

Theacademyannouncedthati
twouldbehostingaBul
lyi
ng
AwarenessWeek,wi
thworkshops,
ral
li
es,andperf
ormances
ai
medatpr omot
ingki
ndnessandincl
usiv
ity.

Christ
ianwast hri
l
ledtobeapartofi
t,shari
nghisown
experi
enceswi thbul
ly
ingandhowithadaf f
ectedhim.He
perfor
medapower fulsong,
"Ri
seAbove,"whichresonat
eddeepl
y
withthestudents.

Sophi
a,whohadbeenquietl
yobserv
ingfr
om thesidel
ines,
was
movedtotearsbyChri
sti
an'
sperf
ormance.Shereali
zedthehar
m
shehadcausedandthepainshehadinf
li
cted.

Fort
hef i
rstti
me,Sophiasawt heer
rorofherwaysandbegant
o
makeamends.Sheapol ogizedtoChrist
ianandst
art
edto
vol
unteerfort
heanti
-bull
yi
ngcampai gn.

Theschool cametoget
her,
unitedagai
nstbul
l
ying,
andChrist
ian'
s
confi
dencesoared.Heknewt hathehadmadeadiffer
enceand
thathi
svoicewasbeingheard.

38
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er18:"
TheI
nspi
ri
ngSpeech"

Chr
ist
ianstoodonstage,hi
shear
tpoundi
ngwithexci
tementand
ner
ves.Helookedoutatthecr
owdofstudent
s,t
eachers,and
par
ents,al
lgat
heredfort
heBull
yi
ngAwarenessWeekr al
l
y .

"We'vebeengivenagift,
"hebegan,hisvoiceclearandstrong.
"Thegif
tofv oi
ce,ofexpressi
on,ofcr
eativ
ity.Butwiththatgi
ft
comesar esponsibi
li
ty.Aresponsi
bil
it
ytouseourwor dstoupli
ft
,
toinspi
re,andtospreadloveandkindness."

Hepaused,
scanni
ngt
hecr
owdwi
thapassi
onat
egaze.

"We'veallbeenaffectedbybully
ing,ei
therasvi
cti
msoras
witnesses.Butwecan' tleti
tdefi
neus.Wehav etori
seabovei
t,
touseourv oicestocr eateaworldwhereever
yoneistr
eat
edwith
dignit
yandr espect.
"

Thecr
owdwasent
ranced,
hangi
ngonhi
sev
erywor
d.

"
Let'
schoosetobet
hel
ighti
nthedarkness,
"Chri
sti
ancont
inued.
"
Let'
schoosetobet
hehopeinthedespai
r.Let
'
schoosetobet he
l
oveint
hehate."

39
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Ashef inishedspeaki
ng,t
hecrowder upt
edi
ntocheersand
applause, i
nspi
redbyChri
sti
an'swords.I
twasamomentt hat
wouldber ememberedforalongti
me, amomentthatwoul
d
changet hecourseofli
ves.

40
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er19:"
TheTur
ningPoi
nt"

Ther al
lymarkedaturni
ngpointforChri
sti
anandtheenti
re
school.Itwasamomentofr eckoning,
amomentoft r
uth.The
students,t
eacher
s,andpar
entshadcomet oget
hert
osayenough
wasenough.

Bull
yingwoul
dnolongerbetoler
ated,andki
ndnessandempathy
wouldbethenewstandard.Chri
sti
an'
sspeechhadsparkeda
mov ement
,amovementthatwoul dspreadf
arbeyondthe
school'
swall
s.

Sophia,whohadoncebeenChr i
sti
an'
stor
mentor
,wasnowhi
s
al
ly.Together
,theyworkedtocr
eateasaf
eandwelcomi
ng
envir
onmentforallst
udents.

Theschool
admini
str
ati
ontooknoti
ce,andsoon,poli
ciesand
progr
amswereputi
nplacetosupportt
heanti
-bull
yi
ngmov ement
.

Chri
sti
an'
scouragehadsparkedarevolut
ion,
ar ev
oluti
onof
ki
ndnessandcompassion.Hehadf oundhistr
uev oi
ce,andhe
wasusingitt
omakeadi ff
erence.

41
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er20:"
TheUnseenSt
rengt
hReveal
ed"

Ast heant
i-
bul
lyi
ngmovementgainedmomentum,Christ
ian'
s
strengt
handresi
li
encewer
erevealedtot
heenti
reschool
.Hehad
facedhisf
earsandover
comethem, andi
ndoingso,hadinspi
red

42
Theunseenst
rengt
h

ot
her
stodot
hesame.

Hisv oice,oncesi
lencedbybull
ying,
wasnowheardloudandclear
,
i
nspiringot her
stofindthei
rownv oi
ce.Hi
scour
agehad
unleashedawav eofkindnessandcompassi
on,andtheschool
wasf or ev
erchanged.

ButChri
sti
an'
sstrengthwasn'
tjustseeninhi
spubli
cvict
ori
es;
it
wasalsoseeninhispriv
atest
ruggles.Hehadfacedhi
sown
demons,andhadcomeoutont op.Hehadlearnedtof
orgiv
e,t
o
heal
,andtomov eforward.

Andindoingso,hehadr
eveal
edastrengt
hthatfewknewhehad.
Astrengt
hthatwasnotj
ustaboutov
ercomingbull
yi
ng,butabout
over
comingoneself
.

43
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er21:"
TheApol
ogyandFor
giveness"

SophiaandChri
sti
ansatdowntogether
,facet oface,f
orthefi
rst
ti
mesi ncet
hebull
yinghadst
art
ed.Thetensionwaspal pable,
but
theybothknewtheyneededt
ohavet hi
sconv ersat
ion.

Sophiatookadeepbreathandbegantospeak, herv
oice
tr
embling."
Chri
sti
an,Iam sosor
ryforwhatIdidt oyou.Iwas
j
ealousandinsecur
e,andItooki
toutony ou.Iknowt hat'
sno

44
Theunseenst
rengt
h

ex
cuse,
andI
'
m deepl
ysor
ry.
"

Chri
sti
anl
ookedather
,hi
seyessearchi
ng."
Whydidyoudoi
t,
Sophi
a?Whydidyoufeel
theneedtohurtmesobadl
y?"

Sophiashookherhead."
Idon'tknow,Chr
ist
ian.Iwaslostand
confused,andImadeaterri
blemist
ake.ButIpromiseyou,Iwi
ll
neverhurtyouagai
n.Iwi
lldoeveryt
hingi
nmypowert omakeit
ri
ght."

Christ
ianlookedather,
andfort
hefi
rstti
me,hesawthehurtand
painbehindhereyes.Hesawthevul
nerabi
li
tyandt
hefear
.Andin
thatmoment ,hefor
gaveher
.

"Sophi
a,Iforgi
veyou,"hesai
d,hi
svoi
cefi
rm."
Butit'
snotj
ust
aboutme.I t
'saboutallt
hepeopl
eyouhur
twit
hy ourwor
dsand
acti
ons.Youneedt omakeamendswi t
hthem t
oo."

Sophi
anodded,tear
sstreamingdownherf
ace."Iwi
ll
,Chr
ist
ian.I
promi
se.Iwi
llspendtherestofmyli
femaki
ngitri
ght.
"

Andwit
hthat
,Sophi
aandChr i
sti
anbeganthelongj
ourneyof
heal
i
ngandredempt
ion.Theyworkedtoget
hertohel
pothers,
to

45
Theunseenst
rengt
h

spreadkindnessandcompassion,andt
ocr
eat
eawor
ldwher
e
everyonecouldfeel
safeandvalued.

Chapt
er22:"
TheNewBegi
nni
ng"

AsSophi aandChri
sti
anworkedtoget
her
,theyreal
i
zedthatthei
r
j
our neywasnotj
ustaboutmakingamends,butaboutst
art
ing
anew.Theyhadbeengi v
enasecondchance,andtheywere
determinedtomakethemostofit.

Theschool,
onceaplaceoffearandanxi
ety
,wasnowaplaceof
hopeandjoy.Thest
udent
s,oncedivi
dedandhurt
,wer
enow

46
Theunseenst
rengt
h

uni
tedandsuppor
ti
ve.

Chri
st i
anandSophia'sfr
iendshi
pwasabeaconoflight
,a
reminderthateveninthedarkestofti
mes,t
her
eisalwaysaway
for
war d.Theyhadfoundanewbegi nni
ng,
anewchancetoli
ve,
to
l
ove, andtolaugh.

Ast heywalkedthroughtheschool hal

ls,handinhand,t
heyknew
thattheywouldalway sbethereforeachot her
.Theyhadfounda
bondt hatwouldlastalif
eti
me, abondt hatwouldhel
pthem
overcomeanyobst acl
ethatcamet hei
rway .

Thest oryofChrist
ianandSophiawasat est
amenttothepower
offorgiveness,t
hepowerofredempt i
on,andthepowerofnew
beginnings.Itwasar emi
nderthatnomatterwhatwehavedone,
orwhathasbeendonet ous,
weal wayshavethepowertostar
t
again.

47
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er23:"
TheSchoolPl
aySuccess"

Thedayoft
heschoolpl
ayf
inal
l
yarri
ved,andChr
ist
ianand
Sophi
a'
shardworkpai
doff
.Theaudi
tori
um waspacked,andt
he
ener
gywaselect
ri
c.

Chri
sti
antookthestage,
hisvoi
ceboomingandconfi
dent
.Sophi
a
shoneinhersuppor
tingr
ole,
hertal
entanddedi
cat
ionevi
denti
n
ever
yscene.

48
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Theplaywasaresoundingsuccess,wi
tht
heaudi
encecheeri
ng
andapplaudi
ngf
ormor e.Chri
sti
anandSophi
atookthei
rfi
nal
bow,beamingwi
thprideandgrati
tude.

Theirf
ri
endshiphadblossomedint
oapower ful
partner
ship,and
thei
rcoll
aborati
onhadcreat
edsomethi
ngt r
ulyspecial
.Theyhad
proventhateventhemostunli
kel
yoffr
iendscouldachiev
egr eat
thi
ngstogether.

Ast
heycel
ebr
atedbackstage,Chri
sti
anturnedtoSophi
aand
smi
l
ed."
Wedidit,
"hesaid,hiseyesshini
ngwithjoy
.

Sophiagri
nned,
herey
esspar kl
i
ngwi t
htear
s."
Wesur
edi
d,"she
repl
i
ed."Andwemadei thappentoget
her.
"

Theschoolpl
aywasat ri
umph,atest
amenttothepowerof
fr
iendshi
pandteamwork.Chr
ist
ianandSophi
ahadf oundanew
passion,
anewtalent
,andanewappreci
ati
onforeachother
.

Andast heywal
kedoffst
age,ar
minar
m,t
heyknewt
hatt
hei
r
fr
iendshi
pwouldlastali
fet
ime.

49
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er24:"
ThePr
oudMoment
"

Theni
ghtoftheschoolplay'
ssuccess,
Chr
isti
anrelat
ivewi
th
pri
deastheywatchedtheirsonshi
neonstage.Theyhadal
ways
knownhehadtalent,
butthiswassomethi
ngspecial.

Ast heyhuggedhim backst

age,
tearsofj
oystr
eamingdownthei
r
faces,Chri
sti
anfel
tasenseofprideandaccompl
ishmenthehad
neverfel
tbefore.

50
Theunseenst
rengt
h

"We'
resopr
oudofy
ou,
son,
"hi
sfat
hersai
d,hi
svoi
cechokedwi
th
emoti
on.

Chr
ist
iansmil
ed,feel
i
ngasenseofv al
i
dat
ionandlov
e."Thanks,
Mom andDad,"hesaid,
hisv
oicef
il
ledwit
hgrat
it
ude."Thi
s
meansever
ythingtome."

Sophi
a'spar
entswereal
soinattendance,andt heyt
oowere
over
whelmedwithpri
de.Theyhadseent heirdaught
ergr
owand
fl
ouri
shinwaystheynevert
houghtpossible.

Asthet wofamili
esmetandcongratul
atedeachother,
Christ
ian
andSophiasharedamomentofpur ejoyandt r
iumph.Theyhad
doneit.Theyhadachi
evedsomethingtrul
yspecial
,andtheyhad
doneittogether
.

Inthatmoment ,theyknewthatthei
rfri
endshi
pwasunbr eakabl
e,
andt hattheywouldalwaysbetheretosupportandcel
ebrate
eachot her'
ssuccesses.

Theproudmomentwaset
chedinthei
rmemori
esforev
er,
a
remi
nderoft
hepoweroff
ri
endshi
pandteamwork.

51
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Chapt
er25:"
TheBr
ightFut
ure"

AsChristi
anandSophi alookedoutatthecheer i
ngcrowd, t
hey
knewthatt hei
rfuturewasbr i
ght.Theyhadf oundaf r
iendshi
pthat
wouldlastal i
fet
ime, andtheyhaddiscoveredtalent
sand
passi
onst hatwoul dguidethem ontheirj
ourney.

Chr
ist
ian'
smusi
candSophi
a'
swr
it
inghadbr
oughtt
hem t
oget
her
,

52
Theunseenst
rengt
h

andnowtheywereunst
oppable.Theyhadplanst
ostar
taband,
towri
tesongsandst
ori
esthatwouldinspi
reandupl
i
ftother
s.

Theyknewt hatther
ewoul dbechall
engesahead,
buttheywere
readytofacet hem together
.Theyhadlear
nedtoembracethei
r
diff
erences,tosupporteachother'
sdreams,andt
oli
fteachother
upwhent heroadgott ough.

Astheywalkedof f
stage,ar
mi narm,theyknewthatthei
rfuture
wasfullofpromiseandpossibil
i
ty.Theywerenolongerjusttwo
i
ndivi
duals;t
heywer eateam,aduo, apart
nershi
pthatwould
changethewor l
d.

Andso, t
heylookedoutatthebrighthor
izon,r
eadyt
otakeon
whatevercamenext ,
knowingthatthei
rfri
endshi
pwoul
dbethe
gui
dingli
ghtthatledtheway.

Theend.

53
Theunseenst
rengt
h

Acknowl
edgement

54
Theunseenst
rengt
h

"Iwanttoexpressmyhear tf
eltgrat
itudetomydearpar ent
,Mr s.CharityAni,
whoseunwav eringloveandguidancehav ebeenmyr ockthroughoutt his
j
ourney.Ideeplyappreci
atemysi bl
ings'encouragementandunder st
andi ng,
whichhavelif
tedmeupdur i
ngchallengingti
mes.Mydearf riendChristian,
yourfr
iendshipandinspir
ati
onhav eill
uminatedmypat handf uel
edmy
passi
on.Iam indebtedtoallofyouf oryourunwav er
ingsuppor t,
whichhas
madeat angibleimpactonmyl if
e.Thanky ouforbeingmypi ll
arsof
str
ength."

55