It was the end of the school term. Our headteacher announced at the school parade that everyone was to have a new school uniform the following term.

I was very happy since I had overgrown my old school uniform. My shoes were also very old and torn.

At the end of that day, we began a two-week holiday.

When I reached home, I told my parents about the new school uniform required by the school.

Mother took me to our neighbor, Mama Sarah, the community tailor.

Mama Sarah took my measurements. I was so excited. Mama Sarah promised to have my uniform ready the following weekend.

As we returned home, we planned to go to the market to buy my new shoes.

However, the rains were so heavy that it was not possible for us to go.

Father promised that on his way from work, he would pass by the Kongowea Market to buy the shoes for me.

I told him I needed nice black shoes, size number 5.

When Father came home, I was surprised to see that he had bought me ankle-high black boots with laces.

They were different from the school shoes my friends had. They fitted me perfectly and I practiced walking around in them.

On Monday morning, I woke up early, ate my breakfast and went to school. Everyone looked smart in the new school uniform.

During the morning parade, the headteacher announced, "Those of you who do not have new uniform, have one week to get it."

When we went to class, my classmates noticed how my shoes were different from everyone else's. They called me names and laughed at me for the whole week.

What hurt me most was when my desk-mate, Brian, mocked me and my shoes. He even imitated the way I walked.

I started crying until our class teacher came to class. Teacher Anyango called me out and asked what was wrong.

I explained how Brian and my classmates were bullying me because of my shoes.

Teacher Anyango talked to the class and told them to stop. She took time to explain that everyone is different and that my shoes were OK since they were black.

Brian and others were warned about bullying me because of my shoes. Teacher Anyango told us that it was bad behaviour to bully others.

That weekend, I told my father that I wanted new different shoes.

When he asked me why, I told him, "My classmates are treating me badly. I feel different from everyone else."

Father said, "It is OK to be different. You are different and you should be proud of this. Every child in your school is different."

He did not have money to buy me another pair of shoes for that term. He promised that he would buy them once he got some money.

With those comforting words from my father, the whole of the term I wore my black boots to school with pride.

I knew that it was OK to be different.