Yup. Good advice. My dad told me to ignore the two bullies, that is, until they ruined my schoolbooks. He called their parents and asked for replacement. No surprise, they refused. Then gave me permission to react off school grounds...

Alas, for the bullies, he didn't mention the commensurate part... I'll spare you the gory details, but it's been close to 35 years since that fateful day and I still relish it as one of the most glorious ever.

They never bothered me again, nor did anyone else. The special ice cream with my dad that evening was the cherry on the cake...