Thistle Boy
Prickly outside can mean soft inside.
What this friend is telling you
Thistle Boy lives on the misty highland moor, dressed in purple thistle — the flower that is all spikes on the outside and soft as down in the middle. The spikes exist to protect the soft part. Some people are built that way too. The kid who acts tough and snaps at everyone might be guarding a soft, hurt middle. And you are allowed some prickles yourself. "No" and "stop" are good, strong words. Just do not let your prickles do all your talking.
Watch out for…
judging the prickly kid before you know what their spikes are protecting.
Try this
Next time someone snaps at you, wait one beat before snapping back. Quietly wonder: "What might be hurting them?"