what happens to mateo on the bridge in silver voices
In the short story "Silver Voices" by Lea Wait, Mateo is a young boy who struggles with being bullied by his classmates. One day, he is confronted by the bullies on a bridge. They taunt and tease him, making fun of his stutter. Mateo becomes overwhelmed and tries to walk away, but the bullies continue to harass him.
However, Mateo's grandmother, Abuela, comes to his rescue. She steps in, giving him confidence and support. Abuela confronts the bullies and stands up for Mateo, telling them to leave him alone. Her intervention empowers Mateo to face his fears and stand up to the bullies himself.
Through Abuela's actions and encouragement, Mateo gains the strength and self-belief to overcome his bullies and find his voice. The story ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that Mateo will no longer be hurt by the bullies and will find his place in the world with newfound confidence.