Tony Ross skillfully presents the problem of bullying, managing to engage sympathy for each side of the storyA little boy is wondering why he is bullied by his classmate Peregrine Ffrogg. He asks himself various questions: Is it because he misses his mum? Is it because he still sucks his thumb? Is it because he smells like a pike? Is it because he can"t ride a bike? And the questions he asks leads him to a greater understanding of himself and the bully. He comes to the conclusion that Peregrine Ffrogg is unhappy, and jealous of him.