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Hey kids, sit here on the porch swing. Have a glass of iced tea. I have something very funny to tell you.
It really happened, not long ago, right here in town. This true story may produce a little insight into the reason we refer to aggressive, domineering folks as bullies.
My dad's good friend, Bob, had a large dairy farm with beautiful mountains in the background, a true bucolic setting. A rodeo came to town, complete with the standard snorting, bellicose bulls. Bob played a major role in this drama.
The last night, as the traveling broncobusters were heading up to move out, one fiercely huge, mind-of-his-own, hunk of longhorn made a snap decision and went AWOL. It is amazing how a massive animal wearing a big hat rack on his head, could slip away with no notice, but truth being stranger than fiction, he did!
He traveled for miles, moseying along our main four-lane, unconcerned that he was breaking news. This whopper sized king of cattle held the local constabulary hostage, because he could.
About six squad cars trailed behind him like cautious baby ducks. Slowly, they crept along with a powerful lantern trained on his every move as he veered off into yards or toward vehicles. I don't know if that was so he could see his next step, or in case they had to cuff him and read him his rights. His leatherneck, determined, bad attitude self was hide bound for an undisclosed destination. Who was going to stop him?
He hoofed a long distance with his faithful entourage and spotlight quietly bringing up the rear. Finally, he ended up at Bob's place. Having no manners, the bull simply crashed through the fence and made himself at home with the lovely bovine harem.
The police informed a surprised Bob about the pushy takeover. He had such a wonderful sense of humor. If Dad had not already gone to be with Jesus, they would have been on the phone sharing hysterical laughter over the situation.
Well, old Ferdinand, as some of us were wont to call him, took off into the woods in the north forty and could not be found. My guess is, he had just had enough and probably sneered, "I am one tired, mad cow and I refuse to take it anymore, I'm out of here."
Daylight brought a herd of veterinarians, rodeo folks, newspaper and television reporters, as well as curious neighbors and friends who were willing to venture an idea about how to proceed in the apprehension of Ferdinand. What they needed was a bull-whisperer. The property was searched thoroughly, to no avail. It was like he was invisible.
This went on for days. There were periodic updates on the take-over situation. Finally, after the rest of the buckaroo troop had moved on to their next date, one of Bob's sons spotted the stealthy steer. A small hoosegow corral was built, but with a little added incentive. Poor Ferdie, a sucker for a good cut of hay, ambled right into the stockade trap. A big truck came and hauled him back to his destiny.
One wonders if it was all worth that brief rest on a beautiful farm full of gorgeous dairy cows. The guy was so determined to take by force what struck his fancy. He had little resistance from anyone due to his large economy size and scary looks. Might does not make right.
Isn't that what people bullies do? They have some false sense of power and the Golden Rule does not seem to apply.
Even though we may understand the dynamics of the bully problem, it never seems to go away. We just follow along in the shadows, shining the light of psycho-babble on the situation until the browbeater crashes through a private enclosure and takes over, or until someone is smart enough to round him up, take the bull by the horns, and put a stop to the nonsense.
Bob has since joined Dad in heaven. they could be chuckling over the belligerent invader story. However, being Godly men, they would never take kindly to HUMAN bullies.
Either one would gently push his hat back so he could see, then simply say in a kind but firm way, "No, there will not be any weight thrown around here. You will be respectful and remember how to act. That means staying on the right side of that fence."
And that's what would have happened.
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