When we were growing up, our brother, Bobby, who was small for his age, was being bullied by a big kid in the neighborhood. It was a bit surprising, since Bobby was beloved by nearly every kid in the neighborhood for his good looks, toughness, and athletic abilities. Yet for some reason, this neighborhood bully didn’t like him. One day, when my brother had had enough, our easy-going father stepped it and made a suggestion, “Bob, the only way to get rid of a bully is to stand up to him. I think you should fight him.”
Our brother, who was known for his toughness, agreed and challenged his bully to fight at our home one Saturday.
Our not-so-easy going mother was horrified when my father told her the plan. “Saint Anthony Tony! He’s so much bigger than Bobby. He’s going to kill him.”
“Vi,” our father said. “He has to stand up to him. It’s the only way it’s gonna stop.”
The fight was the Main Event in our neighborhood, as scores of kids gathered around to watch our beloved brother take on the the neighborhood bully. (“Get him Bob!” they yelled.) Our parents and the two of us watched from high above in our family’s porch (where our mother had hung rosary beads). The tension was high as both boys got in their punches. Even our mother was getting in to it, fluttering around and punching at the air. “Good right jab, Bob!”
However, it didn’t take long for both boys to become bloodied and battered. At one point, our brother, who had always suffered from bloody noses, was gushing with blood, However, he wanted to keep going.
“Tony, stop the fight!” Our mother yelled to her father. “Bobby is bleeding. I think he might be really hurt.”
“Yeah Daddy, please. He’s gonna kill my brother,” cried Gina.
Our father, who had been in his share of fights as a kid, warned us. “Not yet. He needs to see this through.”
A few minutes latter, Bobby landed a punch that split the bully’s lips. At that point with both boys bloodied, my father went down and stopped the fight.
The fight probably would have been called a draw, as both boys gave it their all, but Bobby was the one who earned the greatest victory when the bully came up to him and shook his hand. “Good fight.”
From that day on, the bully left Bobby alone. Eventually, they became friends.
Today, fighting back isn’t so easy. Especially, if you’re a child with special needs who may not stand a physical chance. Yet on those rare occasions when a child is able to strike back at their bully, you can’t help but applaud. Take a look at the video link below of a child who does just that. We can’t help but wonder what the bully will do now? Tell us what you think.
