Good Old Days: Bullies

by Mildred Olson

Early 1940s:

Bullies. They come in any size, any age, from anywhere. The following proves this statement.

The family had recently moved to the city. The family? The parents and two young children. While their dad and mom were involved in arranging the house, the young ones amused themselves outside. The couple's six-year-old son played on the sidewalk in front of their home, while their three-year-old daughter sat on the lawn and played with her dolls.

Kelly was quiet, handsome, a sort of frail-looking little boy who would never hurt anyone. His sister resembled a beautiful doll, but was feisty. Suddenly her playing was interrupted by boys shouting and saying mean things to her brother. She noticed they were pushing him and pulling his shirt. No matter they were bigger and older, she rushed to where they were.

Clenching her tiny hands into tight fists, she put them under the nose of the biggest bully and shouted, “Leave him alone! He's me brudder!” Whether from shock or fear, the boys raced down the street and disappeared in a yard blocks away.

Neither she nor her brother were ever bothered again.

Those were the good old days, when a little, petite girl dared threaten a bully. Could that happen today?