The Neighborhood Bully

“Hey Jake!” called Midge and Booker-T as they came through the gate to the front yard.

“Hi you two,” greeted Jake. “What are you doing this morning? I didn't think you would be here til later.”

“We are ready to do something with this bully across the street from me,” said Midge. “The sooner the better.”

“What are we going to do?” asked Jake. “We don't know if what we did yesterday worked yet.”

“We might try the same type thing as we did yesterday,” said Booker-T.

“How do we do that?” asked Jake. We don't have a pond in the neighborhood to push him into.”

“I know,” said Midge. “Booker-T and I talked about that on our way over here.”

“So what is your plan to stop this bully?” asked Jake.

“Not really sure yet,” said Booker-T. “But we have to come up with some kind of plan to stop him from bullying the others.”

“We can start by following the kids when they go to school,” said Midge. “And watch him to see what he is going to do.”

“Okay,” said Jake. “That is a start.”

“Here come a group of the kids now on their way to school,” said Jake. “Lets go follow them, but keep your distance til we are needed.”

The three friends followed the group of kids, staying in the yards and trying to stay out of sight of the bully. They soon saw the bully appear from behind a tree and stop two of the girls. He started to demand money from them. The three came up behind the girls and Jake stood staring at the bully as he lowered his head and took two steps forward. The bully stood staring at Jake, but didn't make a move to leave. Midge walked slowly and quietly up behind the bully. Jake took a couple more steps toward the boy and Midge took her position behind the boy and waited. Jake continued to slowly step toward the bully. The bully took two steps backward and fell over Midge to the ground. Jake quickly moved toward the bully and stood above him staring into his face. Booker-T leaped upon the boys chest and hissed at him. The boy quickly jumped to his feet and backed away from them. When he was clear of them, he turned and ran toward the school. The two girls just stood in amazement at what just happened. The three turned and walked away from the girls as they started to continue their walk to the school.

“I think we did good Jake,” said Midge.

“I do too,” said Booker-T. “You were great Jake and Midge, that was good idea to stand behind the boy so Jake could back him up enough to fall over you.”

“I hope he got the message,” said Midge.

“We will watch him this afternoon when it is time for them to come home from school and see what he does,” said Jake. “I hope it worked.”

“I don't know what else we can do,” said Booker-T. “Maybe we can think of something else before the day is over. I will keep thinking about it.”

“Have you seen Gabby today?” asked Midge. “Sometimes he has some good ideas.”

“I haven't seen him since yesterday morning,” said Jake.

“I haven't either,” said Booker-T.

“Lets go to the park and wait for the afternoon,” said Jake.

“Ok,” agreed Midge. “I want to be sure we don't miss the kids when they come out of the school.”

“We can play at that end of the park and watch the school from there,” said Booker-T.

The three ran up the sidewalk to the corner where they crossed to the park. The school where the kids went was across the park from where they entered the park. The quickly ran to the other side and there on a tree limb sat Gabby.

“Hey Gabby!” called Jake. “Where have you been?” We have been looking all over for you.”

“What is going on?” asked Gabby. “I've been around the park mostly the last couple days.”

“We are trying to get rid of a bully and thought you might be able to help with the problem,” said Booker-T.

“Oh my,” said Gabby. “A bully. That is no good. Where does he live?”

“He lives across the street from me,” said Midge. “He is mean to the kids in the neighborhood, pushing them around and stealing their lunch money when they go to school. He has gotten some boys together and they have been bullying Snappy by throwing rocks at him in his pond.”

“I think I know who you are talking about,” said Gabby. “I saw him bullying a little girl yesterday afternoon.”

“You saw him?” asked Midge.

“Yes,” said Gabby. “That is why I am sitting here watching the school. When the kids come out, I am not going to let him bully her again.”

“Oh great Gabby,” said Booker-T. “How are you going to stop him?”

“I am going to pounce on his little head,” said Gabby.

“Oh, that might do something,” said Midge. “We stopped him from bullying a couple of little girls this morning and think we got him to stop tossing rocks at Snappy now. Maybe this will stop him from bullying anyone else.”

“I hope so,” said Gabby. “We don't need a bully living here in the neighborhood.

The four of the waited and watched the school while they talked and laughed about different things. Soon they heard the school bell ring and saw some kids start to leave the school soon afterwards.

“Look over there,” said Gabby. “There is the bully now coming out the front doors.”

“I see,” said Midge. “What is he doing?”

“He is probably staying back to wait for the girls to come outside,” said Jake.

They watched to see what he would do. Soon three little girls from the near Midge's house, exited the school doors. The bully started to follow them and quickly caught up and passed them. When he got in front of them, he suddenly stopped and turned to face them. He raised his fist and hit the palm of his other hand with it. He demanded the girls give him some money or he would punch them hard.

“Okay guys,” said Gabby. “Watch this.”

Gabby flew into the air above the kids and in a quick swoop, he nose-dived toward the boy and poked him on top of the head with his beak and he flew up above him again. Another nose-dive down and again he poked the boy on the head. Jake, Midge and Booker-T ran and stood between the boy and the little girls. Jake stood firm with his head lowered and stared at the boy. Again, Gabby swooped down and poked the bully in the head.

One of the girls stepped forward and stood beside Jake and stared at the boy. She told him if it made him feel big to punch a girl, then go ahead, but everyone will see what a low little person he was for hitting a girl. About that time, another boy approached the area and stood beside the girl and Jake. He told the bully if he wanted to fight someone, how about he fight someone of his own kind and not a girl. The bully drew a line in the dirt and dared the boy to cross it. The boy stepped over the line and stared the bully in the face. The bully drew another line in the dirt and said cross this and placed a piece of wood on his shoulder telling the boy to knock this off. The boy didn't back down, he crossed the line and knocked the piece of wood off the bully's shoulder. Before long, the bully had backed down and made an excuse for needing to go home and ran toward his house.

“Jake, I think our bully will no longer bother anyone,” said Gabby.
“Good work Gabby,” said Midge. “I sure hope this time he got the message and will leave others alone.”

“I hope all will be good now,” said Booker-T.

The four agreed as they went back to the little pond to play with Snappy and let him know that the bully problem should be gone now.

Snappy was happy to see them. He now would feel safe once again in his home.