applied history
Posted: January 6, 2013 Filed under: history, pearls of wisdom | Tags: bully, fighting back, history, my history 29 Comments »The bus trip from ninth grade to senior high was more than just distance. It took us from princes to paupers. No longer boldly roaming the halls, we timidly crept about in awe of the juniors and seniors who were in control. Most seniors ignored us like the ants we were, but some took advantage. We heard that one senior, a big farm kid who’s beard was so thick it required him to shave over lunch to meet the no facial hair dress code was roughing up kids and taking their lunch money.
One lunch period Jimmy N and I rounded the corner to put our books away and there he was. He glowered at us, big as a house in his overalls and plaid farmer shirt. He pushed Jimmy against the hall and demanded his lunch money. Jimmy was skinny and one half the size, but he was made of spit and gristle. “Just let me put my books down”, Jimmy offered.
The burly bully shoved Jimmy toward the shelves and Jimmy methodically placed his books there. Then grabbing the four hundred page history book with both hands, Jimmy spun and whacked this Goliath on the side of the head as hard as he could. It sounded like a cannon shot and took everyone by surprise. Mouths agape, we watched the big senior deflate like a popped balloon. We left him in the hallway. He never bothered anyone again.
That was the best lesson of applied history I have ever seen.
Applied History.
those big history books had some use!
If you really apply history, it’s a powerful force!!
Jimmy agreed!
He threw the book at him!
literally!
Great title and story – I love it! Go Jimmy go!
he was a marvel!
as are you my friend!
The things I missed out on in homeschool
( smile )
he spoke the language of his attacker … sometimes we have to lower ourselves to be heard,
Hello — that’s a really good point I hadn’t considered. I often say for kids, that they can’t come where we are, we have to go to them.
In the case of bullies, that can’t listen, or won’t listen. I think they hurt inside in a way that can’t be expressed through love.
Many have never learned to express themselves. I’m still learning today. The next step is to learn to express yourself in a polite way. And there I still have to learn a lot. And the last step is to tune your expression in such a way that the listener doesn’t get upset, neither by the news, neither by the messenger, which is often not possible due to impolite listening.
communication requires both a listener and source. My mind jumps to schools where listening ( learning ) is absent. Then is it listening, or the expectations of the source? I have to reflect on this.
LOL! Love the story, title, and punch line, Bill. Thank you for sharing them.
Russ
Jimmy was a character. By the time he was a senior he played defensive end and then wrestled at 126.
great story and title. I like the comments. I guess he got the word. All 400 pages of them.
thanks, proof the pen is mightier that the sword?
yup
ahaha applied history!
lol that is so cool!
as Bert posted, that was the only language the bully understood. Glad to see you stop by, and I think your stand was courageous.
Yep, sometimes a smack on the head is what some people need. And thank you
Clever! A very good spin. They all are.
thanks Jamie — as true as memory can make them.
I am really glad you stopped by.