When diplomacy fails

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Brownies - not the pudding, the organisation. 

I was a Brownie for about five minutes, until by mutual agreement I wasn't. 

You see, my local Brownie troop's leader had two kids - a girl and a boy, similar in age to me and my younger brother. 

A couple days a week my brother and I walked or cycled the 3 miles home from school, along with a gaggle of other kids, most of whom lived a lot closer to the school than we did.

On those days, the Brownie leader's kids, one of whom was in the same troop as me, would bully my brother.

One of those days, I stood up to the bullies - to try to put a stop to the cajoling and hurtful remarks. The altercation moved from words to punches. Yep, I punched the boy (not the girl), ending my career as a Brownie (as well as the bullying).  

Violence is never a good path, however, when diplomacy failed to resolve the problem, I felt I had no other choice. I was seven.

As a consequence of my actions, I was chucked out of the beloved Brownie troop for demonstrating unBrownie-like behaviour.

To me, it seemed worth the sacrifice. The bullying stopped. We continued to walk or cycle past the bullies' house (on the way home from school).  My brother was happier.  

Turns out my little bro's happiness and wellbeing meant more to me than the arts and crafts.

I'd probably do it again - defend someone against a bully - no matter how much I liked the fluffy kid stuff.

Related and timely article: 9 Reasons why having brothers makes you happier