No Place for Cowards

“That yellow-bellied, snake-blooded, lily-livered, chicken-hearted…” The Wild West had no lack of tasty and colorful epithets for a coward. We easily envision those dusty towns overflowing with all manner of lawlessness. Name calling, saloon brawls and gunfights were decidedly not the activity of choice for the weak or fearful. Tall and strong, a lawman would typically enter the scene. He was no coward. We relax as we know he will take the ruffians by the collar, and after soundly locking them up, peace would again prevail…until the next rash of cattle rustling, bank robbing and fighting.

Before the lawman enters the scene, the lawbreakers noisily take the town by storm, and the townspeople cower behind their mercantile shop counters, teller cages or the closed shutters of a barbershop. They’ll hand over anything the gunslingers want if only for a bit of peace. It’s hard to imagine the bowler-hatted banker, pasty-faced and stuttering stepping boldly onto the wooden sidewalk and taking charge of the situation. No, peace is found through the one in the white hat, strong-jawed, resolute, speaking calmly without backing down.

Sometimes, when grocery shopping, visiting a toy store, or in large social gatherings, I feel as though I have stepped onto one of those dusty streets. A child-brawler has taken the toy aisle or social setting by storm. Demanding his or her way, throwing a fit, or cry-screaming, the child-brawler will take over and cast his demands before the cowering parents. “Anything, anything” they mutter as they acquiesce and give the child whatever is demanded if only for a minute’s reprieve. It may be the candy which was previously denied, another child’s toy, or to be let down off the lap to run amok. Where is the Sheriff when you need him?

I’ve seen many a child hold a room hostage because of their willful screaming or demanding ways. Conversation ceases, a hush falls over the setting and all eyes watch the parent….will he be a Sheriff or a cowering banker? Will the mother or father calmly and resolutely take the situation in control, or hand over the booty? Will a minute’s peace really be worth the next tantrum?