Stranger!!! Stranger!!!

This story is about a little boy, he must have been around 9 or 10 at the time, perhaps 7 or 8.  I do know that this story happened in the mid 1990’s.  He will be 38 years old very soon!!!  So, first things first, Happy Birthday!  I will not mention his name here, but if he would like to come forward and comment (or any of his relatives), it will be fine with me.  Haha!

There was a grocery store in town here called Wilb Walker’s.  I had just walked in and I saw this little guy come walking in to the store but he did not see me.  I know for sure that I had my little boy with me, but I am not certain that my little girl was around yet.  I made certain that they were quiet and I came up behind him and threw my arms around him and gave him a huge hug!

To my surprise, he started yelling at the top of his lungs, “STRANGER!! STRANGER!!!”  He started kicking his little legs and he was flailing his arms trying to break loose. Actually, I do not know why this surprised me at all.  He could not see who grabbed him so this is exactly what he should have done!  He was a student of  Tae Kwon Do and as far as I know, he was for a very long time and he was very proud of it.  Perhaps that training is what taught him this reaction.  No offense here to anyone, but he seemed to be such a small little guy and he was so cute in his Tae Kwon Do … I will say apparel … because I do not know what it is called.  **Google Results — Taekwondo uniforms (typically called a dobok; also commonly known as a gi, but that is the Japanese word for them) are common for practitioners to wear. They are usually a plain, white, v-neck heavy cotton top with pants that have an elastic waist.**

Anyway, I immediately let go of him.  I felt so stupid for not thinking about him having that reaction and I felt terrible for scaring him.  I was embarrassed as everyone was looking at me. However, at the same time, I was looking around for authorities to come and take me!  Haha.  His mother appeared within seconds as she was just a bit behind him.  (I cannot remember if both of his sisters were with them or not.) We were laughing.  His mother thought it was very funny.  You would think when he found out who I was and when his mother arrived, that that would be the end of it.  But, no!

This little fellow proceeded to tell me off for doing that.  Then, he went on to lecture me how it was totally the wrong thing to do to children.  I wish I could remember his exacting wording, but it has been so long ago.  He instructed me on the ways of the world and how there were evil people who would take children.  He spoke much more eloquently than I am about the situation.  Like I said, I cannot remember his wording.  I hate to admit it, and his sister’s probably will hate that I said it, but he sounded brilliant.  His mother tried to end his lecture but he would have no part of it.  He HAD to let me know.  As a matter of fact, he seemed downright angry!  I can still see his face and his eyes.  Yes, I think angry would be the appropriate description.  Haha.  As he was telling me off, he kept turning to walk away and then he would come back as he remembered more to say to me and the entire time he was pointing his little finger at me.  You just had to be there to appreciate it.  So cute and so funny while so appropriate.

I was thinking about the world and how dangerous it is for children today and this story of my little friend came to mind so I had to share it.  It was not nearly as bad back then, but he knew to be careful.  Good job little guy! Do you remember this?