Page 18 - Fables volume 2

Wanda cried, “I won’t turn the other cheek
To any bully who just hit my beak!
Wouldn’t it be better if I kicked him
Than to just become another victim?”

The watcher replied, “That way lies madness,
And badness and sadness—never gladness.
Circles of escalation follow your cue:
Vicious or virtuous—it’s up to you.”

“I do not agree,” said Wanda sincerely.
“Such people should be punished severely.
Revenge not soothing is what is needed;
Otherwise limits will go unheeded.”

The silicon brain had a fast retort:
“Responding with force is a last resort.”
She didn’t like that, and kept demanding,
“What counts is who is the last one standing.”

“No. It’s a matter for authorities
Chosen to enforce the majority’s
Will in cases of criminal breaches:
An individual overreaches.”

“What,” wondered Wanda, “if I’m an adult,
And someone gives me a dreadful insult?
That’s not a crime but I really must speak:
Otherwise people will think that I’m weak.”