“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
Hands on hips
Chest puffed out
She stood tall

“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
She looked him straight in the eye
Head held high
He looked her straight in the eyes
Curiosity written plainly on his face

“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
It was a summer’s day
The sun shone brightly, high in the sky
Morning was becoming afternoon
A light breeze, neither hot nor cool, raised the hairs on the back of her neck
And the few that had escaped her two tight braids

“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
Her warm brown skin shone in the late morning sun, almost the same color as he was
Her light summer dress ended just below her knees
The top was fitted but flared out just above her waist
The puffed short sleeves led to the collar at her neck, ironed with great care
The brightly colored calico stood out, a bit out of place in the large grassy pasture
The thick green grass tickled her ankles, the earth still slightly damp beneath her bare feet

“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
She stepped forward, removing one hand from her hip and shaking her pointer finger at him
“You gotta stop eating mama’s flowers
You know how much she loves ‘em, how carefully she tends ‘em, they’re her pride and joy
She always sayin’ how it don’t matter that our house ain’t fancy
Cuz nobody gonna notice with her flowers all pretty out front, all different kinds and colors
Daddy’ll fix the fence when he gets back, until then you gotta behave yourself, mister”
He looked down sheepishly, then raised his eyes and gave her a sorrowful remorse-filled look

“At one time, there was a defiant little girl, standing in front of the bull, like this…”
He snorted softly right in her face and began to affectionately nibble her hair
She giggled, “Darn it, you know I can’t stay mad atchu”
She threw her arms around his neck, giving him a warm comforting hug, cheek against his
She released him, smiling friendship, and began to softly stroke the soft fur of his face
She paused and looked around before reaching into the pocket sewn to the front of her dress
When she pulled it back out she held a flower in her hand
She looked at him seriously, “You gotta promise not to tell mama,” her bright smile returned
The flower rested on her open palm, she held it out to him, “But I know they’re your favorite”