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The Bull in the China Shop

Maximus the bull was beloved by many. People frequently would come and adore him in his pasture from afar. One day a man named Marcus came to see the bull. 


Marcus owned an antique store in town, and though few people came to see what was there, he owned many precious things. Decorated throughout the store were old books he’d never read, some cool records from the 80s, ancient arrowheads, and much more. Marcus even had some china dishes that dated back as early as the Ming Dynasty!


As Marcus observed Maximus behind the crowd, he was shocked to see the bull make direct eye contact with him. As soon as Maximus noticed Marcus, he became extremely excited. 


Maximus the bull had been tired of the same old thing day after day. He wanted a life more than was given to him inside the pasture, even though he loved it dearly. He had heard some people speak of Marcus as a man of great culture and charisma. He wanted to become like Marcus. So when he saw him that day – he went to go meet him.


To everyone’s terror – Maximus tried to climb over the fence! Marcus wasn’t too worried, surely the restrictions would protect him from something like this. Well, that wasn’t the case – and the bull excitedly wrestled his way awkwardly over the fence. 


Everyone burst from the scene in a flurry. Marcus watched as Maximus curiously and frantically went from panicked person to panicked person. Marcus ran towards a large fence. He knew if he vaulted over it, he would be unreachable and protected from the bull. Maximus saw Marcus running and bolted towards him again!


Safely on the other side of the fence Marcus was filled with relief – that’s until he saw Maximus the bull leap over the fence and land next to him. Marcus frantically climbed again to the top of the fence and stood there. Surely this would evade the bull now.  To his great astonishment, Maximus followed in his footsteps, and lept atop the fence. Marcus and Maximus ran on the top of the fence away from the crowd. 


Part of Marcus was relieved that he had drawn the bull away from the others – keeping them safe. He felt slightly heroic. And though he was scared out of his mind, he also felt this was extremely fun. 


Eventually the two ran back to Marcus’ antique shop in the town square. Marcus went inside his store and managed to hide from the bull for a time – the bull was distracted by other things in the town square. From his store window Marcus watched Maximus walk curiously and harmlessly around the square. He could see that though Maximus was dangerous, he could be reasoned with. Eventually Marcus went up to the bull and began to build a report. 


Marcus the store owner had a way of building trust with people almost instantly. He introduced himself, and the two quickly became friends. Marcus felt he could trust Maximus. Eventually, Marcus invited Maximus in for some tea. Maximus walked into the store fairly delicately. Marcus had explained that there were a lot of fragile things inside, and Maximus knew even that much from the conversations he overheard at the pasture. So the bull did his best to be careful. In spite of his best efforts, however, Maximus stepped on a book here and there. And even smashed one of Edison’s lightbulb prototypes on the shelf with his big long horns. 


Marcus cringed at seeing so many precious things so mindlessly destroyed. But he understood that though these things were precious, that his new friendship with this bull was also precious. So he tolerated the damage. And what did he expect, inviting a bull into his store? 



THE BULL CAME BACK day after day to enjoy some tea. And in spite of Marcus attempting to make his shop bull-proof – day after day the bull would accidentally destroy something. More and more items got moved off the shelves and into storage. Marcus began to wonder if this was worth it. He would try to explain to Maximus how precious these things were, and the bull would sincerely try to understand. But to little avail. 


Eventually, the bull got tired of coming into the store, he didn’t understand why the things inside were so precious. Marcus continued to vouch for his antiques, and in one final attempt brought out his china from the Ming dynasty. He just wanted so desperately for his friend to understand, and begged the bull to keep coming back to learn. After a very thoughtful explanation about porcelain and dynasties, the bull, more confused than ever, backed up quickly and smashed into a bookshelf. In a huff he turned around to leave. And as the bull turned quickly – his horn smashed the ancient china in Marcus’ hands! Distraught, Maximus the bull knew he had to leave for good. Marcus did as well. The bull burst through the front doors, quietly uttered “sorry,” and walked away.


Perhaps Maximus could’ve learned to love it there in the antique shop. Or perhaps Marcus could’ve continued to change his store to accommodate Maximus – but at what cost?


Maximus returned to the square and offered to just come into the entryway of the store. But Marcus knew that the bull wouldn’t understand what did or did not constitute as the entryway. So Marcus said no. Maximus eventually decided to start studying politics at the city hall. And as Maximus walked past his store on the way to the city hall, day after day. With fondness Marcus smiled and waved – and locked the door.

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