Brad was fed up with his neighbor’s son repeatedly ringing his doorbell and running off. Despite raising the issue, the boy’s mother dismissed it, saying, “He’s just being a boy.” Determined to stop the pranks, Brad took action.
The next morning, he put up a “Beware of Dog” sign and set up realistic barking sounds to play when the doorbell rang. When the boy tried his prank again, the loud growls startled him, sending him running home in tears. Brad’s plan worked—no more doorbell dashes.
That evening, the boy’s furious mother texted Brad, upset that her son had cried all afternoon and questioning his approach. Brad wondered if he’d gone too far. He hadn’t meant to scare the child, only to reclaim his peace without escalating things further.
Reflecting, Brad considered if a calmer approach might have avoided the drama. Still, he hoped the prank phase was over. He thought about suggesting a middle ground to his neighbor—acknowledging kids’ antics but stressing mutual respect. Everyone deserves to feel at ease at home, and Brad hoped this would mark the end of the prank war for good.
