Don't Drink Bees

Brother, sister
Teasing
Poking, prodding
Out of boredom

Mother sighs, "Please stop or this might escalate."

Brother, sister
Arguing
Yelling, name-calling
Over a game move

Mother says, "Please stop before it escalates."

Brother, sister
Fighting
Biting, scratching
Over a favorite toy

Mother cries, "Please stop. This is escalating."

Brother, sister
Brawling
Rolling, punching
Over the principle of the thing

Mother screams, "I told you two to STOP!! NOW!!"

Brother, sister
Stop
Move away from Mother
Incline heads toward each other, hold conference

They whisper, "What's her problem?"
They shrug. "She's grumpy. Let's play somewhere else."

Brother, sister
Leave
Shaking their heads at Mother
Arms linked in alliance

Mother thinks, "Why didn't I do that in the first place?"