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The Story of Ferdinand
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"The Story of Ferdinand" Quotes

A gentle bull named Ferdinand prefers smelling flowers over fighting in the bullring.

Quotes

I like to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.

Munro Leaf

appreciationpeace

His mother saw that he was not lonesome, and because she was an understanding mother, even though she was just a cow, she let him just sit there and be happy.

Munro Leaf

acceptancehappiness

But Ferdinand just liked to sit in the shade and smell the flowers.

Munro Leaf

relaxationenjoyment

And even when they took him to the bullfighting arena to fight, he still wouldn't fight.

Munro Leaf

nonviolenceindividuality

I am Ferdinand and I do not want to fight!

Munro Leaf

peaceful protestself-expression

It made the picadors so mad that they cried, 'Toro! Toro!' and pricked him with their lances.

Munro Leaf

provocationresilience

His mother came up to him and stamped her hoof. 'Come away from that nonsense! You must be a good fighting bull and grow up to be fierce and wild!'

Munro Leaf

expectationsindividuality

But Ferdinand just snorted and tossed his head.

Munro Leaf

defiancenonconformity

Ferdinand ran to the middle of the ring and everyone shouted and clapped because they thought he was going to fight fiercely and butt and snort and stick his horns around.

Munro Leaf

misunderstandingsurprise

But not Ferdinand. When he got to the middle of the ring, he saw the flowers in all the lovely ladies' hair, and he just sat down quietly and smelled.

Munro Leaf

appreciationpeace