[Redbob]

"My friend is a big guy with a short fuse who doesn't take crap from anyone - except this kid. He will literally ask/tell the child to do (or not do) the smallest thing and the kid will look right at him and defy him, as my friend just slumps his shoulders and caves."

Well, I'm exactly the same way - except for the "caving" part, that is.

My 9-year-old, who frequently gets us compliments for how well-behaved he is, has only tried defying me once, and that was a number of years ago.

[TigersEye]

...has only tried defying me once, and that was a number of years ago.

Well don't stop the story there. What did you do? Is his nickname Stumpy now? ;^)