In the video immediately below, a mongoose battles four lions.
Mongooses are famous, of course, for fighting cobras and other snakes, even if they do so rarely.
These mammals are unremarkable in appearance, and ordinarily unassuming in manner. They’d rather avoid battling with venomous reptiles, for example, despite their renown in doing so.
In deadly encounters, however, their abilities (agility, tenacity, heavy coats, resistance to snake venom) make them formidable, even in combat against poisonous creatures. In those times, they forge on, relying on their abilities and instincts, undaunted.
Many Americans, I think, are like that, too: they’d rather not fight, but will do so tenaciously if compelled to action.