When I teach self-defense (as opposed to traditional karate -- related but distinct ideas), I use the "Five Fingers of Self Defense" model that I learned from Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue of Thousand Waves: Think, Yell, Run, Fight, Tell. (I've put a bit of my own spin on it, so if I say something dumb on the topic blame me, not Jun Shihan Nancy!)
This 9-year-old boy knows why "Run" is better than "Fight" -- because you can go get help. A lot of guys, socialized in macho BS, need to hear that "Run" is a good strategy. This is an excellent example to keep in mind.