he Archangel Patricia

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

Lilliland was a sanctuary for all the animals that lived there. Signs warning against hunting any animals were posted everywhere. The country's laws for animal protection were well known throughout all the lands adjoining Lilliland.

The Baron had a great aunt who loved all the animals and the forests. When she passed away, her spirit was seen from time to time in her beloved forests by many of the locals. She became known as The Archangel Patricia and the protector of the reindeer that dwelled in the nearby forests. She would even appear in the form of a reindeer.

One day, two hunters came to shoot a reindeer because they had heard that these animals were the most beautiful in the whole world. They ignored the posted warning signs and the stories about Archangel Patricia, and so carrying their rifles went deeper and deeper into the woods. They separated slightly so they could cover more territory. Suddenly, there, between them, was the most magnificent reindeer they could have ever imagined. They both raised their rifles to shoot but just as they fired the reindeer vanished. They each heard the other's bullet whiz past their heads. That was strange, they both thought and proceeded on. Again, they came upon another magnificent creature between them and they raised their rifles to shoot, again in each other's direction. This time, as the reindeer vanished, the bullets hit each man in the arm and caused such pain and surprise that they tossed their guns into the lake and turned themselves in to the local hospital.

Great Aunt Patricia appeared to the men in the hospital and shamed them by asking them how it felt to be shot at.