oomsday Man

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

The first week of July was the time to celebrate the anniversary of Lilliland. Since Lilliland was over 1,000 years old, no one knew the exact age. After 1,000 years the Baron would say, “Who is keeping score, anyway?”

All of the citizens looked forward to the annual weeklong celebration of the anniversary. The Baron and his fiancée Lady Angela of Alpine Castle hosted open house to all the citizens and visitors. The Baron held one thing in reserve and that was the annual appearance of the Doomsday Man. The man looked a little bit like Santa Clause except instead of bringing gifts and good wishes, he would bring messages of gloom and doom, saying that this would be the end of Lilliland. Definitely, this year! But that was the same message he delivered each year.

When the Baron, Lady Angela and Professor Hamblin planned the events for the celebration each year, the visit from the Doomsday Man was frequently discussed. They all hoped if only the man would stay in his mountain cabin and not come down to the celebration.

But word had reached the Baron that this year the Doomsday Man was going to bring an extra special message.

The week of the celebration came and everyone was having a good time. During the height of the festivities the Doomsday Man appeared on a street corner and began his message. He began, not with gloom and doom, but with hope and happiness for the future. He assured everyone that he hoped Lilliland would be a great country for the next 1,000 years and beyond.

The Baron could not believe his ears. Was this not the Doomsday Man? And now he was delivering a message of joy and happiness for all.

A few days after the celebration ended the Doomsday Man was invited to Lilliland Castle to meet with the Baron. He asked the man why he spoke of hope for the future. His answer was brief and simple. He had lived alone for years and just wanted some attention. He had very few visitors. One day a visitor brought a small puppy and gave it to him. He named the puppy Skippy and gave him such great joy that he didn’t feel lonely anymore and wished everyone could feel that same way that he now felt.