o Fireworks, Please!

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

The committee for the Founders Day celebration in honor of the formation of the country of Lilliland began to make its plans. The country was over 1,000 years old and each June 1st the celebration was held. Some people referred to it as Founders Day; others called it a family picnic day.

Everything in the planning stages was going very well for the picnic and sporting events later in the afternoon. An evening concert was planned with fireworks to follow. But wait, there was a problem over the question of fireworks. Some people liked to see the night sky lit up with sparkle. Other said that it was too dangerous. The two sides were equally split and the decision was handed over to the Baron.

The Baron asked his chief advisor, Professor Hamblin, to determine if the fireworks were safe or not.

A week passed and the Professor submitted his opinion. The noise of the fireworks could cause a snow or landslide in the Alpine Mountains, or cause great fright to the farm animals and household pets. The fireworks could also cause the majestic swans on Castle Lake to be frightened away.

Once the committee received the Baron’s opinion based on the Professor’s report, it was clearly decided against the fireworks. The fireworks were more of a nuisance than anything else.

The Baron thanked the Professor for his invaluable service and reflected on the numerous reasons for not having fireworks. How could any society that values peace and tranquility subject their animals and pets to such fear?

Founders Day would be celebrated with a family picnic, games in the park, sailing on Castle Lake, enjoying the majestic swans, and a concert in the park at sundown.

After the successful Founders Day celebration, the Baron turned to Lady Angela and Professor Hamblin and said, “If those who choose to live by the sword also die by the sword, the reverse must be true. That is, if people live in peace and harmony, they will also die surrounded by peace and harmony.”

With that point of view in mind, Lilliland should celebrate many more Founders Days in the years to come.