unday Observation

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

The Baron enjoyed welcoming visitors and tourists from other countries. The tourists enjoyed skiing in the mountains and sailing on Castle Lake. Hiking and camping were also other favorite activities for visitors to Lilliland.

The town merchants wanted to have all the stores and businesses open on Sunday and the rest of the citizens wanted Sunday to be a day of rest and worship. Many years before tourism became popular all the stores and businesses were closed on Sundays.

The taxes were very low in Lilliland because of the economic impact that tourism brought to Lilliland. The Baron wanted to do all he could to keep the tourists happy, yet he wanted to observe Sunday as a day of rest.

The Baron consulted his chief advisor, Professor Hamblin, on this matter of the observation of Sunday. The Professor noted to the Baron that the economic health of Lilliland was due, in large part, to a good tourist season. Tourists enjoyed all the winter and summer activities for which Lilliland was famous.

The Professor advised that there had to be a happy balance between both sides of the issue. As a result the Baron wanted business not directly related to tourism to be closed on Sunday, and the businesses that catered to tourists to be open on Sunday. Hotels, restaurants and the sports and entertainment attractions would be open, but the post office, government offices and general businesses would be closed in observation of Sunday.

The plan, once in place, seemed to be working well because most of the Lilliland families appreciated the Sunday observance, while the tourists were happy to visit the places available to them.