wan Problems

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

Professor Hamblin reported with great sadness that some of the famous and beautiful Lilliland swans were found dead on the shore of Castle Lake. The Baron ordered a full and complete investigation of why the swans died.

It only took a short while for the investigators to find bullets in the swans. All of the bullets were of the same caliber and the caliber was of an unusual type. Later it was discovered that the guns found on a foreign boat flying a foreign flag were of the same unusual caliber. The law stated that the guns on the foreign boat could be carried onto Castle Lake but not discharged.

The captain of the boat was arrested and brought to justice but the captain’s attorney claimed diplomatic immunity and argued that the shooting was all in the name of sport and that the birds were wild. The Baron’s attorney reminded the court that the possession and discharging of any gun in Lilliland was strictly prohibited. The killing of the swans was also illegal. The captain was found guilty as charged. He finally said that he was sorry. All of the guns were taken from the boat and destroyed. The captain was told that his boat would be taken away if he engaged in any more unlawful conduct and that included the behavior of any of the crew or guests who may be on his boat.

The Baron reminded everyone that bullets could travel for miles and accidentally kill innocent children at play. No guns were ever going to be allowed in Lillilland.

Of the eight swans that were shot, the following summer twenty new chicks replaced them. Castle Lake swans were again as beautiful as ever.