Seaplane Visits Lilliland

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

A small seaplane, carrying an Italian dignitary, landed on Castle Lake with an advance appointment to visit the Baron. The purpose of the visit was to ask the Baron if the seaplane could fly between Castle Lake and Lake Como in Italy. Everyone in Lilliland came out to see the seaplane since it was the first time that a seaplane could be seen up close. The landing was smooth but noisy and some of the water birds seemed frightened. The people were very impressed and thought that it was a sign of progress. The Baron was the head of Lilliland and whatever he decided was final, but as a good leader he listened to what all of the people had to say on various topics. The seaplane was a new topic of conversation for everyone.

The question that the Baron needed to address was whether to give permission to the dignitary to land on Castle Lake on a regular schedule. The Baron summoned Professor Hamblin, his chief advisor, to review the matter with him. The Professor said that it would be another transportation avenue to Lilliland but did it upset anyone? The Professor said that the Baron should ask the supervisor of game and wildlife the question as to whether the seaplane would disrupt the animals and birds adjacent to and on Castle Lake. The supervisor was asked the important question immediately. The supervisor said that he needed three days to review the matter and asked the Baron to have the seaplane take off and land each day for the next two days. The supervisor had 20 men positioned around Lilliland and near the seaplane's landing site. They were to report any disturbances to the birds or wildlife or farm animals. The results submitted to the Baron indicated that there was sufficient disruption to the birds and animals due to the noise and water turbulence that the seaplane created. The Baron thanked the supervisor and conferred with Professor Hamblin and then announced that the seaplane could not land on Castle Lake except in an emergency.