LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: CAMEL IS ABOUT TO GET IN THE TENT

To the editor:

(With sincere apologies to the author.)

Once upon a time a lonely camel was grazing on the lush grass between two cities when he saw his master spread a tent. It was a magnificent new tent, one which would shame all of his friends. Then the master began to furnish the tent. It was such a big tent, though, that he had lots of room left over.

An entrepreneur came along about this time and offered to buy some of the land for a cemetery. The County Court, recognizing a fast buck when it saw it, and needing the money, quickly sold the tract. The camel, curious as most beasts are, wanted to learn what was going on. He found a low spot and stuck his nose under the tent but went no farther. The view inside, though, was beautiful.

Time went on, and the state needed right-of-way for a second two-lane road. The county provided the land, and the road was built. The camel looked under the tent, saw all of the commotion and got his head farther inside. The view was even more encouraging. No. 1 for the state.

The next thing the camel learned was that the County Court was considering a regional jail at the site. This, though, was discouraged by Jackson residents who wanted the jail in downtown Jackson.

The camel had just about digested all of this (along with the grass) when the state again stepped in an offered to build a home for war veterans on the abandoned jail location. The court donated the piece of land and built a most attractive place for old warriors.

Of course, the camel had to poke his nose into this bit of business, so he got in farther on his knees and planted his front feet inside the tent. Now he was half in and half out. Score No. 2 for the state.

Along about this time, the Missouri Conservation Department, with a carrot and a stick, offered to build a nature trail on the hillside to the east of the tent.

It was a popular trail through the woods for fitness figures and nature lovers. The camel by now was getting his haunches under the tent. But the poor master, who saw lakes built and other improvements being made about him, found himself losing his tent space. No. 3 for the state.

All was going well now, the camel thought. He settled down to what he believed would be normalcy. Alas, it was not to be. The Conservation Department came to the County Court a second time. It asked for a site on the most attractive location for a regional headquarters and meeting place. The carrot worked.

The camel was in business again. The County Court approved, and the building was up, attractive and a center for conservation activities. This time the camel was getting ready for one last move. Then, he would be inside the tent and could see what his master had done. Score 4 for the state.

In the meantime, through all the years (the camel was now ready for the Veterans Home), what had once been the County Poor Farm and hill agricultural land now was a beautiful two-part park used by thousands.

Surely, the camel thought, this must be the end. Please, I'm almost in the tent. Let me have peace.

And, surely, that is what the people also thought. The park was graced by a stately flag pole. The flag flies there each night and each day, Old Glory waving in the breeze and whipping in a storm to travelers from every state and many foreign countries.

Will the camel get into the tent? Will this be No. 5 for the state? The Conservation Department, having taken over the central part of the park, would have it so. It wants the crown jewel, the breathtaking view of the flag, proudly flying for both northbound and southbound traffic, an awesome, chest-thumping sight.

This is our flag. Let the architects find another location in the park for a nature center, but no this one.

Keep the camel out of the tent.

Veterans and families, rally around the flag.

JOHN L. BLUE

Cape Girardeau