Tree Thieves

At five AM, last Saturday we went to get a Christmas tree. Out in the forest, with the Jeep, the path was muddy, ruts were deep. We'd brought a hatchet and a saw the two of us, just me an Pa, and when we found a specimen tall and majestic like Big Ben we hurried out into the snow to wrap up this illegal show. The noise was very faint at first (and Pa was busy quenching thirst) , the window down, there was a noise, it well could be the Council boys. Though God has grown all trees for man the council had imposed a ban. I saw a glimpse of their big ute and now the echo of Toot-Toot, put her in gear while Pa held tight the tree to keep it out of sight. Accelerate a Five-Point-Seven it's quite akin to life in Heaven. The Rover followed, going fast we wondered who would finish last. There was the dropp and then the river my Pa was drowning out the shiver with Uncle Jack's from stainless flask while I was busy with the task. Straight in we went, the bank was steep and to the bottom went our Jeep. We drove for nearly one whole hour and marvelled at those tons of power. But there was one, though minor flaw (and I agree here with my Pa) : Our fancy and expensive stereo which pipes in classics from Ontario to me is part of life's conception, it did not give us best reception! (Though it returned when we emerged) , the sun had come since we submerged and snow was falling in the hills to hide the tracks of untold thrills. In leisure we got home at ten and never saw the council men. We stayed indoors for two, three days and placed the tree into its base, when through the letterbox came in the local rag to hit the bin. But on the cover we could see that thieves who stole a Christmas tree had drowned and divers were on site. They'd search each day until the night.