A Sad Lesson

To the Editor:

Once upon a time there was a Newtown resident named Mike. Mike built a new house with wonderful views, and he did all that he could to beautify his property. But Mike was overzealous, and he cut down some dead trees that were not on his property. Unfortunately they belonged to the Newtown Forest Association (NFA). The NFA was not happy with Mike, and Mike knew it. He apologized and tried to make amends, and he thought as time passed that tempers had mellowed. He learned his lesson and did not touch their property again.

Alas, three years later the NFA appeared at Mike’s house with trucks and trees, and in the blink of an eye they replaced those cut trees. Mike was confused. Why had they waited so long? Why didn’t they replant on the same property that Mike had encroached upon? Why did they find it necessary to plant on the northern boundary of the Nettleton property in front of Mike’s picture windows instead of on the eastern boundary of the LaBelle property where the trees had been cut?

The NFA insists that no vengeance was intended. They simply felt the need to make their northern boundary lines more prominent. Stakes, a low-growing hedge, or a stone wall were out of the question. Rapidly growing evergreens which will someday obstruct Mike’s view served their purpose well.

The moral of this story is “Don’t get mad; get even,” and that’s just what the NFA did. What a sad lesson this is.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Klopfenstein

14 Old Castle Drive, Newtown                           November 18, 2003