Wave Goodbye To Ronald -- Statue At Mcdonald's In Snohomish Destroyed

Ronald was like Pinocchio. He was carved from a tree trunk with great care, and held a place of honor on top of the tree stump from whence he came. Ronald guarded the driveway, always waving a cheerful hello to the customers of the McDonald's restaurant in Snohomish. Ronald had become a landmark in Snohomish.

Then one morning, workers arrived before sunrise to open the store. A customer came in and asked , "Why did you take down Ronald?" Ronald was no longer standing on his tree stump waving to the customers.

Did Ronald run away like Pinocchio? Was Ronald kidnapped for ransom? Was Ronald hauled off as a prank? Would he be found at the high school, in someone's back yard, or on top of Burger King?

The police arrived and took a missing "person" report. "How tall was Ronald," they asked. "6 feet 2 inches." "How much does Ronald weigh?" "800 pounds." "What color hair?" "Red." "Describe the clothes you last saw him wearing." "Yellow jumpsuit and big floppy shoes."

Two days later, three boys walked in and said they had found Ronald.

"Where did you find Ronald?" they were asked.

"In the Pilchuck River."

The manager, the police and a couple of employees drove off to rescue Ronald from the river.

Excitement turned to sorrow as they returned with Ronald. The abductors had defaced Ronald with a chainsaw. His feet had been chopped up and his greeting arm cut off. Unlike Pinocchio, who the good fairy turned into a real boy, Ronald will be laid to rest. Betty Saunders Everett