
A girl named Madeline, with a vivid imagination and remarkable awareness of how bureaucracy can dash dreams, got her wish when she asked Los Angeles animal control authorities for a license to own a unicorn — if she’s able to find one.
The first-of-its-kind permit came with strings attached, however: The mythical creature must be provided ample exposure to sunlight, moonbeams and rainbows and have its horn polished at least once a month with a soft cloth.
Director Marcia Mayeda of the county Department of Animal Care and Control sent the girl a heart-shaped, rose-colored metal tag with “Permanent Unicorn License” emblazoned on it, along with a white fuzzy unicorn doll with pink ears, purple hooves and a silver horn.
The department’s response came after the girl wrote it a brief letter last month: “Dear LA County, I would like your approval if I can have a unicorn in my backyard if I can find one.”
Its five conditions for unicorn ownership also require that any sparkles or glitter sprinkled on the animal be nontoxic and biodegradable, and that it be fed watermelon at least once a week.
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“reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”
-C. S. Lewis
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credits: los angeles county animal care and control, AP
If they are out there, this is the young lady who will find them. Great post, Beth!
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I have to agree
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What a wonderful tale. The magic of children’s imagination. Something adults seem to have lost over time – mores the pity. I love C. S. Lewis’ quote. I have added it to my own list of favourites. Happy Unicorn Day My Friend
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thanks, and I love that the adult went along with it
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Sometimes the stars shine really brightly. Have a great day Beth.
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Beth ! Calling someone an ‘adult’ in this context is marginally slanderous and unkind. Though I am not sure there is a word encompassing the concept of a healthy sense of wonder that both the young human and slightly not so young administrative human possess in this story. After all an ‘adult’ could just as easily say ‘grow up there are no unicorns.’ I do believe we are in desperate need of more unicorn license applicants and issuers. I wonder if there is a bumper sticker that reads “I am only traveling this way because both my unicorn and pegasus have the day off”. Good story. Thanks !
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Yes! Love that
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Love this. Thanks for sharing Beth. 😍🦄
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Happy to
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❤️❤️❤️
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We should all believe that we nay find a unicorn someday. Especially if it has nontoxic glitter.
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It is so nice to see an adult stranger support the dreams of a child. They will both go far.
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This is just the best story ever, Beth. What a wonderful person at the other end of the request!
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Now there’s a public official who gets it, Beth!
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How wonderful of the licensing authority to do this for a little girl. Things like that restore my damaged faith in human nature.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Me too, pete
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Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
I know I often come across as moany and grumpy, and my wife thinks I am a Christmas Bah Humbug. But this post found my soft side, and I dare you not to smile when you read it!
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Ty
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I loved this. What a charming tale to start my day.
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What a wonderful story! We need more stories like this. xo
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We certainly do
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I learned recently that the word unicorn has an entirely different meaning in tech-talk.
https://operasandcycling.com/co-working-spaces-in-paris/
(scroll down to the unicorns)
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Had no idea – thanks
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It’s nice to know there are still generous and imaginative people out there.
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So important
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Kudos to Director Mayeda for being a very thoughtful public servant and to Madeline for being a very responsible little girl. Hers is probably the cutest unicorn I’ve ever seen.
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Yes, there are some lights within the bureaucracy
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Oh I saw her letter and their response on IG. Absolutely love everything about this.
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Amazing, isn’t it?
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Truly.
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I love this and I hope she finds one. This is such a delightful story.
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Me too!🦄
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One never knows. Maybe one day she’ll wake up and a unicorn will be grazing in her yard. Good thing the unicorn will be pre-registered.
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I hope so!
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Heartwarming story! They forgot to mention how to deal with the crystal unicorn droppings, but I am sure Madeline will know what to do with them.
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I’m sure she’s got a solution)
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I absolutely love stories like this!!!
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Just so sweet
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I heard this story. Loved it initially and still love it. Oh, the kindness of strangers.
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This kind of story always makes my spirits soar
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There are countless reasons that this is simply the greatest holiday story ever….thank you for sharing it!
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It’s such a winner!🦄
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Yes, there is hope for the world.
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This is a sure sign
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The Permanent Unicorn License was a brilliant, heart-warming response. Madeline will remember this forever, as will those who have learned of her story.
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I so agree
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I heard about that a few days ago. That is so sweet!
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💙
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Thank you for sharing this delightful story! I like that little girl. It pays to be a responsible citizen.
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I so agree
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I hope she finds her unicorn.
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I really do too
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aww! How adorable is this…xo
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❤️🦄
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wonderful. 🦄
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I think so too and was happy the adult went along with it
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Very lovely that they did.
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What a beautiful young lady!!! ❤ I could hug her so much!!!!
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Isn’t she great?!
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YES!!! 😀
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what a wonderful heartwarming story; proves bureaucracies can have hearts 🙂
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Yes, it happens sometimes
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Like that
Sent from my iPhone
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❤
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Long live imagination!
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viva l’imagination!
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How lovely that the spirit of Christmas and imagination still exist,,,a beautiful story 🙂
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it made my heart happy
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This was the story I needed
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Good timing
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Simply delightful, Beth!
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🦄❤️
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OMG! Love this, all of it.
The request, the response and the responsibility.
May she never lose her magic!
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everything about it is so positive
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Agree!
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Now that warmed every little corner of my heart! Thanks for sharing it.
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my pleasure –
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Super. Duper. Sweet. ❤
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I thought it was , too
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This is just wonderful!!!
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the sweetest thing –
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Yes!
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how sweet that would be –
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