Camel's Nose in the Tent

One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap and looked in. "Master," he said, "let me put my nose in your tent. It's cold and stormy out here." "By all means," said the Arab, "and welcome" as he turned over and went to sleep.

A little later the Arab awoke to find that the camel had not only put his nose in the tent but his head and neck also. The camel, who had been turning his head from side to side, said, "I will take but little more room if I place my forelegs within the tent. It is difficult standing out here." "Yes, you may put your forelegs within," said the Arab, moving a little to make room, for the tent was small.

Finally, the camel said, "May I not stand wholly inside? I keep the tent open by standing as I do." "Yes, yes," said the Arab. "Come wholly inside. Perhaps it will be better for both of us." So the camel crowded in. The Arab with difficulty in the crowded quarters again went to sleep. When he woke up the next time, he was outside in the cold and the camel had the tent to himself.

Author unknown

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Camel’s Nose
MAY ALREADY BE IN THE TENT!

Camels are known to be smart and inquisitive animals. They easily bond with humans. Camels also have extremely long memories. So, if a situation arises in which you are mean to a camel. Take care. They will remember you sometime in the future.

This article is really about residential zoning and why it is so important in a community like Raytown.

Like most modern cities, Raytown has zoning laws. These laws divide the city into areas for different types of development. Some are commercial, some are residential. 

Within in the residential “zones”, the use of property is often broken down as well. For instance, multi-family structures, apartments and duplexes, are considered “residential”.

Typically, multi-family homes will surround single family homes. A well planned city will use multi-family zoned areas to buffer single family homes from intrusion by commercial zoning.

The purpose of this “buffer” is to maintain the integrity of a residentially zoned area. Single family residential has this buffer because individual families invest so much into their properties.

That is how zoning laws can be used to protect “single family owner” investment in their homes.

Usually zoning laws are followed strictly in most communities. The following story illustrates how things can go badly when those rules are not followed.

A number of years ago a commercial developer wanted to open a small convenience store in a residential neighborhood. The people living around the proposed development were opposed to what they rightfully saw as an invasion of their neighborhood.

They fought, petitioned and blocked the development twice. Undaunted, the developer chose to try again. A new Board of Aldermen had been elected, so he went to them to make his case.

Homeowners around the development were not made aware of the developer’s plans in time to organize against the developer’s plans. In the space of two meetings of the Board or Aldermen, the deal was done.

Now the people have a commercial retail outlet across the street from them. A constant “halo” of light comes from the parking lot. The sound of traffic where there was not any traffic before. They have also been witness to at least one armed robbery at the convenience.

Remember their situation.

When it comes to the integrity of residential neighborhoods in a small town, the Camel is waiting at the entrance to your tent.

Or, as we would say in America, the wolf is always at the door.

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