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In the heart of the charming village of Trifouilly-les-Oies, the stability of the steeple of Saint Bucolique Church is the subject of a heated debate. According to some, the building has tilted imperceptibly… enough to make the entire locality anxious.
Ever since Josette Fripounette, while passing through the church square with her goose Claudette, noticed that the steeple she sees every day had a “slightly different” look, the steeple issue has dominated discussions at the village café, run by Josy. Armed with a compass and a ruler, Josette claims that the structure has tilted 0.02 degrees to the west. “I could see it clearly; it had a crooked look, that rascal! I checked, and bingo, I was right. A scandal!” she declares vigorously.
The residents are divided between anxiety and mockery. For some, the instability of the structure could foretell an imminent risk of collapse. Meanwhile, others, less alarmist, gently tease this matter, deeming it ridiculous. “It’s the story of the century! Our steeple is moving, and soon it will fall on us!” jokes Robert Bidochon, the village baker, between two loaves of bread.
The Municipal Council has decided to take this matter seriously. They summoned the district surveyor, the very serious Albert Tetanlair, who, equipped with his most sophisticated measuring tools, confirmed that the steeple is indeed slightly tilted… but has been that way forever, according to the church plans dating back to 1832. “It’s an architectural feature known about our church, not a recent tilt,” he explained calmly.
Despite these rational explanations, Josette remains convinced of the imminent danger, asserting that “the church is watching the west with an increasingly insistent eye.” In her fight, she has received support from a handful of Trifouilliens, ready to lead a crusade for the preservation of their steeple, even if it means propping it up themselves with a ladder and a good old spirit level.
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