Old stories revisited

Occasionally a story from my past will come to mind. It may be one I was directly involved with or just one that I was told. Old stories revisited are fun and somehow seem almost new. Like reading a good book more than once, the story is not so important as the telling.
Recently a friend on facebook posted a picture of her Dad holding a rather large lobster. It was that picture that triggered this memory. Strange how a picture,a smell,or even just an expression can do that. Anyway,I was not there when this story took place, but would like to share it anyway.
My oldest brother was graduating from basic training at Great Lakes,Ill. This is the Navy boot camp. My parents were going to drive there to attend the graduation ceremony. As it so happens,my Uncle,Dads' brother, lived in Chicago at that time. It was decided to bring him a live lobster fresh from the dock at home. A lobster,especially a larger one,can survive several days out of water if kept cold. They sorta hibernate. I don't know the science behind that but it works.
So a large cooler was procured. My father knew most of the fishermen and put them on the lookout for a large lobster. The day they were to leave an 18 Lb. lobster was waiting at the dock. In case you don't know much about lobsters 18 Lbs. is huge. It was crammed into that cooler and filled with ice. Then it was placed in the trunk of the car. It was during the winter months so Dad figured it should stay alright and the cooler wouldn't need to be opened. All set.Off to Chicago.
On the way to my Uncle's place they were pulled over by the state police. The officer explained they were looking for something or someone. This suspect was driving a vehicle very similar to theirs. He asked if he could search the car. My Mom and Dad said,sure we have nothing to hide. After the officer had looked around the interior he asked Dad to open the trunk. No problem. Pushing the button the lid popped up. Dad says he was standing next to the car on the drivers side. He was next to the front door when he saw the officer backing up quickly and reaching for his gun! He was saying," what the H#$L is that ?" It was then that Dad thought about the lobster in the cooler.
Dad explained to the Officer that it was a Maine lobster. The cop says," no it ain't,they're red " Dad laughed and said," only after they're cooked Bub."
My parents told this story many times, as you can imagine. That poor Policeman had never seen a live lobster before and certainly not one of that size. Guess you can never be sure what you will find in someones trunk.

After a little discussion the Policeman had a good laugh along with them. I bet he told that story a few times himself.