Cessna Cleared for Take-Off

(Supposedly a true story - then again, aren't they all?)

This Certified Flight Instructor and his Student are holding on the runway for departing cross traffic when suddenly a deer runs out of the nearby woods, stops in the middle of the runway, and just stands there looking at them.

Tower: "Cessna XXX cleared for take-off."

Std: "What should I do? What should I do?"

Inst: "What do you think you should do?"

(Think-think-think.)

Std: "Maybe if I taxi toward him it'll scare him away."

Inst: "That's a good idea."

(Taxis toward deer, but deer is macho, and holds position.)

Tower: "Cessna XXX cleared for take-off, runway NN."

Std: "What should I do? What should I do?"

Inst: "What do you think you should do?"

(Think-think-think.)

Std: "Maybe I should tell the tower."

Inst: "That's a good idea."

Std: "Cessna XXX, uh, there's a deer down here on the runway."

(Long pause.)

Tower: "Roger XXX, hold your position. Deer on runway NN cleared for immediate departure."

(Two seconds, and then - I presume by coincidence - the deer bolts from the runway, and runs back into the woods.)

Tower: "Cessna XXX cleared for departure, runway NN. Caution wake turbulence, departing deer."

It had to be tough keeping that Cessna rolling straight for take-off.