A dastardly plot to steal a giant straw goat was foiled by the integrity of a Swedish security guard. 

Gävle in eastern Sweden is home to an iconic Christmas symbol, a 42-foot-tall straw goat.   

The erecting of the Gävle Goat in the town's central square of Slottstorget has been a tradition dating back to 1966.  A few years after this tradition started a slightly more frowned upon tradition began, the annual burning down of the goat.

In both 2008 and 2009 the fabulous goat of Slottstorget was burned to the ground.  This year local community members hired a security firm to look after their prize. 

A few nights ago two men who planned to steal the goat using a helicopter offered the security guard on duty 50,000 kronor ($7,350) to look the other way.  They wanted to fly it to a nearby town in central Stockholm.  The guard refused, later telling a reporter, "If the goat were to burn on my shift, I’d never be able to show my face in town again." 

So we can all sleep easy tonight, knowing the Gävle Goat is safe and secure … for now.