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BOOK 2
After their visit to the circus in their town, the children were sought out by people who wanted to make them, or themselves maybe, a little bit famous
Perhaps it was because the children were popular with the circus people who were famous in their way
And who were happy being different
The circus did not make a fortune, but they were independent in their lifestyle, and made enough money to get by if they were careful
Each circus member including the animals had a place in their community: a mutual respect for each other
And also for the role that they played
It was as if people wanted to put the small town on the map, so everyone would know who lived there -
And think that it was more important than it really was!
People wanted to feel more important too, which is a very common trait
People thought the children had some special status, partly because of their friendship with the circus people
The children were different too, with not being able to walk or do some things
Before all of this, people had kept away from the children's disability or difference, and their unhappiness with how they were regarded
Now there were invitations to too many parties, and requests to appear on children's TV
The children felt a kind of boost at first
But they grew more aware of what motivated people, and might lie behind their actions:
All in all, the children felt uncomfortable with the demands being placed on them
The main thing troubling the children was how people used (or abused) their difference and their pain:
Which were both still there after all
True, the schemes raised funds for less fortunate people and did some very useful things
Sometimes it got out of hand, and things went wrong that never seemed to get put right
People gave themselves (or each other) important-sounding names and positions
They were not getting on with their lives or doing things to help each other
People counted or courted money, and they gloated or fought over silly things
It was as if they now put themselves above everything and everyone else
They wanted other people to think how kind they were, or how clever or industrious
Or how "different" or somehow "better" they were through this or that
Naturally people do deserve credit for some of the things they do
Now people were seeking prestige and a name for themselves with these new campaigns and schemes
The children had to be extra careful what they said, or it became an issue for people to disagree over
Something got blown out of proportion, or made to mean something it was not intended to be
Reality began to skew, and it could easily have skewed the children's lives if they had not been careful
And lucky too - You can ask the zebra with the unusual stripes what he thinks about that!
What the children wanted was to be accepted -
Just how they were
Disabled or not
Feeling OK or not
And doing things well or not
So they asked people not to campaign about them any more, or to make anything into a bigger issue
Because it made things worse, not only for the two children
But for other people who were vulnerable or did not want a lot of fuss
Not everyone can do the things that they want
Or which other people might find easy
People do what they can
You can see how much the children had learned through meeting the circus people
And how the circus people might have the best of both worlds in their own way
They had temporary glamour and fame as they came to town and put on their performances for a show
They each had an identity and a role in their community, and there was no need to pretend amongst themselves
Whatever happened, good or bad, when there was a show to put on, that is what they would do
Because in the circus, as in life itself, there's that well-known saying: The Show Must Go On!
The circus people knew and imparted to the children
That there is a big difference between putting on a performance or a show - Even when they didn't feel happy
And being free to behave ordinarily with their family or friends, or the people they mix with
Lots of people put on a personal show every day - Even when they don't need to
Or when it might be better not to pretend
Maybe there are some times when they do have to pretend -
For their own benefit, or for the sake of someone's feelings
But things so easily get out of proportion, or move away from reality and sense
No-one knows who anyone else really is, or what they actually mean
Including themselves!
The children had learned about accepting people just as they are
And not letting things happen at the expense of anyone
Including themselves!
Amber the ginger cat says that it's very nice to pretend and to dream
Even Amber does not really want the problems of being
a big, fierce and awesome tiger at the circus
With or without such very fine stripes
Amber likes to be accepted just how he is
And still be able to dream - Whatever it is about
CLICK here or the MARBLES for BOOK 1
CLICK here or on the KITE for the EPILOGUE
You can also see this on Youtube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=utTBJZOzT6I
Copyright 2011 Lexicomic
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