MY CIRCUS DREAM

By Danna Shirley

Writing assignment was to use the below words in a story: 

Elephant     Tent     Secret     Music     Mysterious     Old Man     Megaphone     Vanity

My local newspaper had a one-page, color ad that a circus was coming to town in two weeks. Since I loved being under The Big Tent and seeing all the animals, I put the date on my calendar. It was no secret that I was in awe of the lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my.

I had not only dreamed of seeing the circus but of being IN the circus. I was the Ring Master announcing all the performers through the megaphone; I was the high wire act, bouncing and swaying above the crowd; I was one of the clowns in the little car honking my horn and spitting sprays of water through my lapel flower keeping time to the music; I was even the lowliest of the low scooping up elephant droppings. I didn’t care. My vanity was on high-drive believing I could do anything in this strange and mysterious profession.

Alas, time goes on…way too fast…and my childhood dreams faded into the background as I matured into a more acceptable profession. The patriarch of the family, my old man as I called him behind his back, kept a close watch while waiting for me to find myself. Well, I was close, but still had faint wanderings of circus life, especially when I learned The Greatest Show on Earth was going by the wayside after 146 years.

The day arrived and I drove the three hours to enjoy the Final Hurrah of my childhood fantasy. Even though I sat alone, I was not alone. The lights were bright and gleeful. The costumes sparkly. The room was electric with excitement, everyone realizing they were part of the last audience to experience this last, great performance. It was a sad day but for me, one I will cherish forever.  

A Message from Kenneth Feld

https://www.ringling.com/

On Sunday, May 21 [2017] Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® said its final farewell to a sold-out crowd of incredibly enthusiastic fans. The response they gave to everyone who made the show possible – performers, staff and crew – was heartwarming. Though it was difficult to say goodbye, my family and I were heartened to send off The Greatest Show On Earth^® in the celebratory and positive fashion that this American treasure deserves.

We want to thank all of our fans for supporting Ringling Bros. over the years. In the fifty years that my family has been producing Ringling Bros., more than one quarter of a billion people have come to see the show, and we’ve been privileged to have been able to share the joy of Ringling Bros. with you.