It was an evening to remember. My Mamaw and Papaw had me come to their house to watch a circus on TV. Even though I was very small, I still remember all the colors, clowns, and the daring feats as the trapeze artists flew through the air. Papaw cut up a watermelon and placed the pieces in a pie pan, so as we watched the circus, we ate and spit seeds in the pans. From that time on, I wanted to see another circus.
Looking back, I feel sorry for my parents. Every year when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to town, they would run ads in the paper and on the TV. Of course, I would pester them about going to see it. As much as they wanted to take me, they didn’t have the extra money. I finally quit asking; that is until 1976. That was the year the circus had a special show to celebrate the bicentennial. I knew this was a special event and I desperately wanted to go. For my birthday that year, my grandparents got us tickets to the circus. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled.
Let me tell you, my grandparents didn’t skimp on the tickets. We were seated on the floor and three rows back from all of the action. Since it was a three-ring circus, there was constantly something happening. The circus performers were all dressed in dazzling red, white, and blue costumes. The clowns were walking around and giving funny performances. When it was time for the trapeze artists, a large net was laid out underneath them. It was amazing to be so close as they performed their stunts. The only act that I wasn’t crazy about was the lion tamer. In my child’s mind, I couldn’t understand why anybody would stick their head into a lion’s mouth. Even if you knew it wouldn’t try to eat you, it’s breath couldn’t smell that good.
Before the circus was over, a few colorful carts were rolled out onto the floor. I noticed some of the workers gathering children and placing them into them. A lady in a uniform came up to my parents and asked how old I was. Since I was under twelve, she said I could ride in the carts with the other children as they went around the perimeter of the three rings. My parents asked if I wanted to ride. I answered: “No.” You see, I was worried that I would get lost once it was over and I wouldn’t be able to find my parents. Also, the kids were a lot younger than I was and I didn’t want to be the only bigger kid. To me, that would be embarrassing. Well, my parents didn’t want to take no for an answer. They told me that it was a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of the circus. I still refused. Then the lady in the uniform left and the carts rolled without me.
“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:20 (KJV)
Since I chose not to get in the cart, it left without me. Not only that, there was no way I could get on it once it left. You know, you could say it symbolizes Salvation as did Noah’s ark. Those who chose not get on it were not saved from the flood. Also, they couldn’t get on it once the ark’s door was shut. It’s your choice and God respects that. Make sure you make the right one before it’s too late.
Would I get in a circus cart now if I had another opportunity? You better believe it. It would be like a duck after a June bug. I would be waving at people the whole time while yelling: “Whoo hoo you all!”
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.