A Clown Without a Circus

“Billy-Bob,” said Joey, stopping to chat with his friend. “What’s the matter? You look so sad.”

Billy-Bob sat on a park bench, with a sad-looking face.

“I am sad, Joey,” said Billy-Bob. “I need a circus.”

“A circus!” exclaimed Joey. “What for?”

“Well,” said Billy-Bob. “How can I be a clown, if I don’t have a circus?”

“Gee,” said Joey. “I don’t know. I never thought of that.”

“Well,” said Billy-Bob. “How can you be the strongest man in the world if you don’t have a circus?”

“I guess you’re right,” said Joey, as he sat down on the bench beside Billy-Bob.

“Billy-Bob,” said Joey, a few moments later. “What are we going to do?”

“I haven’t heard a word about the circus coming to town this year,” said Billy-Bob. “Have you?”

“No,” said Joey, sadly. “Not a word.”

“This is ridiculous,” said Billy-Bob. “A clown must have a circus. That is the only time that a true clown is happy. We haven’t had a circus in this town for years.”

“Yes,” said Joey. “That is true. We need a circus!”

“I just had a thought,” said Billy-Bob. “Why don’t we have our own circus?”

“Our own circus,” said Joey. “You mean like you and I will be the bosses!”

“Exactly,” said Billy-Bob.

“That’s not a bad idea,” said Joey. “Even the strongest man in the world needs a circus.”

“Yes,” said Billy-Bob. “So, it’s settled. We will have our own circus! Let’s call it The Joey Bob Circus.”

“I like that,” said Joey.

“How would you like to be in charge of ticket sales?” said Billy-Bob.

“Ticket sales!” exclaimed Joey, excitedly. “This is going to be so much fun!”

“And a lot of work,” said Billy-Bob.

“What are you going to be in charge of?” asked Joey.

“I’m going to be in charge of putting the acts together,” said Billy-Bob. “Let’s see, we need a tiger and a bear.”

“I know where you can get a tiger and a bear,” said Joey.

“Where?” asked Billy-Bob.

“At the zoo,” said Joey.

“Joey,” said Billy-Bob. “Zoo’s will not let their animals perform in a circus.”

“Well, not just any zoo,” said Joey. “But, I happen to have an uncle who owns the zoo!”

“Oh Joey!” exclaimed Billy-Bob. “This is going to be the best circus, ever.”

Joey and Billy-Bob went about setting up their own little circus. Soon, it was the first day of the big event. Joey and Billy-Bob took a moment to look at their surroundings.

“Look what we have done!” exclaimed Billy-Bob. “Look at the smiles on the faces of the children.”

“Never mind that,” said Joey. “Look at your own smile.”

Billy-Bob knew that he didn’t have to get a mirror. He knew already that he was smiling from ear to ear, because this was the happiest moment of his life!