The Sad Little
Clown
William was a boy who had studied a lot at school and
had passed to the next school year with honours.
Thus, his loving parents gave him a few days' vacation
in a well-known beach town in that area.
Ecstatic, William packed his suitcase and together with
his parents and little brother they went on their trip,
on a very beautiful day.
Upon arriving just outside the city, they could already
see that a circus was in town with its coloured lights,
cages with beautiful wild animals, elegant horses and
funny monkeys.
His eyes became wide with emotion as William heard his
father promise that the next day they would watch the
show.
The next day, at the appointed hour, they entered the
circus and soon the spectacle began. Dancers, jugglers,
magicians and trapeze artists alternated with clowns,
monkeys, elephants, animal tamers and many other things.
With a packet of popcorn in his hands, William watched
everything while laughing and clapping with joy.
Suddenly, he noticed one of the clowns making pirouettes
and somersaults in the ring. Despite his smiley face,
his eyes were sad. As William drew closer, he noticed
that two tears were shining on his painted face. From
that moment on, nothing more was amusing and the image
of the sad clown did not leave his head.
The next morning he woke up, and instead of going to the
beach, he returned to the circus. It looked quite
different now. There were no more beautiful coloured
lights and the impression of luxury and wealth had
vanished entirely. Outside, some people cleaned the
place while others washed and took care of the animals.
The boy asked where he could find the sad clown and was
told that he was in the ring.
Entering the huge stage of the now vacant circus,
William seemed to still hear the cheers and shouts of
the audience.
Then he saw him. A small man sitting on the floor with
his head in his hands.
- Hello! - said William.
The clown looked up at the unfamiliar voice.
- Hello! What brings you here, boy?
- Well, I wanted to see a clown up close.
- Ah! You will surely be disappointed. I'm just a man
like any other.
William sat down next to him and said:
- Weird! I always thought that the clowns were always
smiling and playing, as if life were a party - said the
boy.
- Pure deception, son. We often laugh not to cry - he
said sadly.
- Now I understand that. Just yesterday, during the
show, I realised that you were sad. Why?
- Did you notice? ... The truth is that I have very
serious problems.
And the clown told him that his daughter was sick and he
did not have the money to take her to a doctor. Glad to
help, William smiled and assured him:
- Well, do not worry! My father is a doctor and he can
examine your daughter.
The boy ran away, and shortly after, returned with his
father. The clown accompanied them to the sick kid and
they were shocked by the misery of the place. The car in
which they traveled and which served to them as their
house was very poor and without comfort.
The doctor examined the child and told her father that
she had pneumonia but was also malnourished and needed
to eat better.
- I know, sir - said the clown - But I have no money. I
earn very little and hardly make ends meet.
- Do not worry. Your little girl needs to be
hospitalised but she'll be well soon, with God's help.
The doctor took the girl to the hospital, where soon she
was medicated. Then he arranged a basket containing food
that would last for many days and also gave the clown an
envelope with a good amount of money.
Surprised, the poor man said:
- But, doctor, I do not know when I will be able to
repay you!
- Do not worry. I just want you to make the kids smile.
After a few days the little girl got home happy and
healthy.
Soon it was the last show of the circus in that town.
They would pack up everything the next day. William and
his family were in the front row.
The clown approached them, carrying in his hands a
beautiful red balloon, tied with a cord. He walked up to
William and handed him the balloon, with a happy smile.
- You’re no longer a sad little clown - the boy said.
- No. Thanks to you, I can smile again. I do not know
how to thank you both for everything you've done for me.
The pleased doctor said:
- It’s easy. Put on a very joyful show to brighten the
children’s day.
With one last grateful glance, the clown backed away
with somersaults and clowning, accompanied by everyone's
laughter. William sighed, satisfied. The father looked
at the boy affectionately:
- Often, suffering and pain are where we least expect
it, son. It takes sensitivity to find out where people's
needs are. If it were not you, no one would have
discovered the clown’s problem. Well done, William.
Jesus is certainly very happy with you.
And embracing his son tenderly, he added:
- The truth is that we can help someone wherever we are.
All it takes is goodwill and love in our heart.
AUNT CELIA
Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com