INTRODUCTION
A whisper out in the crowded streets floats through the air, sweet and intoxicating.
"Come and see our show."
A handful of people catch the soft voice, so quiet and tiny, and heed the murmur, shuffling with uncertain curiosity to the source. Many cannot hear it, the call lost amongst their own breaths. These people go about their lives never knowing they were beckoned. Monotonous, indifferent lives.
But there are some who feel the voice grasping for attention, but ignore. They ignore because they are afraid. Frightened of such a small voice. Terrified of what the voice could be promising in its advertisement that could throw their life off by a fraction.
Even so, there are many who want to differ from normal routines. They are either labeled as 'adventurous' or 'stupid', but no matter the names they are given, they go to see the show. Their expectations are surpassed every time they see another one in the crowd with them.
Each buy their own tickets, go their own way, and sightsee. Watch the trapeze walkers, the sword swallowers, the magicians, and yes, the freaks.
Aren't they always drawn to the freaks?
The one with two heads, with horns, two more arms than what god had intended; they are all the little strange creatures put here on earth for laughs. Everyone gathers round and laughs, no matter if the laugh is choked by a scream or a curse. They laugh behind bitter words.
They are driven to humiliation, rocks pelted between the bars of their cages, but the stones are replaced with roses in the finale, because when they are in splendid costumes that accentuate their deformities in the most beautiful way possible, the audience regards them as majestic oddities rather than gutter trash.
And this should be enough. Because they are regarded as more than they are in the finale. They will never be worth more than the trapeze walker, the sword swallower, or the magician. But even allowing them to be at the end is the ultimate form of generosity, and they accept with smiles. Everyone accepts with this smiles.
After all, at the end of the day, everyone has fun at the circus.