Walking Inverted

Down the street came a weird collection of people. Some of them were striding, and other sauntering. I thought, as did most people, that it was a dream, but it wasn’t. Such was the fuss that the procession caught the attention of all passers-by. There were, in the group, people of all ages: the older hobbled, the younger marched, and even there were those who from time to time crawled, hopped and did a somersault. Never had I seen this before!

Seldom had I had the opportunity of seeing such a thing, so that I rushed to the street. No sooner had I reached the crowd than they started to swagger, swinging their shoulders, and trotting to and fro. Under no circumstances was I to miss that amazing show. Only after elbowing thought people could I see a man shuffling and sliding on the place. Some masked figures bowed and waved their hands at times; others seemed to be drunk, and stumbled, rolled, and fell headlong.

Little did I expect what happened next. Somebody crept behind me, and suddenly sprang up making strange gestures. He nodded, took off his hat, and from nowhere appeared a white rabbit. I started in surprise. Never had I enjoyed myself more! And the smiling man bade his good-bye, giving me a bouquet of flowers that he took out from his sleeve. Should I have been allowed, I would probably have spent all the evening there. But a slap on my wrist brought me back to reality. It was my mother and I was five. I'll never forget the first time a circus came to my village.