Chapter 6 The Circus In Town.

For the first time in Fabian's life the circus came to town.It was the "Tai Tien Kiew Circus".Heralding their arrival they paraded round town once with the horses,elephants,some clowns and a few caged animals like the Tiger and the Lion,annousing their presence in town.

They put up their tents along Immigrant Road next to the Sam Min Chinese School,Teluk Anson.The main tent was in the centre,a very huge tent in deed as it housed the in the centre where they staged the show.Surrounding were seats,comfortable seats for those who can pay extra for their tickets.Further up were the stair case type of sitting for cheaper paying patrons.

In the evening Fabian's father would take them to watch the animals on display at another smaller tent.Tigers,bear,python and lion were also on display in cages.All watching were never allowed to get near to cages.Many people brought sugar canes to feed the elephants, there were also a few horses and monkeys but unfortunately all chained up.

The first few shows thee were big crowds so they did not attend those shows.It was in the later stages that their father took them to see the performance of the circus.On Saturday and Sunday the management also put up extra shows in the afternoons.

The day came for us to view the show a few days later,by then the crowd was reduced and there were ample sitting place available.Fabian and his other siblings clapped hilariously as the show began.

First to appear were the trapeze stars,they amazed the crowd with their swinging to and fro.High light were they exchanged swings in mid air and also the male star catching the female star as she jumped towards him.There was a net below so there was no fear that someone might get hurt.

Next came the crowns who came out fooling around with their routines.Then followed the horses with riders jumping on and off horses and changing rides on horses back.Everyone clapped with loud applaud.Francis even stand up and cheered at the wonderful performance.

There was also performances by a strong man they all called him superman for he was quite an handsome guy.He performed some weight lifting and allow someone to crushed a slap of stone on his chest with a hammer.

Further the elephants came and performed their part.Running in circles and standing on tubs plus standing with front legs on each others' backs.

Their final performance was the tigers.A circular cage was set up before the cages were brought in.The trainer was whipping his whip all the time to induce the tigers to follow his instructions.the poor tigers were forced to leaped from one stool to another.And before you know the show was over.

But alas Francis was too tired to see the ending performances for he had fallen asleep in their father's arms.When it was all all he got up briefly but returned to sleep thereafter and got to be carried home.

Next that news broke out that a chimpanzee had escaped from the circus and the management went all out to catch that Chimpanzee.Fabian and Francis were playing out side that they noticed a huge monkey on their mango tree in front of their house.Fabian got hold of his catapult and shot it with a stone,but he missed.

His second shot was neither good at all,so Francis said,"You are no good with it,let me try".
Getting agitated Fabian passed the catapult to Francis.Francis took aim but missed by a mile.
"Huh?Such a good shot?","You are worst than me".
Francis loaded another small stone to the sling and aimed carefully before he released the shot."Tup!",he got the monkey on the body which made the Chimpanzee cried out loudly."See?'"I told you I am good" claimed Francis.
"Flogged shot'"said Fabian.
"I am a better shotter than you,at least I got him.

The Chimpanzee was not hurt bad,by then someone had informed the circus management about thw where about was the it.They cam almost immediately and with ease tricked the monkey from the tree and recaptured it back to the circus.

When leaving the chimpanzee made a gesture as if it wanted to punch Francis or was it a coincidense that gesture was made.It definitely confused Francis.