CIRCUS FREAKS,That's what the outside world call us but in our tiny world of the circus we are stars.The friends we have are made of other just like us.In our small community we laugh and love.We live a normal existence in our world.Its when the outside world intruded into our lives that's when the troubles began.

   There was two more weeks left in the season and then the circus would be packed up.The performers would go to their winter retreats and again wait out the cold months till the next summers tour would begin.This summers tour had seemed to have been a long one.The endless traveling which had taken most of time.Then the shows which this year didn't draw the crowds they used to.It had been a hard season.This season saw more trouble then any other.The people who came to the circus just weren't like the kind who used to.There were always a few jerks in the crowd but now there seemed to be double the amount and they were alot more cruel.In the old days sure they'd laugh at us and sure they'd say things.Now there was a cruelty to there laughter and the things said were vile and crude.The circus had once been a happy place.Now the job had become a burden.Where us performers once were happy there was a growing sadness.A rememberance of the glorious days of old lost to the dark days of today.

     Let me tell you of some of the problems that seem to stick out in my mind the most.First the fat lady of our troop she had one of the most vile things done to her.She had been on stage in her usual place and dog crap had been throw at her.It had landed in her mouth.Instantly she spit and had begun to gag.An ambulance had to be called the poor woman seemed to be having a heart attack.When the ambulance had arrived one look at her size and they shook there heads and said"no way is she going to fit in here.Then they called in a large semi and had her loaded in it.It had taken six men to acomplish this feat.We haven't seen Betty not since then.I hope she will recover.

    The next thing that happened was that one of the little people of our group.Had been beaten by a gang of teenage thugs.If it hadn't of been for Clarence our strong man coming on the scene Joey Wilkes a person who never would hurt a fly, I believe would be dead.

     The last and final thing that happened, happened to me.My name is David Jones,I was born a normal bouncing baby boy to all American parents.But as I grew it was at a abnormal rate. I was outgrowing all my class mates in school, by the sixth grade I had already reached a height 6 feet 11 inches.I didn't stop there no I finally topped out at just a little under 8 feet.Being so tall takes a strain on a human body.My legs always ached, my back was always in knots.But the hardest strain was to my soul.The names I had been called since being a young kid were still echoing through my mind.Names like lurch,goliath,retard and others had made me shy away from others,the circus was the first place I ever felt welcome.Now that is beginning to change.I had been surrounded by a group of kids and the names they called me brought tears to my eyes.