What A Circus

Dumbo's act was flying out of control.

Contest Prompt

"set in a circus and focusing on an elephant who (secretly) is able to fly. One of your genres must be ANIMAL.'

“Dumb, dumb, dumb!” I struck the circus tent stake with all my might. Being a roustabout, I was on the lowest end of the money chain. “She’ll never notice you.”

Annabelle was the star attraction with the animal parade. Whether it be acrobatics on the back of an Arabian horse or sharing the overpowering size and strength of an elephant doing tricks, she had a magical gift with anything walking on four legs or two.

‘Aren’t you done, yet?” Big Bill, the strong man, took my sledge hammer and with one swing finished my job. “She ain’t for the likes of you, mate. Go slop out the lion’s cages.”

I stopped by to pay my respects to Old Bet. She was a wise old maid nearly reaching her fortieth year mark of captivity. I yearned to see her retire in freedom. “Here you go girl.” I offered her a fresh banana saved from my breakfast. The elephant swiped it greedily with her trunk and ate it whole.

“You talking to me?”

It was Annabelle, herself. She stepped around Bet like she was appearing on stage, regale, sure of herself, and sure of immediate attention. This was my chance. I bowed and laughed as Bet did likewise.

Annabelle reached over to pet the elephant’s hide. “You two know each other well, I gather.”

“Oh, we’ve shared a trick or two. Watch this.” I leaped high in the air, throwing myself at Bet. She rose on her hind legs, trunk raised and caught me around the waist. I found myself tossed into the air above her head, did a somersault, and landed on her neck.

“Will she do that with me?” Annebelle seemed awestruck.

“Come on up,” I urged.

Delighted laughter joined me as Annebelle settled in front of me. “What else don’t I know about you and her?”

I was intoxicated by our nearness. Bet made a snorting sound that was very unladylike. I looked down to see Big Bill staring up at us. “Fun time is at an end. The roustabout will be docked pay for taking his unauthorized break. The lion poop awaits your command.”

He struck Bet’s trunk with a thud, making her rear back and shudder. I clutched Annebelle to keep us both from falling off. “Slide!” I commanded. Bet shook her head and made a slide for us from her head down to her trunk.

“I want to know everything she can do. She’s been hiding her true talent all this time.” Annebelle faced Big Bill. “He’s no longer under your kind care. He’s now my full time assistant. I’ll tell Fabrio, the circus master and make arrangements.”

I saw the flash of hate and anger in Big Bill’s eyes as he turned away. With no-one else to boss, he’d have to clean the big cat’s cages himself. “Bet is old, she can’t sustain the energy for a full act,” I said.

The sudden look of alarm on Annebelle’s face offered no denial. I reassured her. “Don’t worry. She can train one of the young elephants in no time at all.”

It meant an easier life for Bet as it did for me. I scarcely saw Annebelle at all, except when she came to try out one of the new elephant tricks.


The younger elephant had been a circus clown, taught to stumble and fall, barely not crushing one of the dwarf clowns in the process. She was called Dumbo because of her oversized clownish ears. On cue, she’d flap them fast enough to blow a clown’s hat off and wilt the fake flowers in their hand. I'd secretly trained her. “She’s coming along,” I said. “Watch.”

“Go!” I commanded, pointing to Old Bet’s head. My old friend bowed down, made her trunk a slide, and Dumbo seemed to float dramatically slide up, to float above the bigger elephant's massive head. I was about to show how Dumbo could fly when Annebelle stopped me.

Annebelle’s response wasn’t what I expected. “It’s too dangerous. Get Dumbo down. Besides, it turns me into a sideshow with them the stars.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Which is when I lost interest in romancing Annebelle. I waved at Dumbo and he floated down Bet’s trunk to the ground.

Dumbo’s new talent became an annoyance. She’d float up behind me and suck treats meant for Old Bet out of my hip pockets. She’d juggle them in the air, then float up to snatch them one by one.

Big Bill couldn’t stand the distraction and resulting laughter from his crews. His reports to Fabrio emphasized the extra work it caused. “My men make mistakes, break things, safety is an issue.”

When Fabrio came to investigate, Dumbo pulled the circus master’s pants down, turning him into a clown act. “He was just searching for a treat,” Annebelle begged.

“He’s out of control. Big Bill wants a try at disciplining him. I’m giving the go-ahead.” Fabio put himself back together, glaring at Dumbo, he nodded at Big Bill and waved a hand.

It was the signal Dumbo was always waiting for. He trumpeted, stood on his hind legs, and leaped skyward. Flapping his wing-like ears, Dumbo soared and floated over Fabio’s retreating head.

The resulting wind was immense. It sucked Fabio up into the air, making him swim like a fish. “I’ve never seen such aerodynamics,” Big Bill gasped.

“I want a turn.” Annebelle clapped her hands in delight.

I was both blamed and exalted at the same time. Dumbo, Old Bet and I were put out to pasture, a safe retreat for training better behaved animals their new circus tricks.

I still see Annebelle upon occasion, when she comes out to try out her starring role in a new act.

Betty Mae, her aid and substitute for when Annebelle sprains an ankle for example, seems interested in learning more about me. I’m definitely interested in her. She’s got me floating on air.

WC 991