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Show page 42 THE CARNIVAL OF GREAT LAUGHTER It was autumn this many years ago in our flatland town when a carnival always visited us and made the night sky full of stars and with its calliope made music like a thousand birds singings Granpa and I stepped to the music. "It's a touch of color we need in our house, son," said Granpa. "Yes sir, a touch of color, a touch of color from every carnival of great laughter that comes our way, or we won't know the world beyond us." Granpa called all carnivals carnivals of great laughter; Granpa was young in heart. Reflectively he said, "Kaybe they have brought us something from a faraway land." Granpa had his house papered and decorated "vith many things from many carnivals. Now he was taking me to carnival, me eleven and bugeyed. I treasure the experience, for it xwas then and there I first learned of faith and mysteries and things real but unseen, and first learned that life in the flatlands of Georgia could promise more than hard xvork and hard schooling. I was as happy as ever I've been. Wet wood shavings and sax-7dust felt springy under my bare feet. Bright lights of the carnival winked at us from every side. The long row of shox-7 tents had dancers and barkers and men in striped shirts in front of the tents smiling and beckoning to the crowd. |
