The Carnival as Life’s Metaphor

When I was a kid, I used to love when the traveling carnivals would stop and pitch their rides and tents. Well…in concept. I’d stand at the fringes and look in with wonder at the rides and indulgences. Then I’d stick my hands in my pockets hoping that money would magically appear so I could buy a long ribbon of tickets. Of course, money didn’t magically appear. All I felt was warm cotton surrounding my empty grasp. So I wandered off to create my own adventures from imagination.

* This isn’t to say I never entered to experience the wonders of nomadic entertainment–it just took a lot of begging and cajoling in that calm and business-like manner children often employ with their parents.