The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CIRCUS-SHOW BUSINESS STORY

A WEALTHY YOUNG MAN DISAPPEARED FROM HIS HOME AND HIS
INFLUENTIAL PARENTS HIRED NUMEROUS DETECTIVES TO LOCATE
HIM. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL YEARS, THEY FOUND HIM,
NOTIFIED THE PARENTS. THE PARENTS RUSHED TO THE
LOCATION AND FOUND THE BRIGHT YOUNG MAN EMPLOYED BY A
CIRCUS. HE WAS ASKED WHY HE LEFT HOME AND STATED HIS
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CIRCUS WAS THE MOTIVE. HE LOOKED
FAR FROM BEING PROSPEROUS, SO THE PARENTS WERE CURIOUS.
THEY ASKED HIM THE NATURE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE
HE LOOKED LIKE A BUM, DIRTY, UNSHAVEN, DISAPPATED.
HE SAID EVER SINCE HE JOINED THE CIRCUS, HE HAS BEEN
EMPLOYED FEEDING THE ELEPHANTS. HIS PARENTS WERE
SHOCKED. THEY IMPLORED HIM TO COME HOME, LIVE IN THEIR
MANSION, DRIVE ANY OF THEIR SEVERAL LIMOSINES, BECOME AN
EXECUTIVE IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS, AND SHARE IN THE
FORTUNE THEY HAVE SET ASIDE FOR HIM. HE WAS AMAZED.
HE SAID, "GO BACK TO ALL THAT AND LEAVE SHOW BUSINESS?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 01-15-1967