The Circus goes to Canberra

Ring Master Malcolm, the King Penguin and his circus return to Canberra Sept 2016, stated the large placard spread across a modest table. Malcolm despite his age, still a presentable penguin, fluffed his feathers with pleasure as he viewed his image. “KP”, he reminded himself of his affectionate name or should that be mighty King Penguin?

Clattering from wife Lucy in their small Doveton kitchen, reminded Malcolm he had invited his main circus performers to lunch and he wandered towards the front door of much expanded fibro home. “My mansion”, he said to himself. His proudest building achievement was undoubtedly the concrete front patio with Corinthian columns. Much admired by his neighbours.

As he looked down the road, he sighted Scott the performing dog coming swiftly forward carrying his double act, namely Tony pArrot. A squeaky creature, pArrot always too colourful and something of a hindrance to Scott the dog as during performances, the flapping wings of Tony somehow always veered right and unbalanced their quite popular duet!

Further down the street he noticed the Bishop python. She slithered quite fast to catch up with the duet. Malcolm breathed to himself, thank god the other python bishop was retired. She had gobbled to much of public purse and simply had to leave and luckily was pastured out with a significant number of the audience to keep her well fed. He liked the current Bishop python, but distrusted those penetrating snake eyes and never wanted her too close, just in case.

Pyne the seal, a much loved addition to the troupe was making his way forward with his seal family, a friendly bunch. Pynnie as he affectionately known always finished every gig with a broad smile of self satisfaction, even if he blotched his flying act. But the audiences loved him, so Malcolm KP never criticised too much.

In the far distance he noted the slow progress of Brandis the very grumpy koala. He slept during many performances and and caused controversy by this unfortunate habit. Malcolm recalled another supper at the Dovton mansion when Brandis climbed into his Corinthian columns and slept. Much discussion ensued on how to wake him.

Scott the dog suggested some screechy soprano record but on hearing this Brandis opened one eye momentarily. Lucy however saved the day and prodded him with a broom ordering him off the column as his sharp claws were damaging the carefully applied faux marble paint and even the underneath concrete. She was quite cross and didn’t want him invited back. But Malcolm KP insisted as Brandis handled legal matters and was very effective in cutting the Arts budget for the troupe.

In the far far distance he saw that unfortunate act, Christenson the crocodile. While very popular with the audience in the back rows, the front seats shrieked with fear as he snapped around the ring. Luckily he was a very overweight croc and had not devoured an audience member in the Big Top. Malcolm was not sure what happened outside. However Christenson had his internal supporters and stayed with the troupe.

Waiting on the patio, Malcolm KP knew they would all be most excited about the Canberra gig.

*Josephine Zananiri lives in the Independent electorate of Indi in Vic and currently works in the manual labour arena tending native and exotic trees, so has plenty of time to think. Followed everywhere by her two dogs Percy and Fino who generally agree on all subjects, only occasionally deserting the conversation in the chase for samba deer! Slight differences in logic can therefore be attributed to the two woofers leaving their critical post!