Demir KOÇAK
INFANT
Hi, my name is Infant. I am an elephant. I was friendly, energetic and loving before I was in the circus. First, I was born in Africa. I was with my lovely family: my sister, my mom and my dad. I was in a herd. They were so many children. I always played with them when I was in Africa. And there was an old elephant. He always found solutions to our problems. He was so clever.
I wanted to be like him but a few years later some people came with a helicopter. I thought they would do something bad to me so I ran fast. They threw a net over me. I’ ve never forgotten that moment. I was taken to a zoo and they put me into the worst cage. There were a lot of animals. All of them were sad. I was sad too because I couldn’ t see my family. I made friends
with the other elephants in the zoo. The zoo food was awful but sometimes people gave us some food.
One month later a man who was wearing very interesting clothes( ring leader) came and we went to his truck. The truck had the word“ circus” written on it. I thought they would send me back home but they didn ' t. I was crushed.
Now I am in the circus. I have seen so many magicians asking for audience participation and so many other performers. I am lonely, sluggish and heartbroken. I am the most important elephant in the circus because I am the youngest elephant. I think it ' s so embarrassing. I heard at the other circuses they whip animals. I think I am lucky because our ring leader never whip an animal. I like him. Circus food is better than the zoo’ s. I do the same things everyday. I wake up. The Ringleader feeds us. Then we practice all day for the show. Then all animals eat their dinner and go to sleep. Sleeping is the best time in the circus because I can see my family in my dreams. I ' ve been hoping to go to see my family.
One day we had a show, it was so important because there were important people in the audience. When I was doing my act, I made a mistake and I fell down but I kept trying. On the second try, I couldn’ t do it again. Then the show ended. I thought the ringleader would whip me but he didn ' t. I saw that he was angry at himself. The next day he came and said " I am so sorry my friend. I couldn‘ t teach you the trick. I promise we will do it."
When I heard this, I promised myself I would be the best circus elephant ever. The Ringleader saw the progress I was making. We practiced so much for the very big show. He invited all the important people again. I performed perfectly.
Finally, I realized that the people separated me from my family but I joined a new family. My new family is the " CIRCUS.”
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