If Only You Knew
There are some things that I feel incredibly strongly about, and this is one of them. I was looking at a website the other day which made me cry, and this story popped out. I hope that everyone who feels strongly about something does something to educate someone else – maybe then these things that hurt us will end.
Update: Something very exciting has come out of something very sad – this has been featured on the home page! I am shocked and amazed.
If Only You Knew belongs to the following groups:
For the Love of Cats , 1 image a day and Twisted TalesShe stands behind the curtain listening to the hum of the crowd, smelling the hotdogs and popcorn, looking at the bright spotlights flashing through the gap in the curtain every once in a while. She still feels the pinch of nerves before every show, even though she has been doing it for so long now. She can hardly remember a time when this wasn’t her life, her routine, but there must have been one. She feels old and tired now, just wishing for a rest, but she knows he won’t let her stop.
The familiar music starts up, and so does the instant reaction – the hum becomes a roar, and adrenaline courses through her, sharpening the smells, saturating the spotlights and quickening her breathing until she doesn’t think she can take any more. Then he signals and she steps into the ring.
It doesn’t go well tonight. She is weary and a bit sore, and the monotony of her routine doesn’t help her to concentrate. She stumbles once or twice and completely messes up one of the jumps. The pinch of nerves becomes full felt fear – she knows what will happen now, she knows what he will think, what he will do.
Back behind the curtain, away from the excited eyes and glowing faces, the blows rain down upon her, all over her. She can’t get away from him, he is everywhere. Helpless she crouches in the corner, and waits as she has waited so many times before for it to be over, waits for her lesson to be learnt.
Another day, another town, another field, another set of excited eyes and glowing faces. She is near the entrance, watching the world go by – the small pleasure of the sun on her face, so rarely felt these days, warms a part of her. But it isn’t enough, it isn’t enough.
A woman and child approach her. The child squirms in his mother’s arms, desperate to catch a look at her face.
“Is she the one on the poster? Can we go to the circus tonight? Can we? I want to see the tiger! What does she do?”
“Well darling, I don’t know what she does, but of course we can see. I bet she’ll be pleased to get out of that cramped cage and do her tricks though!”
If only you knew.
If only you knew.
Micky McGuinness
I had an inkling that the story was about a performing animal, but it was still an enjoyable though sad twist. I’d have been tempted to let her get her revenge on her cruel trainer.
Emma Robinson replied
Hmmm yes – good point. Although that would have been a bit too satisfying for me – I was feeling very affected by a website I saw about it all, and I felt more strongly about her situation being totally helpless (as they are) than there being a happy ending (which there isn’t). Perhaps I am too emotionally connected to this kind of thing to make an objective ‘story’ decision if you see what I mean.
Micky McGuinness
Hi Emma, I know what you mean, you don’t want to obscure the point of the story by changing the focus slightly.
Emma Robinson replied
Maybe next time she will have her revenge – when I am feeling a bit more positive! I also just noticed that both of my twists so far have been cat related… I am clearly more of a crazy cat lady than even I had realised
Debbie Irwin
Well written! Bless her heart…
Emma Robinson replied
Thanks Debbie. It makes me so sad to think this really is happening out there somewhere…. Ah well – best keep signing the petitions, writing the councillors etc…
Miri
yep you crazy cat lady :-)
nice story, so very sad.
having just seen some wondrous big animals in the wild it’s so hard to think of any in captivity in this way
Emma Robinson replied
I know. It breaks my heart. When I’m world leader things will be very different, you mark my words!
WanderingAuthor
Ever since I was old enough to understand what they really involve, I’ve hated circuses. When one of the animals goes on a rampage, they blame the animal! Why not blame the rotten, cruel conditions that drive the animals crazy instead?
I know you agree with me. :-) Your story was just so powerful, I had to rant a bit. The thought of anyone treating a creature as magnificent as a tiger that way…
Emma Robinson replied
Rant away. My internal voice is often kept busy ranting about these things. I made a pact with myself a few years ago that if anything made me cry then I should do something about it – so I spend a lot of time educating myself and searching out petitions, protests, letter writing etc, and I now volunteer at the RSPCA. I wish people weren’t so inclined to turn a blind eye (and I don’t just mean circus animals, but all the injustices of the world).
Sorry – I ranted a bit then too!
On a separate note though, and at the risk of being a bit self congratulatory – this story, and Manipulation just got featured on the home page! I am very excited (and hope that this makes a few more people think about the real story behind animals in entertainment)
WanderingAuthor
Yes, I saw they were featured. Congratulations! It was well deserved, and, yes, I think there’s a chance someone might think twice after reading that story. Personally, I think it is worth seeking exposure for it; see if any of the animal rights groups could use it, for example.
As for ranting, don’t apologise; there is so much injustice in the world, and so many people who don’t care. I’m glad to see someone doing something about it; thank you.
Emma Robinson replied
Thanks WA – I do get a bit carried away, and then I fret that I just come across as a rampant rabid activist or something.
Thanks for your congratulations too – I have been irritatingly giddy and pleased with myself all day, I promise I will be calmer and nicer after a good night’s sleep!
Judylee
Nice….
Emma Robinson replied
Well not nice for the poor tigger, but I know what you mean… thanks!
Judylee
LOL, no.. I meant your writing is nice. You sure have a way with words to draw the reader in to your story. Great job!
Damian
Good work, using your powers for good, you crazy cat lady :)
I like the way you’ve ended it.
Emma Robinson replied
Ha haaa – thank you! See – we crazy cat ladies aren’t all bad!
ayearning
i love it, thank you
Emma Robinson replied
Thank you
ayearning
KNEW