All eyes were aglow when Poppa bear (me) was exclaiming how, “Someone has been eating my porridge” (the fairy tale seemed to carry double the impact as it was translated from language to another.). The children’s eyes glistened. A vaudeville performer by nature I could sense the audiences engagement. My co-teacher and I had found the pulse. The learners were riveted. I had that on stage Zen where time stops. Suddenly there is a knock at the classroom door. In sweeps two circus performers. They are not in costume but have a carny’s look. Now the poppa bear is forgotten. Goldilocks may get eaten for all they care. It seems these two imposing figures are here to announce that after school on Monday that the traveling circus will visit the town. “Here Ye, Here Ye, come to the Greatest Show on Earth, right here in your village…” I look about, looking for the cameraman, a moment so absurd that perhaps Fellini is here filming. Suddenly into the classroom, walks a random stray dog. His brown eyes glisten, his tail all a wag. I think he has heard of the circus coming to town. He must be here to audition. The stray dog wants to run away with the circus. School and learning English are forgotten. The performers exit, the dog follows. Poppa bear looks into the sea of brown expectant eyes, dogs, bears, and circus’s. The children are in a state of Christmas excitement.
Not to be outdone poppa bear grows more menacing. All the little folk forget that they do not have the two laris to pay for the circus. All they got is a teacher as old as a Babbia (granny) who seems to think she is a bear. And a Georgians speaking teacher who seems to believe her. And so once upon a time continues…
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