Harold

Harold has finally done it. He has found a way to escape from the Circus. He always heard how young boys wanted to run away from their parents and their home just to join the Circus. In some ways Harold could understand the appeal. You get to travel from city to city, interact with all kinds of animals and freaks and live primarily on cotton candy and peanuts. And maybe that was the dream life for a boy. But not for Harold. You see, Harold is a seal.

He could not have picked a better location to make his escape. The Circus train was headed south from Vancouver to Seattle. The jump was a little scary but Harold was not shaken. He had been fighting for his freedom ever since his first trumpet practice. The balancing of the beach balls was tolerable. But one more rendition of Yankee Doodle on those damn horns and Harold was ready to blow his brains out. But now freedom was his and he could smell the saltwater. He just needed to make it over the next ridge. The awkward galloping and flopping on the dry land is more painful than the jump from the train. But it’s still better than the horns!

In the water at last, Harold rolls onto his back and gently floats to wherever the tide wants to take him. Staring into the night sky, Harold can’t believe he escaped the Circus and is free from the horns. He admits to himself that he may miss the beach balls but that’s an easy sacrifice for floating on your back in the ocean, staring at the stars. Finally, Harold has discovered the peaceful life that any seal deserves.

Unfortunately for Harold, the peace doesn’t last long as he is eaten by Chuck, the killer whale.