The Big Circus was created especially for

Larissa Marie Brown
at the age of 6


With love from
Mommy and Daddy
October 2, 2001

Larissa had waited such a long time
for the circus to come to town.
She had always dreamed of seeing the lions,
elephants, and clowns.
Now the time had finally come.
Larissa was going to see
that in the town of Waukegan,
her dreams can become a reality.

"Welcome children, young and old,
to the greatest show around.
Welcome to the place where animals,
magic, and entertainment can be found.
Step right up and take your seat,
inside the tent so grand,"
a friendly clown said to Larissa
and her friends at the ticket stand.

Clarice stood patiently
and waited to sit in place.
Suddenly, a clown rushed out with
a worried look on her face.
"One of our clowns isn't feeling well!" she said.
"I'm afraid he can't do the show.
Would Larissa be willing to take his place?
That's all I need to know."

The clown looked down, studied Larissa,
and then smiled with great delight.
"Would you be willing to take his place?
You are just the perfect height!"
Larissa looked at her friends with
a great big grin and quickly agreed to go.
"Hi, Larissa, my name is Coco,
and tonight you'll be in the show."
Coco painted Larissa's face white
and gave her bright colored clothes.
She topped Larissa's head
with a bright orange wig
and put a red ball on her nose.

When Larissa was through
getting dressed, the lights in the tent went out.
A spotlight shone on the ringmaster,
who started to walk and shout.
"As we begin, please give your attention
to the cage just on my right.
Where Daniel, our fearless lion trainer,
has worked here both day and night."

Six giant beasts rushed into the cage,
as Daniel cracked his whip.
Larissa thought to herself, "I could do that,
but it's something I'd rather skip."
They jumped through hoops and formed
a line, and Larissa thought it was funny,
when a lion rolled onto his back,
and showed the crowd his tummy.

As Larissa looked up
at the very top of the tent,
she had to guess that the next act
was a most dangerous event.
Larissa saw a clown step forward
and jump on a flying trapeze.
After he swung a couple of times,
he hung upside down by his knees.

Suddenly, it seemed to Larissa
that everything happened at once.
Three separate groups came into the tent
to perform three different stunts.
First came a clown on a one-wheeled ride,
as fast as he could go.
Juggling things up in the air,
he was sure to steal the show.

In the third ring was the funniest thing.
Larissa thought she had seen it all,
when a mouse and seal team
stunned the crowd
with balloons and a big bright ball.

The circus fun went on and on.
It seemed to last all day.
Clowns rolled in on a fire truck
with hoses ready to spray.
Clarice got ready for a soak.
But when confetti sprayed out,
she laughed, and saw that it was a joke.

Larissa was busy watching the show
and completely lost track of time.
She was startled when she heard Coco say,
"Get ready, we're next in line!"

"Get ready for the big parade!"
Coco said to Larissa with a grin.
"You get to ride an elephant
that goes by the name of Big Ben."
Larissa's eyes grew wide,
and she laughed with delight
when Coco pointed and said,
"Climb up this ladder to get on his back
and sit behind his head."

Larissa climbed on the back of Big Ben,
who stood at least twelve feet high.
Just as Larissa was settling in,
she heard the ring master cry,
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid to say
we're close to the end of our show,
but we'd like to give you one last act,
before we let you go."

"We're going to have a big parade,
right here inside our tent,
but I have a great announcement to make,
before we begin the event.
The one who's going to lead the parade
lives right here in your home town.
It brings me pleasure to present to you,
Waukegan's own Larissa the clown!"

When Larissa had gotten off Big Ben
and thanked him for the ride,
she went to find Coco the Clown
and give her a hug good-bye.
On the way home, Larissa remembered
the show, where magic and wonder were found.
Larissa knew that she would never forget
the day the circus came to town.