Water for Elephants

During the 1930s, elephants were a main attraction of the traveling circus.  In this photo, c. 1930, we see elephants, performers and a very large crowd (at the top of the picture) inside a circus tent.  Image online, courtesy U.S. National Archives.

Hey, there!  Hoop-la!  The circus is in town!
Have you seen the elephant?  Have you seen the clown?
Have you seen the dappled horse gallop round the ring?
Have you seen the acrobats on the dizzy swing?
Have you seen the tumbling men tumble up and down?
Hoop-la!  Hoop-la!  The circus is in town!

From
The Circus
By C. J. Dennis (1876-1938)
Australian Poet (and Circus Lover)

It's 1931.  America is in the grip of an economic depression.  People are out of work, times are hard and there seems no way out of the misery.

Then ... for a day, at least ... it's time to set aside the gut-churning turmoil.  The circus is coming to town!

VISUAL VOCABULARY BUILDER

For This Story

Author: Carole D. Bos, J.D.

Key to Color-Coded Links

Original Release Date:  April, 2011
Updated March, 2013