Dear reader, in this article, I want you to join me to do some brain gymnastics. Forcing our imagination to the upper level. Basically, you are the one who’s gonna decide the way to the end, so be prepared. 

First of all, I want you to think about a clown. It can be scary, it can be funny, it can have a make up, maybe a blue dress, everything. After that, think of a name for your clown. I am doing the same steps as you while you’re reading this, but let’s keep it a secret for a while.

Now that you have your clown on your mind let’s take a small trip back to their childhood. Imagine your clown as a young child, full of dreams and curiosity. What was their favorite toy? Perhaps it was a juggling set or a pair of oversized shoes. What were their dreams? Maybe to become the best clown in the world. I don’t know, you decide. Did they always have a knack for making people laugh or scare, even in kindergarten? 

Now, picture your clown’s first day at school. They might have worn a little hat with a spinning propeller on top, making all the kids giggle. Were they the class clown, always in trouble for pulling pranks and telling jokes? Or were they shy, only revealing their funny side to their closest friends? My clown was a little shy. He was afraid to tell jokes in public, but he was the funniest among his close friends. But be patient, don’t give me any information about your clown. Not just yet. The story continues.

As your clown grows older, think about their teenage years. Did they join the theater club or maybe the circus during summer breaks? Did they have friends to perform with in the streets? How was their personality? Were they happy, sad? Imagine them discovering their passion for performing, practicing routines in the backyard, and dreaming about being on the top of the clowns.

During these formative years, your clown faced a critical time in their life. Perhaps they had to overcome stage fright, or fear of failure. We all have ups and downs in life and sometimes it gets frustrating. But the way of life is a learning process itself, and we learn about life, about everything day by day.

One summer, they attended a circus camp where they experienced a clown take them under their wing. This mentor helped them build confidence. Teached them not only the ways of clowning but also the importance of life, and the meanings of being a good clown.

Now, let’s fast forward to their adulthood. Your clown has graduated from clown college. They’ve learned everything from pie-throwing to unicycling. They created a unique persona. Complete with a signature make-up, and a colorful costume. They carry with them the powerful lessons they learned from their childhood and teenage years, shaping them into the clown they are today.

Life as a professional clown isn’t always easy. Imagine your clown’s first big performance, at a local fair. The nerves, the excitement, the thrill of hearing the audience’s laughter for the first time. How do they handle the pressure? Did they fail, and proudly laughed at their poor performance, knowing that in life there are also failures and we learn mostly from the failures. Or was it a great performance? 

Despite a few hiccups, the show was great! After that, they travel town to town, knowing that they are on the right path. As they travel town to town your clown encounters great adventures, making new friends, entertaining people along the way and maybe a love story, a little heartbreak too!

One day, on a cold and foggy evening, your clown stumbles upon an old, forgotten circus tent in the outskirts of a town.

As they cautiously made their way inside the tent where they discovered an old, antique treasure chest filled with an old clown costume and its accessories. Motivated, they made the decision to fix the tent and cheer up the locals and kids. As they were getting ready, they noticed an odd rustling sound outside. It’s the sound of bells jingling and laughter. When your clown goes outside, he notices another clown approaching.

The clown had a completely different appearance. Its face is painted with a broad  white smile and rosy cheeks, and it has a bright nose that seems to glow even in the dark of evening. It’s dressed in a green dress with purple polka dots, a frilly, oversized collar, and colorful patches. Its hair is a crazy chaos of orange and gray curls, and a tiny, tipped hat with a sticking feather sits on top of it.

The approaching clown waves enthusiastically and does a playful cartwheel before coming to a stop in front of your clown. They extend a hand and introduce themselves with a voice full of warmth and excitement.

“Hello there, my name is Gorki. I couldn’t help but notice this beautiful tent. Are you planning to do something special here?”

Your clown, intrigued by Gorki’s energy and charm, shakes their hand and shares their plans to restore the tent and bring joy to the people of the town. Gorki’s eyes light up with excitement.

“That’s fantastic! How about we join forces? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, and I’m sure together we can create something truly magical.”

Together, they brainstorm several ideas to make the circus tent a place of wonder and happiness. Now, dear reader, it’s up to you to choose the path they take:

If you think they should open a grand circus show, imagine them working tirelessly, practicing new acts and perfecting their routines. The night of the show, the tent is filled with families and children, all eagerly awaiting the performance. The show is a huge success, leaving the audience in awe and spreading joy throughout the town.

If you believe they should turn the tent into a clown school, picture them teaching children and adults the art of clowning. They hold workshops on juggling, face painting, and comedy. The school becomes a beloved community center where people come to learn, laugh, and make new friends. The students’ performances bring continuous joy to the town.

If you imagine them creating a circus museum, think of them showcasing the history and magic of clowning. They collect old costumes, props, and posters, turning the tent into a vibrant, educational space. Visitors from all around come to learn about the rich history of the circus and leave with a deeper appreciation for the art of clowning.

As you make your choice, think about how your clown has grown from their humble beginnings to becoming the heart of their community. What have they learned? How have they changed? And most importantly, how have they made the world a better place with their laughter and joy. 

In the end, whether your clown put on a grand show, started a school, or created a museum, the true magic lies in their journey. It’s not just about the destination, but about the joy, laughter, and connections made along the way. Your clown’s story teaches us that no matter where we come from or what obstacles we face, we all have the power to bring happiness to others and make a positive impact on the world.

Now dear reader, I reveal my clown.

Emre Görkem Bolat