Cindy went to the circus with her mom and big sister. They went inside the big tent and found a seat in the center. From there Cindy could see all the acts going on.

The men on the flying trapeze swung back and forth, hanging by their knees. She saw elephants on parade, trained poodles, tigers and the ring of fire.

Her mother bought them each a popcorn and cotton candy.

Bells started clanging and sirens went off. Cindy looked around and saw a dozen clowns running into the circus ring. They had big red noses and bright colored hats and clothes.

Cindy didn't like the clowns. They honked horns in people's faces and they squirted people in the eyes with water that was hidden in flowers on the clown's clothes. She buried her face in her mom's shoulder. “Make them go away, Mom.” Cindy closed her eyes and heard the clowns moving closer and closer. One of them honked their horn right in her ear and then squirted her with water. Cindy burst out crying. “Go away! Bad clown!”

The clown looked at Cindy and his painted smiley face turned to a frown. “A clown's job is to make kids laugh, not cry,” he said. The clown ran off while Cindy's mother wiped the tears away. A few minutes later he came back and ran towards Cindy. She saw him coming and cried again. “Don't cry, little girl. I won't hurt you.” The clown handed Cindy a bunch of balloons. “These are for you. I want to see you smile.”

Cindy took the balloons from the clown. “Thank you,” she said. She stopped being afraid of the clown and smiled at him.

“That's much better,” the clown said and ran off to join the others.

Cindy enjoyed the rest of the circus. She laughed and clapped and when it was over, she took the balloons and went home and was never afraid of clowns again.