LesleyScoble.com

I wrote The Circus with the 250 words limitation for the The Unicorn Challenge 29/07/23 . To write a story inspired by this photo.

The Circus

The man with the whip laughed. Where is your magic now? Hah! I am a wizard of animal control. Thousands will come to watch you dance to my will. You shall make me rich! 

What could the captured unicorn do? His powerful horn was now on display in a glass trophy case. The cruelty of his situation saddened his magical soul. The logging of the woodland where he dwelled left him homeless. His once pristine forest full of life was gone. 

In sorrow he’d set off to search for a new habitat where he could live among his friends, the animals and birds—but only met the evil ringmaster for whom he now performed. 
Unbeknownst to him, hidden in the crowd, watching the show was an old friend. A Whisperkin faery in disguise. The faery vowed that the unicorn thief shall  know the consequences of his actions. 

That night, a powerful shaft of moonlight slipped into the stall of the unicorn. A magnificent transformation occurred. The unicorn’s horn grew back bigger, more radiant and powerful than ever before. Meanwhile, the faery entered the bedroom and thence into the dream of the man who boasted control over the unicorn, warning him of the grave mistake of causing harm to a creature of rare beauty and enchantment. 

As dawn broke, the ringmaster awoke with understanding and wisdom. He learned the value of respecting and preserving the magic of nature. Filled with remorse, the man disbanded the circus and set the unicorn free..

Lesley Scoble,  August 2023

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My thanks to Jenne Gray  and to  C. E. Ayr. for the writing inspiration.

Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright, (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.