Chapter 4: The Exodus Fair
As Kleos drew nearer to the country gates, he heard cheering and a abundance of laughter. This meant only one thing: that the Exodus Fair was starting. It was a tradition to celebrate the freedom of the Shavronites from the Tajirians; a well known adventure in Shavron history. Every year for the past two hundred years, a few citizens would dye their fur orange and paint black stripes on themselves to reenact the time of slavery long ago. The performance was held at Eldos Square. Everyone was looking forward to this year's performance: for a real tiger (a good one) would play the part of Aznar. After the play, the actors were given a round of applause and the fair officially began.
There was a good spread of food that was made throughout the entire marketplace so anyone could sample the rich puddings or the sweet cakes that were baked. The savory smell of the food brought many to the tables, and it was said that this was always the most popular spot during the fair. Puppet plays were presented for children, a minstrel was singing hymns , and hundreds of festival stands (mostly stagecoaches) were ready to entertain anyone who stood to watch. At one of these stands stood a tall jack-rabbit, named Jaq. The rabbit was dress modestly: a gray shirt, a gray cape sown with patches, and a top hat with a hole in it. Jaq removed his hat, revealing that his left ear was cut in half. Although this was startling to some, it did not deter him from giving the crowd a gracious welcome.
"My fellow Shavronites. I thank you for your time. If your wanting entertainment, you have come to the right place, let me begin by—"
Suddenly another rabbit came from behind the stages curtain. She was shorter than Jaq, but not by much. She took the time to interrupt him to the audience‘s surprise.
"What are you doing?" she said looking around.
"Excuse my wife, Priscilla, " said Jaq, " sometimes she can be quiet bothersome."
"Bothersome?" she said, "I‘m amazed you haven‘t bored the crowd with running the big yap of yours: your mouth runs more the river on the eastside."
The crowd went to laughter as they began to understand the playful skit. Jaq, took the time to straighten his hat, returning a cunning retort.
"It seems my wife has forgotten her manners. She forgets anything and everything."
"Are calling me stupid?" Priscilla said rolling her neck. Jaq turned his head slowly and replied,
"Only during the working hours, my dear."
There was even a big outburst of laughter, the comic bickering went on to the crowds delight. Afterwards Jaq performed a series of magic tricks, and Priscilla finished off with a routine called "Sing and Catch" by juggling a ball, two oranges, and a plate while reciting a popular poem known by most of the Shavronites:
During the summer time when all is well and free,
We eat heartily and sing merrily like the buzzing of the bee.
Yet summer ends as the cold winds pass by.
And because of our sorrow we let out a great sigh.
But soon winter will pass and spring will enter in.
And once again we will know that summer...is about to begin.
As she finished the poem, she threw the objects in the air, took a knee, and caught the plate with the ball landing on it. In the other hand, she caught one orange, and the other landed on top of her head in perfect balance. The crowd was already large and when the hare had finish a grand round of applause was given. Jaq came beside his wife, both taking a few bows with the continuing praise.
"Ah, our adoring fans," said Jaq, how we love you all."
"We also would love your money." said Priscilla in jest, "Please be kind as to reward our entertaining efforts."
The crowd, well entertained, deposited plenty of currency in the basket nearby. After the crowd left, Priscilla retrieved the crate, taking it behind the stage curtain.
"Wow, we made a heap of cash this time!"
Jaq resting for his next performance, took the crate and began to count the money. He separated it into two piles, the first was for expenses, and the other half was used to appease Pricilla‘s and Jaq‘s habit of gambling. They loved money and did anything to get it. It was gambling that lost Jaq part of his left ear; for he got in a fight with badger who did not like Jaq‘s way of playing cards. Nevertheless both rabbits made plans go to a game of cards.
"We'll cash in big this time!," said Jaq rubbing his hands, "I‘ll buy you anything you want."
"Really?!!" she said happily. Jaq kissed his wife on the cheek.
"I promise."
At the game, Jaq lost all his earnings and with Priscilla crying at his side, both rabbits left the card game broke as usual.
"I almost had him," said Jaq crossing his arms in agitation, "and then he pulled that ace!"
"What now?" Priscilla said wiping her eyes. Jaq hunched his shoulders.
It was at this time that Kleos entered the fair. He stayed on the outskirts of the fair where most to the crowds did not mingle. The back alleys were dirty and the smell of trash filled the air. Kleos was looking or should I say following a sound that had caught his ear. It was the song of praise to God! It came from a old blind cat who wept as he leaned on a staff against the wall.
"Why are you crying," said Kleos.
"I cry because God doesn‘t hear me. I asked to be healed of my blindness for years, I have praised him, and yet God has not come to me."
"Lean over, cat." said Kleos.
Kleos pressed his fingers on his eyes and wiped them. The old cat began to shake as his blindness disappeared.
"Tell no one of this," said Kleos commanding him sternly, "but go to the judges of this land and show them what God has done for you."
But despite the command, the old cat quickly made his way into the crowds, proclaiming what had happened to him. Heads turned, creatures began to talk; Jaq and Priscilla listened carefully just as the rest of the crowd did. The old cat raised his voice praising God; but they asked who had healed him: for many in the crowd knew that he was blind and a beggar, he could give a name. The crowds searched the alleyway, but Kleos was not there. They looked in the buildings, but he was not seen there either. All day the crowds looked for him, but he did not reveal himself. Finally during the night and after the crowds had dispersed, Kleos sat by the stagecoach of Jaq and Priscilla. Both rabbits had come from a nightly card game--still broke as usual. When Kleos saw Jaq and Priscilla he said,
"What are you talking about?" said Jaq, "We are not blind like the old cat." But Kleos was not talking about physical sight, but their sin.
Priscilla caught on and said,
"Its him---the one that healed the old cat!"
"Let‘s follow him," said Jaq whispering in his wife‘s ear, "We may come out on the better end of this, if you know what I mean.
Priscilla did, and as Kleos left the fair as the rabbits followed.