The Clown's Surprise

    By Storybird

    The Clown's Surprise cover image

    27 Jul, 2023

    When a brightly-dressed clown entered the local pharmacy, everyone turned to look. His giant shoes squeaked on the tile floor, and he held a huge, colorful umbrella in one hand.

    At the corner of the shop, a young boy of about seven perched on a stool, flipping through a comic book. His eyes widened when he saw the clown. He recognized him instantly. It was his father.

    His father, whose real name was Arthur, was a professional clown who performed at birthday parties, carnivals, and festivals. He used to tell his son that laughter was the best medicine.

    Despite his vibrant appearance, Arthur was there to pick up his mother's medicine. His mother had been sick for a while, and Arthur was her caretaker. Caring for her was a responsibility he took seriously.

    Arthur approached the counter, exchanging friendly banter with the pharmacist, which made everyone around laugh. The space that was earlier filled with silence was now filled with mirth.

    The young boy watched in awe as his father transformed the surroundings. He had always admired his father's ability to bring joy wherever he went, even in places as mundane as a pharmacy.

    Arthur completed his transaction, waved at the pharmacist and turned to leave. Suddenly, he noticed his son sitting at the corner, eyes wide in awe. He winked at him, and the boy giggled.

    Arthur approached his son and ruffled his hair. Then, with a swift movement, he turned his umbrella upside down revealing it was filled with confetti. He shook it, and the colorful bits showered all around.

    The boy laughed heartily, his laughter infectious, making others around them join in. For a moment, the pharmacy did not feel like a place where medicines were sold. It felt like a party.

    Arthur, still in his clown attire, and his son, with confetti in his hair, stepped out of the pharmacy. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm glow on their faces.

    Hand in hand, father and son walked towards their home. The young boy chattered about his day at school, his words meshing with the faint rustle of paper bag containing the prescribed medicines.

    Arthur listened attentively, nodding and laughing at all the right moments. He cherished these little moments with his son, his heart swelling with love and pride for the little boy.

    As they neared their home, the young boy's excitement slowly turned into worry. He knew their grandmother was very sick, and despite his father's best attempts, he couldn't ignore the tension.

    Sensing his son's worry, Arthur knelt down in front of him. He held his small shoulders and looked into his blue eyes, so much like his own. He reminded him about the power of laughter and positivity.

    The young boy listened with rapt attention, drawing strength from his father's words. He nodded, promising to remember his father's wisdom and to try his best to spread joy, just like him.

    They entered the house, still bright with the light of the setting sun. As they took off their shoes and hung their jackets, the aroma of the freshly made dinner wafted in to the hallway.

    Their grandmother was seated at the dining table, waiting for them. Seeing them, her face lit up with a warm smile. Her eyes twinkled as she noticed the confetti in her grandson's hair.

    The young boy rushed to her, hugging her tightly and recounting his adventure at the pharmacy. The grandmother laughed heartily, listening to his tales and teasing Arthur about his performance.

    As the night fell, they gathered around the dinner table, sharing food, stories, and laughter. Despite the looming worry, they found happiness in each other's company.

    Later, as the young boy drifted off to sleep, he could hear his father's laughter echoing around the house. Despite the uncertainties of life, he knew that as long as there was laughter, everything would be okay.

    The night was silent, but the echo of laughter hung in the air, reminding everyone in the house about the power of joy, love, and resilience. And so, the house slept, nestled in a cocoon of hope and positivity.

    The next morning, the young boy woke up with the confetti still lingering in his hair. Sleepily, he reached up and plucked out a piece, a faint smile playing on his lips as he remembered the previous night.

    As he went about his day, he remembered his promise to his father. He greeted everyone he met with a smile, making it his mission to spread joy wherever he went.

    It wasn't long before the young boy started to see the effect of his actions. People seemed happier around him, their faces lighting up when they saw him approaching.

    At the end of the day, he returned home, tired but happy. He had learned an important lesson that day; no matter how tough life gets, a smile and laughter can make everything better.

    That night, as he drifted off to sleep, he made a promise to himself. He decided to be like his father, to become a source of joy and laughter for everyone around him.

    Years later, he did become a clown, just like his father. He performed at birthday parties, carnivals, and festivals, spreading joy and laughter wherever he went.

    But most importantly, he remembered his father's words about the power of laughter, and he made sure to practice it every day. Because he knew, just like his father before him, that laughter truly was the best medicine.

    And so, each time he entered a room, just like his father at the pharmacy that day, he transformed it. He turned mundane spaces into vibrant ones, brought smiles to people's faces and made sure laughter echoed around him.

    He wasn't just a clown; he was a purveyor of joy, a healer of hearts. He continued his father's legacy, passing on the same wisdom to his children.

    For him, life was a continuous carnival, filled with laughter, joy and the love of his family. He realized that it wasn't the paint on his face or the clothes on his body that made him a clown.

    It was his ability to bring joy to others, to transform their day with his cheerfulness, and to continually believe in the healing power of laughter. That's what made him a clown. That's what made him his father's son.

    And so, every time he walked into a room, the echo of his father's laughter rang in his ears, reminding him of his purpose. He would look around, take a deep breath, and then, like a burst of confetti, fill the room with laughter.

    He became an embodiment of joy and laughter, carrying forward his father's legacy, touching people's lives with his radiant positivity, and reaffirming the power of laughter, one giggle at a time.

    And in doing so, he became the proof of his father's belief - Laughter indeed was the best medicine. For him, for his family, and for everyone who had the privilege of encountering his infectious joy.