The Circus by David Cory (1984)

Name: The Circus
Author: David Cory

A young rabbit, Little Jack Rabbit, prepares for a circus party, inviting friends from the forest and meadow. He hops to gather his cousins, who eagerly agree to join him. The next morning, excitement builds as they board the Billy Goat Stage Coach, driven by a kind old dog. The journey to Turnip City is filled with cheerful chatter and songs, as various animals and birds squeeze into the coach. They encounter a toll gate, where the old dog driver negotiates the fare with a duck, leading to a humorous counting contest. Upon arriving in Turnip City, the group is greeted by a bustling circus atmosphere. They enter the tent to witness a grand parade featuring elephants, clowns, and performers, including the Circus Queen. The show captivates everyone, with laughter and applause echoing throughout the tent. After the performance, the friends return to the stage coach, filled with joy and memories of the day. As they head home, they reflect on the fun they had, with Little Jack Rabbit feeling fulfilled by the experience. The story concludes with a warm family dinner, emphasizing the importance of dreams and the joy of shared adventures. The narrative captures the whimsical charm of a circus through the eyes of young animals, celebrating friendship and imagination.

By David Cory · First published 1984 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Coming of Age · 3,421 words

First lines

Goodness gracious me! That Billy Goat Stage Coach will be dreadfully crowded if Little Jack Rabbit invites many more friends to his circus party. Of course, when you come to think it over, the birds can perch on the roof and the little animals crawl under the seats; maybe one or two might sit with the stage coach driver, the nice Old Dog who smokes a big pipe while holding the reins in his left paw and the whip in his right. Oh, he's a good driver, so kind and gentle that the billy goat team will do anything for him.

"Dear me, I mustn't forget a single friend," thought the little rabbit, as he hopped over the Bubbling Brook and across the Sunny Meadow to the Old Brush Heap.

What this Textopian page supports

The Circus is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1984 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: David Cory
Date: 1984 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Coming of Age
Length: 3,421 words
Structure: 1 section, 112 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Circus by David Cory
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Circus?
How does this short story by David Cory fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — David Cory is known for his children's books, and 'The Circus' is no exception. It aims to educate young readers while keeping them entertained with fun and engaging storylines.
Adventure — The plot of 'The Circus' involves elements of adventure as the characters explore the exciting and unpredictable world of the circus.
Coming of Age — The story presents the main characters going through personal growth and learning about themselves and the world around them, which is a common theme in coming-of-age stories.