was created especially for

Jessica Ann Smith

at the age of 6

With love from

Mommy and Daddy

October 2, 2001

 Page 3

Jessica had waited such a long time

for the circus to come to town.

She had always dreamed of seeing the lions,

elephants, and clowns.

Now the time had finally come.

Jessica was going to see

that in the town of Fort Wayne,

her dreams can become a reality.

Page 4

"Welcome children, young and old,

to the greatest show around.

Welcome to the place where animals,

magic, and entertainment can be found.

Step right up and take your seat,

inside the tent so grand,"

a friendly clown said to Jessica

and her friends at the ticket stand.

Page 7

Amy stood patiently

and waited to sit in place.

Suddenly, a clown rushed out with

a worried look on her face.

"One of our clowns isn't feeling well!" she said.

"I'm afraid he can't do the show.

Would Jessica be willing to take his place?

That's all I need to know."

Page 8

The clown looked down, studied

Jessica, and then smiled with great delight.

"Would you be willing to take his place?

You are just the perfect height!"

Jessica looked at her friends with

a great big grin and quickly agreed to go.

"Hi, Jessica, my name is Coco,

and tonight you'll be in the show."

Coco painted Jessica's face white

and gave her bright colored clothes.

She topped Jessica's head

with a bright orange wig

and put a red ball on her nose.

Page 11

When Jessica was through

getting dressed, the lights in the tent went out.

A spotlight shone on the ringmaster,

who started to walk and shout.

"As we begin, please give your attention

to the cage just on my right.

Daniel, our fearless lion trainer,

has worked here both day and night."

Page 12

Six giant beasts rushed into the cage,

as Daniel cracked his whip.

Jessica thought to herself, "I could do that,

but it's something I'd rather skip."

They jumped through hoops and formed

a line, and Jessica thought it was funny,

when a lion rolled onto his back,

and showed the crowd his tummy.

Page 15

Suddenly, it seemed to Jessica

that everything happened at once.

Three separate groups came into the tent

to perform three different stunts.

First came a clown on a one-wheeled ride,

as fast as he could go.

Juggling things up in the air,

he was sure to steal the show.

Page 19

In the third ring was the funniest thing.

Jessica thought she had seen it all,

when a mouse and seal team

stunned the crowd

with balloons and a big bright ball.

Page 20

The circus fun went on and on.

It seemed to last all day.

Clowns rolled in on a fire truck

with hoses ready to spray.

Amy got ready for a soak.

But when confetti sprayed out,

she laughed and saw that it was a joke.

Page 23

Jessica was busy watching the show

and completely lost track of time.

She was startled when she heard Coco say,

"Get ready, we're next in line!"

Page 24

"Get ready for the big parade!"

Coco said to Jessica with a grin.

"You get to ride an elephant

that goes by the name of Big Ben."

Jessica's eyes grew wide,

and she laughed with delight

when Coco pointed and said,

"Climb up this ladder to get on his back

and sit behind his head."

Page 27

Jessica climbed on the back of Big Ben,

who stood at least twelve feet high.

Just as Jessica was settling in,

she heard the ring master cry,

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid to say

we're close to the end of our show,

but we'd like to give you one last act,

before we let you go."

Page 28

"We're going to have a big parade,

right here inside our tent,

but I have a great announcement to make,

before we begin the event.

The one who's going to lead the parade

lives right here in your home town.

It brings me pleasure to present to you,

Fort Wayne's own Jessica the clown!"

Page 31

When Jessica had gotten off Big Ben

and thanked him for the ride,

she went to find Coco the Clown

and give her a hug good-bye.

On the way home, Jessica remembered

the show, where magic and wonder were found.

Jessica knew that she would never forget

the day the circus came to town.