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Mr Chufty says Clowns are supposed to be funny. Paloma isn’t funny. Mr Chufty says clowns are supposed to be entertaining. Paloma isn’t entertaining; she is shy. Mr Chufty says clowns are supposed to be Happy. Paloma knows she can’t be happy all the time and is certain that her teacher, Mr Chufty, isn’t either. In fact, Mr Chufty, despite his respected high-clown status, is a grumpy fart bag who, more often than not, inspires fear in Paloma, and that’s about as far from joy as she can think.
“The definition of a Clown is…” Mr Chufty bellows, waving his pristine white, gloved hands in front of the class as he finishes his sentence. His voice snaps Paloma back to the moment just as she was about to retreat into a daydream, then… BANG! The entire class jumps as a huge puff of gold glittery smoke stuns and dazzles them. “An exaggerated entertainer. A colourful impersonator, a funny animated soul with pomp, pizazz and a dash of rock and roll!” By the time he’s finished speaking, the clowndren are whooping and shouting, clapping, stamping and generally “raising the roof” but not Paloma. She watches the circus of tomfoolery playing out before her, baffled and alone, lost in the din. “Ok, ok, quiet down now,” Mr Chufty says, seizing control of the chaos. The clowndren immediately fall back in line and wait for instruction. Mr Chufty is a big deal. And he knows it. He’s one of the most prestigious performers and teachers the Circus town of Swings and Rounadabouts has ever seen. And so, naturally, the course he teaches is oversubscribed, and the places at The Circus School for the Gifted are limited, which means Paloma has never felt comfortable there. This is mainly due to the circulating rumour that she was only awarded her place on the back of her mother and father’s reputation. So, needless to say, she is not very popular. She is, in fact, working on an act called Shrinking Violet that explores her outsider status. “Let’s get back to the books.” Mr Chufty says loudly, glowering at the Class, “Turn to page 111,” he pronounces before bursting into hysterical laughter, swiftly followed by a deluge of tears. The clowndren are wrapt, silence is followed by a quickening of applause. Mr Chufty bows for ages before he holds his hands up and rolls them into one another: fists, like a conductor might to indicate that they are to stop clapping. He pulls a pom-pom on the front of his waistcoat, and a spotlight falls on him. “Chapter 24. Emotions”, he says dramatically, “you know, the tears of a Clown are not to be underestimated, but they must always be released with an edge of jest.” He turns to Paloma and peers into her with a formidable look in his eyes. She feels herself wither; emotions are not something Paloma likes to show.
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Let me tell you a story.
It’s a story about a clown. But not just any clown. You see, this clown isn’t all about red noses and colourful wigs, oversized pants and elaborate tricks. This clown comes in plain old black-and-white, and her name is Paloma. Paloma Pantera. And this is the beginning of her adventures… The Adventures of a Colourless Clown! |
AuthorHello, my name is Nadine and I am a children's author. This year to celebrate the National Year of Reading I will be regularly publishing chapters of my new middle-grade book, Paloma Pantera: The Adventures of a Colourless Clown for you to read or listen to for FREE! 
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