
Transcriber's Note:
By - JERRY SOHL
Illustrated by KOSSIN
A weary newspaper copy‑editor finds his routine shattered when a mischievous, mouse‑like creature materializes from the guts of his typewriter, turning ordinary typing into a bizarre showdown of poetry, iambs and tiny teeth. The encounter leaves him fired on the spot and thrust into a world he never imagined—one where circus life and odd jobs become his new reality. As he trades ink‑stained desks for the bright lights of the big top, the story blends dry newsroom humor with a splash of off‑beat science‑fiction wonder.
Through witty narration and vivid scenes, the narrator wrestles with frustration, temptation, and the strange camaraderie of fellow performers. He discovers that the circus isn’t just a refuge but a place where his restless spirit finally feels at home, even as the mysterious creature’s riddles linger in the background. The opening act sets a tone of clever absurdity, inviting listeners to follow a reluctant hero into a colorful, unpredictable adventure.
Language
en
Duration
~16 minutes (16K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Apr 12, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1913–2002
Best known for his sharp science fiction and television work, this versatile writer helped shape mid-century genre storytelling on the page and on the screen. His career stretched from magazine fiction to scripts for landmark series including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and Star Trek.
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