Child's Play

Like that kid at the fair, staring at the carousel, going round and round, round and round. The lights, the music, the beautiful characters coming to life, and you're just there, watching, wondering, wishing - I want to be part of that magic. And you see those other kids getting on, you hear their laughter, see the smiles on their faces, and you just think to yourself - how nice would that be?

So you tug on your mothers sleeve, and you beg and beg, 'Mummy, can i go ride on that carousel? pretty pretty please?' And your mom tells you, 'no child, its a waste of money, its a waste of time.' But you see the smiles, you hear the laughter, you feel the air of happiness all around and you think to yourself, how can that be a lie? But mummy said no, so you just stand at the bars watching as the other kids get on and off, on and off and you stand there daydreaming - when will it be my turn?

And so you wait. Every time you go by the fair, you tug on your mummy's sleeve again, 'Mummy, this time please?' and after the umpteenth time, your mother lets up, she hands you the money, you wait in line. So this is you, finally being able to be part of that once unattainable dream. You get on the carousel, finally, finally, finally. It comes to life. And you smile, you laugh, you're finally part of that magic like you always wanted. And all around you, its a blur, just lights. Lights so bright, its blinding.

The carousel spins faster and faster. You struggle to hold on. Suddenly its not so fun anymore. You look at the other kids, they all look back at you, no one is smiling. Where is the laughter? where are the smiles? Where have they all gone? But the music goes on. You shut your eyes. What is happening? What happened to that magic?

Everyone is screaming now. Top of their lungs. You hang on tight. Don't throw me off. I trust in you, I trust in your magic. And then you silently pray. I should have listened to those warnings, I should have listened to my mother. Waste of money, waste of time. What have I gotten myself into now?