In Search of Goliathus Hercules by Jennifer Angus

flames unsinged, then so could they!
    “We have to be brave like the lions,” said Maria.
    “Well, we’re much better jumpers than those cats,” said Sophia. “It would be easy to jump through twenty rings.”
    Henri laughed. “That would be great, but I don’t think we’ll have room for that many. I think six rings would be good, and then it should be easy enough for even Pedro and Pablo to jump through them.”
    “Good point,” said Sophia. “Those two nincompoops!” he heard her mutter.
    Just then Henri heard the sound of scuffling shoes behind him. He turned around and saw a clown watching him from a few feet away. Sophia and Maria scurried for cover in his hair as he had instructed them to do if anyone came around. He wasn’t sure whether they had been fast enough, though.
    “Talking to yourself?” the clown asked.
    “Um, yes,” stammered Henri.
    “That’s a sign of craziness. Are you going mad?” the clown jeered.
    Henri realized first that the clown was a girl, and second, that she was probably no older than him. He didn’t feel so intimidated now.
    “That’s right. I’m the crazy flea boy!” and he made a leap toward her.
    She laughed. “So I see. And was that flea language you were speaking? I couldn’t understand a word you said.”
    Henri had never really thought about it before. Speaking to insects came so naturally to him that he had never stopped to think that it might sound any different than English. “Well, yes, of course it was.” For her amusement and also to warn the fleas, he said in what he now realized was insect talk. “Maria, Sophia, keep yourselves hidden. I think the girl may have spotted you.”
    And, indeed, she had. She laughed again and said, “You’re weird. You really are the flea boy. Henri, right? Do you always carry your fleas around with you? It’s kind of disgusting. People won’t want to be around you if they know.”
    Henri’s face fell. Drat! This was not going to improve his reputation at the circus. He decided to tell the girl the truth, though she certainly wouldn’t believe him. “No, they don’t usually travel on me, but we’re working on a new act. The fleas are going to jump through hoops of fire just like the lions. They were scared and thought it was too dangerous, so I brought them to see the show and prove to them that they can do it too.”
    “Sure, sure. OK, stop it. You don’t need to make up a big story.”
    “I knew you wouldn’t believe it,” Henri said. “But let me prove that I really am speaking to the fleas.” To Sophia and Maria he said in insect language “Girls, you can come out now. Just walk out onto my forehead. ”The clown girl listened and watched him with interest. Slowly, the fleas came out, appearing as two dots on his forehead. Then Henri held out his hand and said again in insect speech to them, “Would you mind jumping onto my hand?” In a second, the two fleas sat in the palm of his hand.
    “Wow! I don’t know how you did that. I can’t believe you’re really talking to them. You must be some kind of magician. Good job! I’m Robin, by the way.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Robin. Why don’t you come by the flea circus sometime and see our show. If you come tomorrow, you can see the new rings of fire act, and then you’ll know that I was telling the truth.”
    “You really want me to believe you, don’t you?”
    “Well, yes, I suppose I do, but mostly I don’t want the circus folk to think I’m some dirty, flea-bitten boy.”
    She laughed again. “I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Lots of people around here have fleas. People don’t like to talk about them for obvious reasons. You know Billy, the lion tamer’s assistant?” Henri nodded. “He’s got fleas, for sure. I always see him scratching himself, but I don’t think less of him. It’s a—what do you call it? My dad told me…an occupational hazard!”
    “What does that mean?” asked Henri.
    “It means it’s a danger, an