I found this story amusing and thought provoking.

[Wallydraigle]

The Despair of Loneliness

John Summerfield Wimbish



One evening in 1808 a gaunt, sad-faced man entered the offices of Dr. James Hamilton in Manchester, England. The doctor was struck by the melancholy appearance of his visitor. He inquired:

Doctor: "Are you sick?"

Man: "Yes, Doctor, sick of a mortal malady."

Doctor: "What malady?"

Man: "I am frightened of the terror of the world around me. I am depressed by life. I can find no happiness anywhere, nothing amuses me, and I have nothing to live for. If you can't help me, I shall kill myself."

Doctor: "The malady is not mortal. You only need to get out of yourself. You need to laugh; to get some pleasure from life."




Man: "What shall I do?"

Doctor: "Go to the circus tonight to see Grimaldi, the clown. Grimaldi is the funniest man alive. He'll cure you."

A spasm of pain crossed the poor man's face as he said:

"Doctor, don't jest with me. I am Grimaldi."

 

[SWScorch]

I've heard it before. Makes you wonder about all the "clowns" you know and laugh with in everyday life.

 

[StageLeft]

This is thought provoking and stirs the skeletons in my closet!

 

[moshquerade]

Clowns are just spooky with a painted on smile and all. brrrrr