Jason sits quietly on the pavement as people pass by.
He is surrounded by the tools of his trade, the juggling trade, keeping everything in the air – daily and always.
Jason has juggled with all sorts down the years – balls, sticks, knives, oranges, bean bags.
He even juggled with fire – flame torches tossed high in the air, spinning around, each one dangerously caught and sent skywards again.
He has kept the show on the road, the balls in the air, you must never drop the prop – golden rule in juggling: don’t drop the prop!
And though often tired, he has carried on, it’s nice to please, and how could he stop?
Only now Jason sits quietly on the pavement, pondering the tools of his trade and the sky above. He hasn’t looked at the sky enough.
Some stop and people him ask why he’s not juggling for them anymore.
‘Why are you just sitting there? We like you when you’re juggling!’
And he explains that he’s taking a break.
‘I’m taking a break,’ he says, remembering the words of a friend, ‘When you stop something you start something.’
He’d ignored his friend at the time, but not now, sitting on the pavement with nothing to keep in the air and no show to keep on the road – just a life to love and to ponder.
And Jason feels happy, nervous and free.
