The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible - Bastiat Institute

92
Chapter 17 • The Special Interest Carnival
Then the Circle Master smiled again and announced, “Now you
will see how you are rewarded.” And he suddenly dropped fi ve
kayns into the lap of one participant. The lucky recipient screamed
with glee.
“You won’t be the only winner,” declared the Circle Master. And
so it was. Ten times he went around the group, collecting one kayn
from each person. After each round, he dropped fi ve kayns into the
lap of one of the participants, and each time the recipient jumped
for joy.
When the shouting stopped and the participants began to fi le out,
Jonathan ran around to the front of the tent to see if everyone was
really satisfi ed. The woman at the entrance held the tent fl ap open.
She stopped one of the participants as he shuffl ed out on his knees
and asked: “Did you have fun?”
“Oh sure!” the man said, grinning happily. “It was terrifi c!”
“I can’t wait to tell my friends,” said another. “I may come back
again later.”
Then another excited participant added, “Yes, oh yes. Everyone
won a prize of fi ve kayns!”
Jonathan thoughtfully watched the group as they dispersed. The
woman turned to the Circle Master, who waved his good-bye to the
crowd, and commented quietly, “Yes, we’re especially happy. We
won fi fty kayns and these suckers all feel happy about it! I think that
next year we ought to ask the Council of Lords to pass a law that
will require everyone to play!”
Just then an usher sneaked behind Jonathan and grabbed him
by the collar. “Hold on there, you scamp. I saw you peeking in the
back. You thought you could get a free show, did you?”
“I’m sorry,” said Jonathan, struggling to get out of the usher’s
grasp. “I didn’t realize you had to pay just to watch. That pretty
lady made it sound so interesting – and I didn’t have enough money,
please...”
The Circle Master scowled at Jonathan and the usher, “No
money?”
But the woman smiled at Jonathan’s compliment. “Wait, turn
him loose,” she smoothly said to the usher. “He’s just a kid. So you
liked the show, did you?”