As the sun began to set on the Central Coast Renaissance Festival, the performers started to pack up their costumes and props, and the crowds began to disperse. Among the performers was a ragged-looking pirate named Raggedy Redbeard, who was sitting on a hay bale in one corner of the festival ground.
Raggedy Redbeard had been performing his pirate act all day, but now he was tired and hungry. He had not
had much success in gathering an audience, as most people were busy watching the more popular acts. He felt a little dejected as he watched the other performers pack up their things and leave.
Just then, a young girl dressed as a princess approached him and asked, “Are you a real pirate?”
Raggedy Redbeard straightened up and put on his best pirate accent. “Aye, lass, I be the fiercest pirate on the seven seas.”
The girl smiled and sat down next to him on the straw bale. “What’s it like being a pirate?”
Raggedy Redbeard sighed and looked out over the empty festival ground. “It’s not as glamorous as it seems, lass. It’s a life of danger and uncertainty. You never know when you might be caught by the navy or attacked by other pirates.”
The girl listened intently as Raggedy Redbeard shared his stories of life on the high seas. She could see the passion in his eyes as he spoke, and she realized that he was more than just a ragged-looking performer. Despite the fact that his performance didn’t attract many viewers, the little girl was captivated by his tales.
As the festival ground became completely deserted, the girl stood up and said goodbye to Raggedy Redbeard. She thanked him for sharing his stories and promised to come back to see him perform again next year.
Raggedy Redbeard smiled and watched the girl walk away. He felt a little less dejected now, knowing that at least one person had appreciated his performance. He was happy that he was able to entertain and inspire the young girl with his stories, even if his act wasn’t as popular as he had hoped. He got up from the hay bale, picked up his bag of props, and made his way out of the festival ground, feeling a little less ragged than before. As he walked, he couldn’t help but think that maybe next year he would have more success in gathering an audience, but he knew that no matter what, he would always perform with passion and enthusiasm, just like he did for the little girl.
Meet Raggedy Redbeard and scores of other colorful characters at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival on July 15 & 16 in San Luis Obispo’s Laguna Lake Park . Get tickets here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.