By Luck or By Miracle

A Dystopian/Utopian Vignette

It was either by luck or by miracle that Jonah stood inside the lion’s cage when the world came down. The dust settled, and he stepped out of the Zoo, Jonah, the Ringleader of the only travelling circus in the world. That’s an enormous declaration, but since no one here could communicate with Asia, Africa, Europe, or Australia, who’d debunk him? Heck, most people didn't speak to anyone further than they could walk in one afternoon. Jonah, on the other hand, learned a great many things from the back of an elephant, and an elephant can walk indefinitely.

Jonah named his circus The Ark, and he painted it in thick black letters across the side of the one wagon piled high with blankets and warm clothes, along with the occasional tired child needing a rest. There is no train of colourful carts or wagons. This circus needs only one. Any animals that joined The Arc needed no cages, food, or water. The new world provided all their needs.

You may ask why The Ark? Jonah chose the name, not intending to collect more animals but to collect children displaced by the disaster.

Being raised in a zoo and assisting his mom, the site veterinarian, Jonah had a relationship with two hundred and fifty square kilometres of wild animals. He was a mischievous one constantly making trouble for her, but Jonah could be himself within the walls of that wild place. It was quite a joy for her to watch how seamlessly he blended in with the wild cats, bears, and monkeys. She was especially overjoyed with his relationship with Soley, the smallest of the four elephants. Before the fall, many were drawn to the Zoo to witness the wild boy on the back of the elephant. They much preferred him there than with Baloo the grizzly bear. Adults are frightened so easily. After many complaints, the zookeeper made Jonah stay clear of the carnivores when the doors were open. He too loved Baloo, but some secrets must be kept so the population could sleep soundly—those who could sleep at all.

During the short but savage war, no one bothered Jonah and his mom as they cared for the animals. Jonah stopped hearing the guns and explosions until the big one hit. He couldn’t miss that last strike before the world went quiet because it was so violent that tremors opened the cages and the stone walls collapsed around him. He was certain his mom was in with the monkeys. With help from Dennis and Roger, the silver-back gorillas, they burrowed into the mess like moles but never found any trace of her. Jonah and the animals spent many hours wailing for their fallen family and friends, but Jonah knew if the survivors were to live, he needed a plan. He wiped away the last tear he’d cry in that zoo. He stood glancing at the survivors around him, those with long claws and fangs, those with terrible odours, bad habits, or appalling cries. Who'd love these animals? Who'd care for them like his mother had? He shook his head—no one will—and began his preparations. When the food became scarce and the animals looked for a leader, Jonah climbed up onto the back of his beloved Soley, and they marched The Ark out of the zoo.

After a long day, Jonah sat under the stars in the warmth of a huge bonfire, reclined against the back of one of his great cats. Jonah was with his mom when this tiny orphaned tiger kitten arrived at the Zoo. Jonah cared for him and was the one to name him Soma. He became Jonah’s protector, although few have the guts to make trouble with a boy surrounded by beasts. Jonah fished his harmonica from his pocket and played for his found family as he did most nights. The animals huddled in closer. Some swayed, drummed, and most hummed. The voices of a hundred children carried over the treetops from where they clustered around many smaller flames in a wide arch around Jonah. Some had attached themselves to a furry one, but most cuddled up with others of their kind. Jonah was the pied piper for those smaller than him.

Sasha and Shannon, two found family members from the plains, were settled across from Jonah. The siblings are riders of horses and care for the earth-eaters. Shannon's voice soared above the others as she rocked Horace, the new kit goat born recently, into the circus. Sasha remained standing with the horses, never one for resting. He won't sleep until his herd is fed and content.

The cats and the bears were the ones who needed the most support after the fall. Being fed raw meat for their entire lives, they lacked the know-how of hunting to live. The carnivores understood that the hairless ones who walked on two feet were not a menu item and could still smell their abandoned home on the others. They would catch any small rodents they came upon, but soon their ribs peeked through their thick coats, and Jonah knew he had to teach them how to thrive in their new world. Jonah was frightened at first and hid The Arc in the foothills. But he soon understood that he was not a hunter. He too lived a life with meals provided and couldn’t find the skills needed to teach his beloved beasts.

As his ribs began protruding beneath his coat, he came upon Wanda. She was alone in the woods, living in a makeshift tee-pee. She had a strong, robust body and no fear of Jonah’s wild family. She was the one they had been praying for. Wanda had no trouble finding food and could teach the beasts what to do. Two months later, they departed the woods with fourteen-year-old Wanda—the Mother of Carnivores.

The sweet smell of apples puffed across Jonah’s shoulder before he was knocked forward in his seat. It wasn't time to rest. He waved off Soley’s trunk, and the earth quaked as she dropped down behind Soma and took hold of the tiger’s flicking tail. Jonah lifted the harmonica back to his lips.

After a long day of walking and performing for anyone they met along the way, they needed their rest. When the sun hung high in the sky, the orphans would come to watch the wild ones perform. Those without fear or mystified by the show would join the circus. They all had gifts to share and a need for family. One day they'd tire of this wandering life and would need to settle, but they weren't there yet with so many children still needing care. The Ark was alive with its spirited purpose. Like a mother, the earth forgot the pain her children caused. She forgave their misdeeds and provided The Ark with the nourishment and energy to march on. A new world sprung up like sprouts in a jar, and who'd be better to care for her new growth than children?

Jonah tossed two thick branches into the fire, glanced around at his found family, and sighed. This life was good. Sinking back into Soma, he curled his body like a snail against her warm belly. She’d leave soon to hunt, but until then he’d soak in her warmth.

A little one with black curls tiptoed over, squeezing between Jonah and the cat. She cupped his hands with ten tiny dark fingers and dropped her head onto Soma’s paw. He kissed his new sister on the forehead and settled into her small body, soon drifting off to sleep to the sound of her nose whistling its soft rhythm. “Peace and love, peace and love, peace and love...”