Parents' Guide to The Farmer and the Clown

An older farmer with a long, white beard is working in his field when he sees something fall or jump off a passing circus train. Soon a small, young clown makes his way over to him and does some cheery clowning, then hugs the farmer's legs. The farmer holds the boy's hand and walks him to his home, where he lives alone. They have a meal and wash up, and the farmer puts the clown to bed. In the morning, the farmer does his own clowning tricks to amuse the boy, feeds him, and then takes him to the barn and field to help with the chores. The two head off for a picnic but see the circus train coming on the horizon. The farmer returns the boy to his clown family, but before the train pulls away the little clown runs back and gives the farmer a big hug. In a subtle touch, they switch hats (the farmer walking back in the tall, pointy, red conical one). The final twist: Unbeknownst to the farmer, the circus monkey is now following him home.