I Need a Rodeo Clown

I need a rodeo clown. A rodeo clown and a rodeo announcer. One to cover for me, to attract the attention of the bull away, putting himself between a charging bull and the stunned rider on the ground. One to yell at me, over the loudspeaker.

We watched one summer, a bull rider get bucked off, but his hand did not come loose from the rope around the bull. So he flapped around by his hand tied onto a 2,000lb angry bull. Here we saw the clown and the announcer working together to save the rider. The clown jumped in, circling, getting closer, distracting the bull. A few other clowns joined in, each trying to get close enough to pull that rope which would loosen the rider's hand. Covering for each other, getting the bull's attention off those close to him, putting their bodies between the bull and the weaker ones.

Then the announcer. He dropped all his showman's voice, stopped talking to the watching crowd, stopped telling how great the rider was or what was his nickname or credentials. Instead, in a very firm, commanding voice, he said, "Hang on, son, stay on your feet. Stay on your feet son, we're coming for you!" And the rider tried. It was a voice which made you pull everything you had in you out in an effort to obey it. He bounced around for awhile, but then he went limp. Again, the announcer was very calm and insistent, "Son, wake up, get back on your feet. We're right here with you!"

Finally, a clown got close enough to pull that rope, which let the passed out rider slide to the floor in a motionless heap. Another clown jumped between him and the bull again, yelling and hitting the bull in the face before jumping away. The enraged bull chased the clown, and the other clowns grabbed the rider and dragged him to safety. At the rails, the rider lifted his head slightly. Only then, did the crowd let out its breath and begin to make noise... but not before the announcer's voice came through in a relieved sigh, "Thank-you Jesus!"

I need a rodeo clown and an announcer today. Someone cover for me and someone yell at me. I'm not staying on my feet.


I think the last picture says it well.