He even lets children throw pies at him!
Joe cleans up at the circus. He is very old. Joe can't do any tricks and doesn't know any jokes, but he has lots of friends and knows a special secret.
One night after the show, old Joe was cleaning up.
"There's Jolly Jack, but he doesn't look very jolly, thought Joe.
"What's wrong?" asked Joe. You look sad, Jolly Jack."
"How would you know?" growled Jack. "You have squinty eyes and the longest saddest face I've ever see!"
"Besides," he said, "I'm the funniest clown in the circus!"
"I'm old and can't see well, but I do know that just having a funny face and telling jokes won't make you truly happy," said Joe. "I even know a secret," Joe whispered.
Joe knew that Jolly Jack was only jolly when he was being a clown. But inside Jolly Jack felt sad.
Old Joe told him about how Jesus loves us and puts joy inside us, so we can be happy inside and out!
Now Jack is really happy and the children can him "Joyful Jack," because now he has joy inside and out!
...the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Neh. 8:10)
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers