Stargazer lived in a kaleidoscope of colours such that the rainbow looked bland in comparison. In his world, blue turned into every shade of pink, and gold glittered and shimmered. There were colours neither you nor I have ever before seen or heard of – such as popilet and shimmereen, which look like falling stars and burning sunsets. Music filled Stargazer’s world with tunes as warming and comforting as a grandmother’s hug. And above the constant lullaby, sweet scents of candy floss and fudge tickled the noses of all.
Stargazer was a carousel pony and the very finest sort, for he lived on the outside of the grand, golden ring. Children licking their toffee apples would watch the painted ponies gallop and frolic in never-ending circles. And Stargazer always caught their attention. Every time a ride began, a new rider clambered onto his back at once. With sticky hands and stickier smiles, his riders held onto his golden pole, which rose from his saddle to the canopy and secured him down to the circling ground.
But every evening the carnival lights dimmed, the gates shut, the music stopped, and the last of the magic left with the last child to leave the fairground. And there, Stargazer waited in the darkened silence until the gates reopened the following day.
This particular day started as every day had done since Stargazer could remember. Crowds of excited faces peered in between the iron gates. The gates were quite a spectacle—shaped of birds and butterflies, and dragons of solid gold and crimson. Cheers roared as music blasted from the carnival organ, and the fairground master called out, ‘Roll up, roll up! We have helter-skelters, crazy mirrors, and our world-famous carousel!’
The crowd gasped as if they were watching fireworks. [End of sample, folks!]