The Gutta-Percha Boy

“The Gutta-Percha Boy” is a sad tale (story) by Dmitry Vasilievich Grigorovich about a young acrobat. Petya, left without parents, was entrusted to the care of a circus performer, Karl Bekker—a cold and cruel man. Only the kind clown Eduards, who truly felt pity for the boy, at least slightly eased his harsh life. One day the children were taken to the circus, where they saw Petya’s act—his debut, which became both his first and last performance.