The Butterfly Circus

"The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph." - Mr Mendez

Last November 14, our RVLC class watched a documentary film entitled The Butterfly Circus directed by Joshua Weigel. It is about a guy named Will, played by Nick Vujicic, who is a limbless man. It started on the miserable life Will had in Carnival Slide Show and moved on how it changed after he left and joined the Butterfly Circus. He does not know what the future will bring for him when he goes there, but still believed that there is something waiting for him. Mr Mendez, the guy he met at the Carnival slide show and charismatic master of butterfly circus, introduced him to the people in the circus. They accepted him as their friend and as a family as well. Upon staying in the circus, Will learned that he is not the only one who is experiencing struggles and problems in life, but also the people in the circus. Each of them has his or her own sad story. But despite of their problems like having no permanent houses or things that will sustain their needs, they still enjoy every single day in their lives by putting a smile in their faces and sharing their talents to the people. Through this, Will realized that there are many things one can do to enjoy life. One day, he and the people in the circus went to a river to bond with each other. Because of his condition, he asked the help of his friends to carry him so he can be with them. Unfortunately, his friends were not able to hear him because of their noises and his distance as well. So Will tried to walk on his own and passed the bridge to go on where the people are. While crossing the bridge, Will suddenly slipped and found himself drowning in the water. His friends noticed his absence and saw him in the water. They reached for him but stopped when they saw that Will was swimming on his own. Just then he realized that he can swim. They were all happy and celebrated his new found skills. After the happy news, Will told Mr Mendez that he wants to work to the Butterfly Circus with his skills in swimming. Mr Mendez was happy about it and gave him a chance. He performed a difficult act wherein he must climb a tall pole, then dive from the top into a small tank full of water. Will was very happy and realized that he belongs in the Butterfly Circus. He believed that despite of being a limbless man, there is something in him that can define him as an important person, and that shows the skills he has that make people happy. That made him a limbless yet talented man. Moreover, he believed God and the beauty of life that he saw in the people of Butterfly Circus.

This documentary film shows Will's life to every person who doubts himself for being an imperfect and useless person. People must believe that each has his or her own role in this life; And that is to show the beauty of God's creation through on what he is, and what he can do.

Nick Vujicic as Will