The circus was coming to Mexico City and everybody was excited. Well, everybody except for the animals. Living your life in a cage and traveling from city to city is no fun for a wild animal. Eduardo, or Eddie as his friends called him, was a bear who had been with the circus since he was a cub. He had tried to escape many times in the past. But this time he honestly believed things would be different in Mexico and soon he'd be free.

Francesco's Mom had sent him to the market to pick up some fruits and vegetables. He saw the train transporting the animals and ran over to get a closer look. As he rushed towards the train, he stumbled sending his basket flying into the air. The conductor hit the brakes seconds before he was about to flatten Francesco. All of the fruits and vegetables were strewn all over the ground. With his heart pounding, Francesco decided to run home before he got into more trouble leaving the basket behind.

When Francesco arrived home he was worried that his Mom would be angry at him for leaving the fruits and veggies behind. But when he got to front door he found a basket overflowing with fruits and vegetables. A puzzled Francesco looked around before walking inside with the basket. "Good job Francesco! You got everything I asked for. What a wonderful son!" his Mom exclaimed. "Go wash up. We're going to have dinner soon." "Sí Mamá" Francesco responded still confused about the basket.

Francesco ate his dinner, helped wash the dishes, and then watched a little T.V. with his Dad. He had had a long day and was starting to get sleepy so he decided to go to bed. "Buenas Noches Mamá! Buenas Noches Papá! Buenas Noches Señor Oso! Señor Oso?" "Don't scream kid. My name is Eddie and I escaped from a traveling circus." "What are you doing here?" "I need somewhere to hide tonight so they don't send me back to the circus. They are so mean to me." "Okay, but just for tonight. I'm not allowed to have pets."

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Eddie spent the night sleeping beside Francesco's bed. When it was time for breakfast he told Eddie to wait in his room. Francesco quickly finished his breakfast and ran upstairs. He waited until his parents were out of sight before he sneaked outside with Eddie. In order to get him on the bus, Francesco put a Lucha Libre mask on Eddie's head as they hustled out the front door. "Buenos días Señor Lopez." Mr. Lopez was always cranky in the morning and never talked to anyone. So far, so good.

"Buenos días class!" "Buenos días Señor Ramos!" "Um, who are you?" "My name's Eddie. I'm new here and this is my first day." "You look more like a bear in a Lucha Libre mask than a student." "He's with me" Francesco called out. "His parents asked me to help him at his new school." "Uh, alright. Have a seat Eddie." The big bear couldn't fit in his desk so he stood in the back. Mr. Ramos had seen it all during his teaching career but this was definitely a first "Think it's time to switch to decaf" he muttered.

"You're in for a treat today boys and girls. We have a special guest. Allow me to introduce Ceremonias Salazar from Circo Misterio." "Hola. I have tickets for everyone to see tonight's performance" Salazar told the class. "Hooray!" Francesco noticed that Eddie was starting to shake. Salazar was the Ringmaster from the circus that Eddie had escaped from the previous day. Before he bolted out the door Eddie locked eyes with Salazar who twirled his mustache and laughed. Francesco followed close behind. "Get back here!" Mr. Ramos yelled.

The pair had ran out into the middle of the dessert. "Eddie! Wait up!" "You can't let him take me back there. They make us do tricks and treat us so badly" Eddie whimpered as tears fell from his eyes. "I won't let that happen to you amigo. I don't like the circus either. My parents brought me to one when I was only 5 and the look on the animals' faces made me cry." "What am I going to do? There aren't many bears here in Mexico and I can't live with you." "I'll figure something out. I just need a little time."

The two friends were so deep in thought that they didn't notice the helicopter hovering overhead. A huge net was dropped from the chopper trapping the pair. Soon they found themselves airborne as the helicopter transported them back to the circus. Waiting for them inside the tent was the cruel Ringmaster. "After this little stunt Eddie, I'm going to make you perform even harder. And if you refuse, then I won't let your little friend go free." "I'm so sorry Francesco." "We're in this together Eddie. We'll find a way outta here."