Strength and Fragility

The circus was brilliant. Four young acrobats, doing acrobatical acts. Sometimes with eggs.

The audience was thrilled.

Everyone filed out.

That was amazing! said Margaret.

Super! agreed Violetta.

And the semiotics? asked David. What did you think about them?

What semiotics? asked Margaret. I don't even know what that means.

It's the study of the meanings of signs, said Gaius, helpfully.

Is it indeed? Well if you're such a clever clogs, what were these signs? asked Margaret.

I don't know, admitted Gaius. I was too busy watching the show.

When one of them made paper cranes, said Violetta. Representing peace and good fortune.

I thought they just represented time out to give them a breather, said Margaret.

That is a perfectly valid interpretation of a signifier, said David. Well done, Margaret.

Margaret felt pleased. She cast about for more signifiers. Her thoughts turned to the eggs.

And the eggs! she said. They represent strength and fragility.

That's the SHIT, Margaret, said Violetta approvingly.

Pardon? said Margaret.

It's an expression, said Violetta. Don't you know what it means?