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In a surprising twist on an old story, some performers, including a ferret, have run away FROM the circus. Why? Because relentless rain made them "depressed."

The news comes out of the Russian city of Chita, where the Siberian Circus has been battling the elements for weeks.

Constant rainfall is hampering the circus' ability to entertain their audience, and a few of the animal performers - the weasel, a monkey and a red-breasted parakeet - ran away.

Circus officials are speculating that the endless rain over the last few weeks caused the ferret to make a break, and the monkey and parakeet saw their chance and took it. The monkey was found in a nearby doghouse, snuggling with its occupant. The parakeet and ferret are still missing.

Handlers are upset about the parakeet. Apparently its mate is feeling blue in his absence. But they don't seem to miss the ferret at all, because it's a "terrible glutton, idle to the core." What ferret isn't?

They expect a happy ending once both animals get really hungry and make their way home, bringing a ray of sunshine back into the lives of the circus troupe and avid followers.

As far as Chita is concerned, though, the weatherman says rain is in the forecast for at least another week...