What an extravagant function it was! The huge art gallery of 'Paintopia' was oozing with none but his paintings. He was standing in the middle having the sole attention of unbelievable crowd. He opened his mouth to initiate his speech. People's breaths hitched, a sound came...
'Argh! Oomph!' No this wasn't how Chester was going to deliver his speech on the auspicious day. When he'll be rewarded with 'The Best Painter of Paintopia'. Confused wrinkles popped up and his eyelashes fluttered. Sluggishly, he opened his eyes seeing not the grand scene earlier. But, mere his small cottage all loaded with his paintings.
'Again!' Chester sighed. He would see this same dream everyday. And would fall from the bed too as today. His bed was short, his house was short, his wage was short and of course Chester himself was really short. But, that didn't stop him from seeing large dreams. Seeing himself as one of the legendary painters, Paintopia has blessed the world with.
The sunrays were all spread in his house shimmering his paintings artistically. The dust particles were playing randomly in beams. Watching, Chester beamed with glee. 'Size doesn't matter to be and make others joyous' he reminded himself staring at the tiny particles.
One day he too will capture such beauty of nature on the paper in front him. One day.... He promised himself. But for now, he must get up from the floor and head to 'Dafodills', an art studio where he was a helper of Mr. Luke Collins, one of the finest painters of 'Paintopia'.
Chester rose up and scurried to get ready 'cause as usual today too he was late, once again. With his short height, he would face difficulty in basic everyday tasks. Although, his house was set as per his convenience, the world wasn't.
The words Mr. Luke would yell at him for being clumsy, dysfunctional and what not would cringe him. Yet, he never took them on heart. Chester knew Mr. Luke was a short tempered man who was blessed with everything. Looks, intelligence, luck and immeasurable love from people for his paintings. He was perfect and that made him demand perfection from others.
Chester would never mind him finding flaws in his paintings. But, he used to get hurt hearing rash comments about his height, his appearance. He could never fathom why people would judge you on basis of things you don't have control upon.
What's your achievement whether you're born pretty, smart or rich? Perceptions should be made upon individual's achievements not blessings. Chester shook his head disapprovingly. He was getting late. His work and canvas was waiting for him.
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"It's truly incredible, Priscilla!" Queen of fairyland praised Priscilla, the fairy of Painting wholeheartedly. She gave a gentle bow and a genuine smile in return.
"The progress in the art painting on the earth is admirable. You have been working really great." She added.
"That's heartening to know. But, I want to see who truly loves and cares for this art." Fairy Priscilla seemed thoughtful.
"Then see on your own." Queen fairy spoke with a glint in eyes.
"You mean..." Perplexity dripped through her words.
"Indeed, I mean it." Queen fairy smiled.
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'Dafodills' Art studio had anytime been filled with hustle and bustle. Its location was in the heart of 'Paintopia'. It's owner, Mr. Luke, one of finest painter of 'Paintopia' was another reason of its popularity. People were crazy about his love for aesthetics and his artistic ways to bring beauty in works.
As every morning, he was working on one of his pieces. Last stroke and done! Luke was gazing at his masterly painted piece with contentment and of course pride. It was perfect. He never settled for less.
"Ches!" His voice boomed but no reply came. As everyday Chester hadn't come yet. It was only for he was so short about 3 feet whatever that Luke had appointed him. So that, Chester could feed himself. Otherwise, he would never let him enter in his picturesque studio, distorting its beauty.
"Excuse me, Mr. Err..." A shaken voice broke his reverie.
Mr. Luke swirled his neck. There wasn't a creature in not only Paintopia but also other neighborhood towns who didn't know his name. He didn't found it amusing rather angering.
"Yes, I'm Mr. Luke, 'The Best Painter Of The Year' of 'Paintopia'. How may I help you." He replied with pride laced tone.
"Ah! Yes, you, Mr.Duke! I want you to paint me." That elderly lady replied in her screechy voice.
It cringed him. Her rag like clothes, blemishfull face, dirty shoes and screechy voice. Keeping face straight he responded,
"I do not paint for anyone, madam. However, this whole studio is mine. You can pick whatever you want and buy..."
"No no no Duke, I want you to paint me not for me. I can pay any price you demand." The lady waved her hand dismissively.
But Mr. Luke wasn't seeing her gestures. He was seeing red. His seething anger broke his facade of gentlemanliness.
"You, old lady, out of my studio now! You think you can buy this heavenly art with handful of gold coins? Do you even know what art painting is? This Luke and any other artist over there tries to capture this infinite beauty nature is embedded with not some ugly faces like you."
His voice was too loud. But, surprisingly the elderly lady didn't speak anything. With one last blazing glare, she spun around too quickly for her age and stormed outside. With her speed and anger, she didn't see short Chester on her way. She dashed with him and both stumbled. But, poor Chester landed on floor.
It was his second time in few minutes to fall on earth. He moaned with pain. That's when the lady noticed him.
"Are you alright, child?" She asked concerned.
"Yes madam. Are you?" Chester got up taking help of her forwarded hand.
"What made you walk in such a hurry?" He asked politely.
Calming a bit, she answered," I am in hurry. I have to find a painter who will draw and paint me. But, painters here think no one will paint me. Do you know anyone who is more focused on art than appearance?"
"I... I can paint you, madam." He talked taking a deep breath. The lady was amazed.
*****************************
It amazed her to find where Chester painted at. It was an extremely beautiful location amidst the river and the mountain on the verge of 'Paintopia'. He was all set. Brushes, colors, papers and a specially designed wooden stool on which he could paint despite his height.
Chester was way too ecstatic for this was his first professional painting. He was doing his best and pouring all his heart in his work. He worked at 'Dafodills' in day time and at every dusk, they both gathered at the foot of mountain.
The awkwardness in atmosphere was gone long before. They were friends now. Chester knew that this lady was something else beneath her shabby exterior. So kind, warm and mostly had profound knowledge about painting. They discussed every night when coming back at Paintopia. And, he loved each bit of it.
Chester had grown much of a painter after his encounter with this lady. It was last day of their deal. The sky was bathed in beautiful shades of orange when he reached there. Never in his life, had he seen such a wonderful dusk. He gaped at the view. The golden rays had glittered the flowing river.
That lady was seated on bay looking lovingly at the sky too focused. Chester quickly took brushes and started his strokes each finishing the painting beyond perfection. And lo!
It was ready. His master piece was ready. The painting was beautiful and suddenly so was the lady pictured in it.
She wasn't the shabby lady outside 'Dafodills' but an epitome of beauty. Never in his life had he saw or imagined such gorgeous lady. Flapping his lashes too fast, he looked up and....
In front of him was no longer that old lady but this gorgeous lady identical to his painting. Perplexed was an understatement. Seeing Chester the lady smiled kindly and said,
"Yes Ches, you've painted me, Priscilla, the fairy of painting. I had heard so much of your town Paintopia that made me come to see its painters. But, no one was a true painter. Surely, they had mastered some strokes but never understood the depths of painting. They thought that capturing beauty of surrounding is what painting is. But no, only you understood meaning of painting or any art. That is to give joy. You painted me to make me happy. You used your art for sake of others happiness, the ultimate goal of an artist.
For painting me, I am rewarding you sky, the infinite canvas for painting. You can paint with each breath you intake sitting on this mountain and will be known as 'The Legend Of Tall Mountain!"
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Since, that day Chester has been painting the sky with his breaths. We see what's inside us on the sky. What do you see?
1500 words!
Hey everyone,
This is my humble attempt for the forth contest of childrensfiction.
I hope you'll like it!
Kindly, Vote - Comment - Share
Till next time...
Yours Truly,
ButteryButteryfly5
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