Hello Friends!
I have a story for you....













THE PAINTER

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under
the mentorship of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his
knowledge of the skills he had been taught, so he decided to give it his best try ever.

He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.

Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to display it on a busy
street-square of that small town he was a resident of. He wanted the people's
opinion about his painting skills.

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board
which read-"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this
profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc.
Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

When he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely
shattered to see that whole canvas was filled with Xs (crosses) and some
people had even written their comments on the painting itself.

Disheartened and broken completely he went to his teacher's place and burst
into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his teacher about what
happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with
marks everywhere. Such was the state that colors were not visible, the only
thing that could be seen were crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and his teacher heard him saying "I'm
useless and if this is all I have learned, I'm not worth becoming a
painter. People have rejected me completely. I'll never paint again!"

His teacher smiled and suggested "My son, I will prove that you are a great
artist and have learned to paint flawlessly." The young man couldn't believe
it and said, "I have lost faith in myself, and I don't think I am good enough.
Please don't give me false hope..."

"Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work! " the teacher told him.

"Just paint an exactly similar painting once again for me and give it to me.
Will you do that please?" Teacher instructed.

The young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later in the early morning he
presented a replica of his earlier painting to his teacher.
The teacher took it into his hands with much care and smiled.

"Come with me." Teacher said.

They reached the same street-square in the early morning and displayed the same
painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which
read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this
profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes, etc. I have
put a box with colors and brushes just below it. Please do me a favor, If you
see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."
Teacher and his student walked back home.

They both visited the place the same evening. Young painter was surprised to
see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. But teacher
wasn't satisfied as yet and he told his student, "Maybe one day was too
little a time for people to come up with ideas and take out time out of
their busy schedules to correct it, so let us keep it here for one more day.
Tomorrow is the end of the week, so we can expect some corrections coming in."

Next day again they visited and found the painting remained untouched.
They say the painting was kept there for a month, yet no correction came in!

It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. -- Author Unknown•

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Blessings to you & yours! -Rev.Debbie ♥