Once upon a time, in a world which seemed to be a simpler place and when happiness was more than a dream of the disillusioned, a young child watched as an old man carved a piece of wood. He watched in awe as wood shavings fell to the floor revealing hidden shapes from the block of old tree. With each deft touch the figure took shape and finally a beautiful toy horse was handed over for inspection.
“Very Good. I like this a lot” said the child with admiration.
“Never mind that you like it, Can you copy it?” came the reply, “You need to make twenty of them each day if you want to get paid!”
“I will try”
“Just do it, or there’s no room for you here!” growled the man.
The young child works hard every day carving toy horses from dawn to late at night and dreaming of a happily ever after.
Ushna Sardar
nice piece of writing!
dwireland
thanks Ushna.
nancyames
This is very good, says a lot in a few words about the artists’s perennial dilemma. I think the man is bad but – I cringe to say it – necessary(?) outside of Eden.
Peter Davidson
ah, child slavery … unsettling piece about a child’s wonder and the world’s reality.
Natella2020
Dreaming and carving. Very sad and nicely written.