Moon Painter

Michael was not doing well in his high school classes. This caused friction between him and his parents. He knew that he possessed many strong talents, but his school was not able to see them or seek them. One evening, he saw a beautiful moon rising over the horizon. He took out his paintbrushes and set up his easel. On this night, the moon showed more detail than he had ever seen before. So he spent several hours capturing every detail in a painting.


When Michael stepped back to admire his work, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—pride. The moon, luminous and intricate, seemed almost alive on the canvas. Its craters, valleys, and seas shimmered under the glint of starlight he'd added for effect. It wasn't just a painting—it was a reflection of the focus and passion that had been bubbling inside him, waiting for the right moment to emerge.


The next morning, he hesitated but decided to take his painting to school. During his free period, he showed it to Ms. Halliday, his art teacher, who was often overlooked herself. Her jaw dropped as she examined the painting.


"Michael," she said, "this is... incredible. You've captured the texture, the mystery, the depth of the moon. This is professional-level work."

 

Michael shrugged. "Thanks, I guess. But it's just something I like to do."


"'Just something'? Michael, this isn't just something. It's a gift. As it happens, we have an art exhibition coming up next month. Would you be willing to showcase this?"

 

Michael was startled. "An exhibition? I don't know..."


Ms. Halliday leaned in. "Trust me. People need to see this."


Over the next few weeks, Michael threw himself into his art. He painted not just the moon but also the sunrise he saw one morning before school, the chaos of a thunderstorm, and the calm of his cat asleep in a sunbeam. He felt alive in a way he hadn't before, and his parents noticed too. His grades didn't magically skyrocket, but his mood improved, and the friction at home began to ease.


When the night of the exhibition arrived, Michael nervously scanned the room. His paintings were arranged neatly on a wall, each one glowing under soft lighting. A small plaque under the moon painting read: "Lunar Symphony by Michael Sanderson."


People wandered by, murmuring compliments and asking questions. One visitor, an elderly man with a sharp suit and a clipboard, lingered for a long time by the moon painting. Finally, he approached Michael.


"Young man," he said, "my name is Gerald Ellison. I curate the local art museum. This piece… it's extraordinary. Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in art?"


Michael blinked. "Uh, not really. I didn't think I was good enough."


Gerald chuckled. "Good enough? You're exceptional. We're always looking for fresh talent. If you're interested, we can talk about featuring your work in a gallery. Maybe even helping you secure a scholarship for an art program."


For the first time in years, Michael saw a path forward—not one carved by report cards or standardized tests, but by his own hands and imagination. That night, under the same moon that had started it all, he whispered, "Maybe I do have a place in this world after all."


From then on, whenever Michael saw the moon, he smiled. It had been the first to see his talent, even when the rest of the world hadn't.


(This story is donated to the public domain.  Inspiration from this YouTube video.



This story is dedicated to my 5th grade teacher, Penny Ritscher, at the American School of Paris, circa 1971.  She had an uncanny way of noticing each student's inborn talents. And, in her classroom, I noticed an exceptionally creative student, Bruce Jordan, who remains a friend of mine today.)










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Phil Shapiro, pshapiro@his.com
https://pairsmathgame.com
https://philshapirochatgptexplorations.blogspot.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/philshapiro.bsky.social

He/Him/His

"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

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