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101 Word Short Stories

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Finger Painting

June 1, 2024 8 Comments

By Kay Lesley Reeves

Frustrated, the artist looked at his blank canvas and threw down his still-dry brush. “Today is not going to be a painting day. I have no inspiration.”

His two-year-old daughter toddled into the room, full of mischief and delight. “I paint you, Daddy,” she announced and pressed her hands onto his carefully prepared palette.

Her little face lit with pleasure, she daubed a rainbow of colour onto the naked canvas and swirled her hands around, relishing the squishy feel between her little fingers.

Laughing, the artist joined in, and between them, they covered the canvas with shared joy.

“Sold, Inspiration, £5,000.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jan says

    June 1, 2024 at 7:34 am

    I loved your “joyful” story. Because of you, I started my day with a smile. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Dart humeston says

    June 1, 2024 at 8:14 am

    A happy inspirational story well written.

    Reply
  3. Ephra Behn says

    June 1, 2024 at 8:50 am

    Beautiful. Painting ain’t bad either. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Dan Graves says

    June 5, 2024 at 8:35 am

    And a miracle, too—a painter able to afford a family.

    Reply
  5. Bud says

    June 5, 2024 at 1:20 pm

    Very nice father – daughter story!

    Reply
  6. Pat R. says

    June 7, 2024 at 7:23 am

    Beautiful story!

    Reply
  7. Chanel says

    June 11, 2024 at 12:48 pm

    The scene was endearing. Maybe I’m off the mark, but the last line felt really depressing to me (in a good way). Being able to sell art to support your family is amazing, but it also turned an internal familial moment into a product for capitalist consumption. I liked that contrast!

    Reply
  8. Sue says

    June 11, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    Shared joy, a treasure.

    Reply

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