Once upon a time there was a
painter who had just completed his course under disciple hood of a great
painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills so he decided
to give his best strokes on the canvass. 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 his small
town. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and 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."
While he came back in the evening
to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass
was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on
the painting.
Disheartened and broken
completely he ran to his masters place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying
inconsolably he told his master 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, only things one could see were crosses and
correction remarks.
This young artist was breathing
heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I
have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me
completely.. I feel like dying"
Master smiled and suggested
"My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a
flawless painting."
Young disciple couldn't believe
it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough..
don't give false hopes.."
"Do as I say without questioning
it.. It WILL work." Master interrupted him.
"Just paint exactly similar
painting once again for me and give it to me. Will you do that for your
master?.." Master instructed.
Young artist reluctantly agreed
and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting
to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same
street-square 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. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and
correct it."
Master and disciple walked back
home.
They both visited the place same
evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a
single correction done so far. But master wasn't satisfied as yet and he told
his disciple "May be 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 Sunday, so we can expect some
corrections coming in."
Next day again they visited and
found painting remained untouched..
They say the painting was kept
there for a month but no correction came in!
Moral of the Story: It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve