Once upon a time there was a boy named Anwar. He was very interested in painting and used to make beautiful paintings. It was Anwar’s dream to be an artist, but, sadly, no one in his family supported him.

Once when he was busy painting, his father saw him doing it and asked, “What are you doing my son?”

“I am painting. I want to be an artist,” Anwar politely replied to his father.

But his father, being a simple man, thought that painting was not a good way to earn one’s living. His father harshly told Anwar, “That is stupidity! You think you can earn money if you become a painter?”

Anwar replied, “Father, I don’t want money. I just want to do what I like and love!”

“What! Are you mad? After a lot of hard work, I am able to earn just enough to feed the family and you want to just sit and paint? Don’t think of any such stupid thing. If you don’t want money, then tell me, what will you do to survive? Will you eat these paintings or brushes?” Anwar’s father stated angrily and left the room.

At that time, Anwar was in class ten and wanted to become the nation’s best painter. “I don’t mind what father has said because he cares about me.

And maybe he is also right, how will I live if I don’t money. Anyways, I should not give up my hope,” Anwar thought positively.

“There is still time to make your future bright. Think of something better to do that may please your father and will also be good for your future,” Anwar’s mother suggested as she had been listening to their conversation.

Soon after Anwar’s final results were announced and he got good marks in all subjects. However, his father did not appreciate him, rather Anwar was scolded him for giving less time to studies and more to his paintings due to which he could not get the top position.

Soon Anwar became dejected with his father attitude and, out of despair, he packed all his paintings in the storeroom and threw away his painting tool. He decided not to paint from that day onwards. Time passed and he did not talk to anyone in the house and preferred staying his room. Sometimes he would take out his paintings which he had hidden away and look at them with longing.

Anwar then got admission in a college of his father’s choice and worked hard at studies. But he was sad in his heart. Soon a couple of years passed and his academic year was almost coming to an end. He was still confused about his career choice.

One day, Anwar saw an advertisement in a newspaper about a painting competition and he became very happy. It was written that the winner will get a cash prize and will also be given scholarship for studies. Anwar was not sure whether he would win it or not, but he was very happy that he was getting a chance to show his hard work to others. Just taking part in the competition seemed enough to him.

Anwar quickly went to the storeroom and brought all the paintings to his room and checked each of them. Then he selected one which he thought was the best and met all the criteria of the competition. He sent it with all his details and did not tell anyone about it.

After a week, while Anwar was in college, a postman came in his home with an envelope addressed to Anwar. His father, surprised, took it and opened it. When he read what was inside, he started smiling. There was a letter of appreciation and a cheque with a handsome amount written on it and a scholarship offer to one of the country’s best art schools for Anwar.

For the first time Anwar’s father felt very happy about Anwar’s painting skills. Anwar’s father did not tell anyone about it and waited for Anwar’s return from college. When Anwar arrived home, he saw his father standing with a big smile on his face and a set of paint bottles and lots of paintbrushes.

His father handed Anwar these gifts and the letter which had arrived. Nervously, Ahmed opened the letter and started shouting joyfully, “I am the winner!”

Then his father hugged Anwar and said, “I am proud of my son’s talent. You have showed that your dream can come true.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 13th, 2021