Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Painter of Invisible Landscapes

(symbolize the unseen depths of depression.)

Once upon a time, in a bustling seaside town where the salty breeze carried the scent of adventure, there lived a painter named Nissa. Her home was a small, weathered cottage perched on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the endless expanse of the ocean. Nissa was unlike any other artist in the land. Her canvases, at first glance, appeared blank, devoid of color or form. Villagers would often pass by, shaking their heads in bewilderment at the sight of her seemingly empty works.

But Nissa knew a secret that few could comprehend. Her paintings were not empty; they were filled with the most vivid and enchanting landscapes, visible only to those who dared to look closely, with their hearts as much as their eyes.

Nissa's journey as an artist began in her childhood. She would spend hours wandering the rocky shores, watching the waves crash against the cliffs, the seagulls soaring high above, and the sun setting in a blaze of colors. She saw beauty in the smallest details, in the places where others saw nothing. Her heart was a wellspring of colors and emotions, and she longed to share this hidden world with others.

One day, as Nissa sat on the beach, her fingers stained with the hues of her imagination, an old woman approached her. The woman's eyes were kind but filled with a deep sorrow. She watched Nissa paint for a while before speaking.

"Child, what do you see in the world that others do not?" the old woman asked.

Nissa looked up, her eyes sparkling with the light of a thousand unseen suns. "I see the beauty that lies beneath the surface, the colors that dance in the shadows, the landscapes that whisper their secrets to those who listen."

The old woman nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You have a gift, Nissa. But remember, not everyone will see what you see. Some will look at your work and see only emptiness. Do not be disheartened, for those who truly see will find a world beyond their wildest dreams."

Years passed, and Nissa's reputation as the painter of invisible landscapes grew. People traveled from distant lands, drawn by the mystery of her art. Some came with skepticism, others with hope. They would stand before her canvases, their brows furrowed in confusion. But those who looked closely, who allowed their hearts to open, would gasp in wonder as the hidden worlds revealed themselves.

One such visitor was a young man named Elias. He had heard tales of Nissa's extraordinary paintings and had traveled many miles to see them for himself. Elias was a dreamer, but life had weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he had begun to lose sight of the magic he once believed in.

When Elias first stood before Nissa's canvas, he saw nothing but a blank surface. Frustration welled up within him, and he turned to leave. But something made him pause. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let his heart guide him. When he opened his eyes again, he saw it—a breathtaking landscape, filled with vibrant colors and ethereal light. Tears streamed down his face as he realized the beauty that had been hidden from him.

Elias spent many days in Nissa's cottage, learning to see the world through her eyes. He discovered that the landscapes she painted were reflections of the unseen depths within himself, places he had long forgotten. With each new painting, Elias found a piece of himself, a fragment of the dreams he had lost.

Nissa and Elias became close friends, bound by their shared understanding of the invisible worlds. Together, they created a gallery where people could come and experience the magic of Nissa's art. The gallery became a sanctuary for those who felt unseen, a place where they could find solace and wonder.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Elias found Nissa sitting alone by the cliff's edge, staring out at the sea. He sat beside her friend, silent for a long while.

"Nissa," Elias finally spoke, his voice gentle, "I see the darkness in your eyes. You have given so much of yourself to others, but who sees the landscapes within you?"

Nissa's eyes filled with tears. "I paint to show others the beauty they cannot see, but I fear I have lost sight of my own."

Elias took Nissa's hand, holding it tightly. "You are not alone. Just as you have helped others see the hidden worlds within themselves, let us help you find the light in your own darkness."

Together, they returned to the gallery. Elias gathered the townsfolk, those who had been touched by Nissa's art. They stood before her canvases, looking closely, with their hearts as much as their eyes. Slowly, the hidden landscapes began to reveal themselves, not just to them, but to Nissa as well.

In that moment, Nissa realized that the beauty she had shared with the world was still within her, waiting to be seen. The darkness did not disappear, but it was no longer all-consuming. She found strength in the connections she had made, in the understanding and compassion of those who had learned to see.

In that bustling seaside town, where the salty breeze carried the scent of adventure, the magic of Nissa's art continued to touch the lives of all who came to see, with their hearts as much as their eyes. And the tale of Nissa, the painter of invisible landscapes, was passed down through generations, a timeless reminder that the most beautiful things in life are often those that cannot be seen, but felt, even in the darkest of times.