Unfinished Painting

Number Four

Now his enemies were furious. Enraged, they plotted to find something they could use against the painter. They rummaged through his house.

"Something suspicious definitely hides in here," one said. "But we must hurry, for he could be home or he could be near," said the other. Unfortunately, they did find something and ran to the nobleman's house, calling an audience along their way. 

"We have proof, this painter is a fraud, a liar, a spoof." The crowd gasped and the nobleman rushed with his men, to see what was the chaos beyond his doors. Behind him, was Bounty, who was just as confused. 

"What is all this? Have you lost your minds?" The nobleman seemed vexed, questioning the two men standing before him. "The painter lied to you sir, to all of us. He has no real talent. We hear that he has the eye of the Observer. And we wished to believe it, that he painted with fervor. But here's a portrait of your deceased mother, found in his very home. Who knows what he intends to do with it, respected sir." 

The crowd began to murmur and turned to the nobleman, waiting for his reaction. 

"Is this true? Did you steal my mother's portrait?" The painter put his head down. He was guilty indeed. "Only for the purpose of reference, sir. I was about to place the portrait back to where I found it. I'm sorry if this upsets you, sir." 

The nobleman took in a deep breath. He faced the crowd and said, "his painting is a masterpiece in itself. What you found was merely a little portrait. But you made it seem like he hadn't even painted it! Jealousy won't take you far, gentlemen. It will however push you into a pit, where the absence of joy, will birth a rotten heart, that knows nothing but to destroy." The two hostile men lowered their heads in embarrassment. "Go home and ponder upon your deeds!" said the councilman as he turned to go back into his house. The people passed remarks at them as they began to leave. The painter quietly slid out of there too.