The Herdswoman

This woman had a copper complexion and coarse manly hands, she was very funny too. She reminded me of my granny who died when I was 15. I still remember all her stories which were usually about the same character who'd go from a naive little boy to a wealthy merchant. Thinking back I still rejoice at how this character would rise to tremendous wealth and status all thanks to his honesty and simplicity. I wonder if those values make any sense today!

In an early episode this boy walks into a store and ,after handing in his money, asks for a loaf of bread. The store keeper takes his money and instead of bread gives him a lesson," Upon entering a place, first greet" The boy walks home empty-handed, but many years later this lesson saves his life. As a fledgling trader he travels with a caravan, In a sweltering day they get stranded on a desert which has got only one water well inhabited by a man-eating ghoul. Climbing down the well the boy greets first, and then asks for water. The ghoul points to the heap of skulls in the corner, and says "...of all these people you are the first to greet me! your reward is your life, water, and hairs you can burn whenever you need me."

In a world of 3-D TV and X-Box entertainment I wonder if kids today are capable of appreciating stories. I guess I would have never become an artist, had it not been for all those imaginative tales I got to hear from my grandmother. God bless her! I dedicate this painting to her soul.