fiction - brigits_flame - Blue Barn

[hwango]

“Okay class, that should be enough time. I’m going to come around and see how all of you did.”

A few children put down their crayons and wait, but most keep going – layering on more waxy color to try to make the sky even more blue, adding a few fanciful apples to the trees, or perhaps hastily squeezing in another cow. Simon carefully adds a few more spots to the leopard hiding under the tractor.

The teacher murmurs various noncommittal encouraging things to each child as she passes them, gradually making her way towards Simon’s desk. Eventually, she reaches him, and is quiet for a long moment. Then she sighs.

“Simon, I’m…I’m not sure you really understood the assignment.”

Simon doesn’t have a reply for this.

“You were supposed to draw a picture of the farm we visited on our field trip.”

Simon looks around the room at the pictures his fellow classmates have drawn. They are full of blobby black and white things that were probably supposed to be cows, lollipop-shaped trees with chocolate brown trunks, and crazily-smiling stick figure farmers, all rendered with garish primary colors.

Simon’s picture features depth, perspective, and a soft color palette that sooths the soul. However, it also contains giraffes, a Ferris wheel, and a Saturn rocket launching in the background.

The teacher sighs again. “Never mind, it’s a lovely picture. But next time, try to stick to what you actually saw, okay?” She moves on to the next child, Alice.

Alice’s picture is much more in keeping with the rest of the class. She has colored the barn in her picture blue, but that hardly seems worth mentioning compared to what Simon has done.

“Nice job, Alice,” the teacher says, and heads back towards the front of the classroom.

While the teacher’s attention is elsewhere, Simon smiles to himself.

Mission accomplished.

Comments

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what Simon was trying to do... inveigle Alice to be a bit different as well? or allow her to be 'got off' by Teacher for painting her barn blue as Simon's tigers under tractors was so bizarre. Anyway, he achieved what he set out to do. And what a different take on that prompt... I love the little ways you slip the prompts in... great story and I think I should enjoy the class pictures!!! Especially Simon's.

[hwango.livejournal.com]

The second one - Alice gets a free pass because Simon has raised the bar so high for what counts as not accurately drawing the scene as it was. It's probably too subtle, but I was literally writing this at the last minute. If only I'd settled on an idea sooner (also considered were Sad Barn, Accidental Wandering into Alternate Universe Farm, and of course Paranoid Conspiracy Theorist Neighboring Farms).

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was the 'idea' I had formed but didn't put it into the right words. Nice of him...

But Oh also, a sad barn, the AU barn and the last one...I am giggling stupidly and I think you SHOULD try the latter because it really could be a Hwanog beaut!!!!! The things you come up with.... pure genius! thanks for the enjoyingment! Blue.

[esme-amelia.livejournal.com]

I like Simon. If I were the teacher I would encourage his creativity instead of slamming it down.

[subieko.livejournal.com]

Awww, so cute how he helps Alice out. XD Very clever use of the prompt!

[silverflight8.livejournal.com]

Heh, I like your little twist at the end and how you fit the prompt in!