"The Magic Paintbrush"

In a small, peaceful village nestled by a sparkling river, there lived a boy named Arlo. Arlo loved to paint, but he didn’t have fancy tools or expensive paints. All he had was an old, worn-out paintbrush given to him by his grandmother.

“Paint from your heart, and this brush will work wonders,” his grandmother had said.

One day, the village held its annual art competition. Everyone in the village, from children to elders, prepared their best works of art. Arlo wanted to join, but he doubted whether his simple tools could compete with the beautiful works of others.

Despite his doubts, Arlo spent his days painting under the shade of a big oak tree by the river. He painted what he loved most—the golden fields swaying in the wind, the shimmering river under the moonlight, and the joyful smiles of the villagers.

When the day of the competition arrived, Arlo hesitated at the entrance of the exhibition hall. “What if my paintings aren’t good enough?” he thought.

Encouraged by his friend Mira, who believed in his talent, Arlo displayed his three favorite paintings. As the judges walked through the exhibition, they stopped at Arlo’s paintings, their eyes wide with wonder.

“This is extraordinary!” one judge exclaimed. “It feels as though the river is flowing, the fields are alive, and the smiles are real.”

Arlo smiled shyly, his heart pounding with pride. He didn’t win first place, but his paintings earned a special recognition for their heartfelt authenticity. The villagers admired his work and encouraged him to continue painting.

From that day on, Arlo painted with even more passion, realizing that art wasn’t about the tools you used—it was about the emotions and stories you shared through it.

Exercises

1. Comprehension Questions

a. What did Arlo love to do?

b. Why did Arlo hesitate to join the art competition?

c. What inspired Arlo’s paintings?

d. What did the judges say about Arlo’s work?

e. What lesson did Arlo learn from the experience?

2. Drawing Activity

Imagine you have a magical paintbrush like Arlo. Draw a picture of something you love that comes to life in your imagination.

3. Vocabulary Practice

Match the words to their meanings:

Exhibition
Competition
Authenticity
Extraordinary
Inspiration

A. A display of artwork

B. A challenge or contest

C. True and genuine

D. Something amazing or unusual

E. A source of creative ideas

4. Writing Exercise

Write a short paragraph about what you would paint if you had a magical paintbrush. How would your painting make others feel?

5. Reflection

Why do you think it’s important to create art from the heart? Share your thoughts in a few sentences.

Comments

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