curiosity...

Odd I should find a lonely easel at the edge of the woods. A human—painting a picture of the clearing, no doubt. I drew closer to get a better look. It was blank. The paint was still there and I found it interesting that wet paint had been left on the palate, almost as if the painter had left in a hurry. Perhaps he had been startled by something—a monster? Suppose that horrid little creature should return. I ignored my gut feeling. I was more curious about this unique find.

I picked up a tube of blue oil base and slowly unscrewed the cap. I must have been squeezing the tube because a thin stream of paint fell to the ground. I could resist no longer, I squirted some of the blue onto the palate and feverishly began unscrewing the caps of the remaining tubes. Taking the tubes into my hand, I squeezed them all at once onto the palate and began mixing them together with a brush I had found lying on the ground. When I had blended my paint to the desired colors, I began to paint. I painted soft curves and striking angles, fiery eyes, a leathery snout, hair, teeth, and nails. I painted for about half an hour until I had almost finished the most incredible picture of a monster ever painted.

I was just putting on the finishing touches when suddenly I heard a noise. Before I could move, through the brush appeared the most hideous looking human I have ever seen. We both screamed and I took off into the woods leaving my self-portrait behind. He’ll have a hard time explaining that picture.