The Story of an Aspiring Painter

An aspiring artist had just completed his training under one of the finest painters. Full of enthusiasm, he painstakingly painted a beautiful landscape.

Now he wanted feedback, so he put up the painting at a busy street-crossing. Near it, he put up a small sign that read:

I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession, I may have committed a few mistakes. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.

When he came back in the evening to collect his painting, he was completely shattered to see the whole canvass filled with crosses. Some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened, he went to his teacher. “Sir, people have rejected my work completely. My first painting ever is filled with mistakes. I don’t feel that I have done justice to your teaching. I don’t believe that I am a good artist.”

The teacher smiled "Son, don’t get discouraged with negative feedback. I will prove that you are a great artist and that your painting is perfectly executed. Just do what I say and you will see.”

The young artist agreed and two days later he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his teacher. "Come with me," said the teacher.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the replica at exactly the same place. The teacher put up a sign that read:

I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession, I may have committed a few mistakes. I have kept colors and brushes just below. If you see a mistake, please be so kind as to pick up the brush and correct it.

When the young painter visited the spot later in the evening, he was surprised to see that not even a single correction had been made. He left the painting at the square for one complete month, but no corrections were ever made!

The painter asked his teacher why there were no corrections made in the second painting even though both paintings were the same. The teacher replied smilingly, “It is easier to pass judgment and criticize what is being done, but it is difficult to improve it."

Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don’t judge yourself by unwarranted criticism.

Brilliant story with an amazing moral. Always remember this story when someone points a finger at your mistake just see if he is the right person to do so.