Blacky bear loved painting. He would draw pictures during his free time. And sometimes when he drew during class, he would get a scolding from his teacher.
Blacky loved drawing sceneries like sunrises and snow-clad mountains. He drew flowers, plants and trees. He needed colours and brushes to finish these paintings.
But whenever he asked his parents for them, they would not buy them and instead tell him, he should concentrate on his studies.
At school, other children were busy with their studies that they hardly looked or paid any attention to Blacky’s drawings.
Blacky continued to draw different pictures to fulfil his hobby.
Everyone was fond of the banyan tree in the forest of Champakvan. Blacky would sit in its shadow and make drawings. Whenever Blacky felt sad, he would take his drawing book and sit in the shade of the banyan tree and draw.
The banyan tree would be pleased to see Blacky drawing.
One day, the banyan tree said to Blacky, “Blacky, you make such good drawings! I’m such a big tree! Can you draw me on that small paper?”
Blacky was happy that someone praised his drawing.
“Yes, Banyan tree! I can draw you! But I will need some time for that,” he replied.
That evening he went to draw the banyan tree.
One day, it rained heavily so Blacky could not go out.
Sitting at home, Blacky was drawing when his father came.
His father said, “What are you doing, Blacky? You keep drawing something or the other all the time. Pay attention to your studies. Only your studies will be helpful, not these drawings!”
Blacky stopped drawing and opened a book.
The banyan tree waited for Blacky to show the drawing.
But since Blacky had exams at school, he could not visit the banyan tree.
Once his exams were over, he went to the banyan tree to show him the drawing.
The banyan tree praised the drawing a lot. He said, “Blacky, why don’t you send your drawings to Champak magazine? They often have drawing competitions and you should participate.”
Blacky had no idea about it. The banyan tree would often read stories in Champak, so he was aware of it.
The banyan tree gave Blacky the address of Champak magazine and asked him to send his drawing there.
Blacky sent his drawing to Champak and won the first prize. Everyone in Champakvan loved his artwork!
As a prize, he received the same colours and brushes, which he often asked his parents to buy for him.
The news that Blacky was a great artist spread through the forest like wildfire.
At the assembly hall in school, the headmistress honoured Blacky by calling him on stage, giving him a prize and the title of ‘The King of Art’.
Blacky’s parents realised their son’s talent and promised to support him along with his studies.
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