Ain
A challenge, late afternoon in May along the River Ain that ignores us. Will I succeed?
The sun is already hot, we have had a hearty picnic and now we are lying down, seeking a little peace. He feels like drawing and chooses a few blades of grass that look as tired as we do. He slowly closes his eyes and I see him drawing lines with his left hand. I laugh, he reopens his eyes and challenges me, why don't I draw like him instead of laughing? Of course, I reply instinctively, immediately regretting having spoken without thinking. I hate drawing, I don't want to draw, I can't draw. But... I already find myself with a pencil in my hand, an opportunity too good to miss, given that until then I had never accepted any challenge of that kind.
I stare at what I want to draw, close my eyes and repeat to myself that at worst I'll ruin a piece of paper, that perhaps it was stupid to always say no. Maybe it's because I can't see, and not seeing means I don't feel observed, either by him or by myself. When I open my eyes again, I look for his gaze before looking at the paper, and I notice amazement, love and joy. Then I look at the paper, and I'm surprised myself!
We agree that I have won this challenge.
And you, are you ready to accept a challenge?
